Ask Me Why(23)

“Thanks for noticing,” I deadpan.

He tucks a hand into his pocket. “Enough bullshitting.”

I let my jaw drop. “Because I’m the one stalling?”

“Whatever you want to call this. It’s kind of our thing. I needed to warm you up first.”

I rub my temples. “I can’t begin to imagine what you mean.”

“Braelyn.” The word sounds forced, as if just saying my name grates on his nerves.

I look up at him. “Yeah?”

He dips his chin, breaking eye contact. “There’s something I need.”

“This ought to be good,” I snort.

Brance’s stare flies up to mine. His is roaring with flames, and I instantly feel the burn. I shiver despite my attempts to control the reaction.

“I have a favor to ask,” he grinds out.

“Ask or demand?”

“Why do you have to make everything a challenge?”

“That’s rich coming from you.”

His eyes roll toward the ceiling. “Know what? Forget it.”

When he begins to turn away, I place a hand on his wrist and stop him. “What do you need, Brance?”

He’s silent for a moment, focusing on my fingers wrapped around him. I let my arm drop.

Brance straightens and adjusts his tie. He clacks his teeth together. Finally, he spits it out. “Can you watch Ollie tonight?”

I blanch, definitely not expecting that. Am I tripping? “W-what?”

“It would just be for a few hours.”

“You want to leave him here with me? Alone?” The possibility of this happening is so inconceivable that it’s jamming my circuits.

He bobs his head. “This was Ollie’s idea. Mary insists I trust you.”

At least I have their votes. But that’s not what really matters. “And what do you think?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

I want to argue that he does. But the defeat etched into his brow stops me. We stare each other down, his blue eyes boring into mine. I’m still trying to wind my brain around this unexpected twist. Who’s going to crack?

Brance scratches at the fresh stubble dotting his neck. “I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate.”

I hold up a palm. “No need to lay on the charm. I get it.”

“Mary isn’t available. I have no other feasible options.”

I jostle my hand, as if that will stop him. “Okay, I understand. You don’t have to give a list of reasons why I’m your last resort.”

His Adam’s apple bounces with a heavy swallow. “I won’t be long. Just a meeting, but it’s in the city.”

I wave him off. Clearly this guy needs to be heard, over and again. “That’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Brance rocks on his heels. “He really wants to stay with you.”

“That’s very sweet. We’ll have a great time. I can take him to Dapper for ice cream.”

“Whatever blows your skirt up. Just don’t ruin him.”

Ah, there’s the confident Brance I’ve grown to despise. I cross my arms and glare at him.

He scowls. “What’s eating you now?”

“You could try curbing the attitude. I’m not the enemy.”

“The jury’s still out on that one.”

“Yet you trust me to watch Ollie,” I remind.

Brance’s steel veneer cracks when he looks over at his son across the room. “You can thank him for that. He’s a great judge of character. That kid wouldn’t keep coming back if you were mean to him.”

I gasp and clutch my neck. “I could never be anything but kind to that adorable boy.”

He gestures toward me. “See? That right there is how I know he’s in safe hands.”

“Ollie will be very well taken care of.” The steel in my voice clangs around us.

Brance gives a sharp nod. “All right. Glad that’s settled.”

“Anything else I need to do?”

“That about covers it.” He opens his wallet and tugs out a familiar-looking business card. This time I accept it. “My cell is on here. Call if you need anything.”

I hold out my palm. “Give me your phone. I’ll enter my number, just in case.”

He does, and I type the digits in. When the deed is done, I pass it back. Brance stares at the screen.

“Programming it to your memory?”

He glances up at me, a sneer curling his lip. “I bet you’d love that. But no, sugar. I’ll be deleting it once this evening is over.”

“Good,” I retort. “Wouldn’t want to be confused with one of your women.”

He barks out a laugh. “There’s no chance of that happening.”

I chew on my lip, deserving that dig. I shouldn’t be egging him on. “Okay, get going. Don’t want to leave your client or whoever waiting.” I shoo him off with a flick.

Brance sidesteps me. “Hey, Ollie? I’m leaving.”

The little boy dashes toward his father and leaps into his open arms. My ovaries threaten to explode when Brance cradles him for a moment, hugging him close. I’m blinking fast, about to turn away and give them privacy. More for my sake.