But now he’d already found out about Max. The clock was ticking for me either way. Why not let Max live a more normal teenage life now?
And I didn’t really want Lola to quit.
“It’s done,” I said. “She’ll go to school in a week at Fairhope High. My driver will take her in the morning, and you can leave when you need to be there to pick her up. If it’s easier, I could have her driven to your apartment as well.”
“I’d like to pick her up,” Lola said carefully.
“Alright then.”
She ran her tongue over her lip, then bit it. “And it’s okay if I take her around town without a disguise?”
I nodded. “Now that Adrian knows, the need for secrecy is gone. So long as you don’t parade her in front of the Board of Directors and announce that I’m letting myself get distracted with playing parent to my niece.”
“There’s one other thing. You may think everything is settled if I’m looking after her for you. But she’s a teenage girl with a dad in prison. You’re her uncle and the closest thing to a dad she has right now. I think maybe you should carve out some time in the evenings to spend with her.”
My jaw ticked. “I don’t know what to do with teenage girls. She doesn’t even like me.”
“It’s not that hard. She just wants attention and acceptance. Sometimes all she needs is someone to listen. And if you can’t think of what to do, take her shopping or something. I’ve seen how cute her sense of style is. I can guarantee she’d love to go on a shopping spree.”
I groaned. “I don’t have time to play dad.”
“Then don’t play it,” Lola said. There was a sudden emotional edge to her voice that made me narrow my eyes.
“Why are you so invested in her, anyway?”
“Because I know how much it sucks when your dad doesn’t do his job, okay? And I know how easy it is to tell when the people who step in as surrogates are just phoning it in. Kids need to feel like people have their back. They need to feel cared about.”
There was a bite to her words that made me feel like shit. I should feel like shit, because she was right. I’d been seeing Max as a burden–an obligation. Sure, I hadn’t wanted her to be neglected by my idiot brother’s ex, but I figured if I made sure she was fed, had a place to sleep, and kept getting an education, I was doing my part. But Lola was right. Max needed more than the bare necessities. She needed parental figures. “Alright,” I said.
“Alright?” Lola asked, eyebrow raising.
“Yes. Alright. I’ll be more present with her. And about my last request… I don’t want you to pretend to date someone. Adrian has all the ammunition he needs already. I just need to think of some other way to handle him.”
Lola tilted her head at me. “You’re sure you don’t want me to ask Chase if he’ll be my pretend boyfriend? We could make sure we’re seen smooching by the water cooler when Adrian is around.”
I leaned forward, heart pounding. “Don’t toy with me,” I grated.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you want me all to yourself.”
“I can’t have you all to myself. It would…”
“What would it do?” she asked. “Make Adrian Bellamo give you an ultimatum? To me, it sounds like your excuses for keeping things casual between us have dried up, Mr. Stone.”
“It’s still not right for me to date an employee. I’m your boss, Lola.”
“And my boss put his tongue between my legs, followed by his dick. I think we’re past the point where you can play choir boy with me.”
She had a point. “What is it you’re saying? Last I recall, you hated me. Even if I wanted this to be more than casual, what difference would it make?”
“Because you annoyingly showed me that you’re not always Mr. Stone. There’s a good guy in there. A great guy. And call me hopeless, but I’ve always been drawn to challenges. Teaching you not to be so damn rude and grumpy all the time would be a crowning achievement.”
“You want to date me because you want to fix me?” I asked dryly.
“I want to date you because, against my better judgment, I can’t stop thinking about you. And trust me, I’ve tried. So I’d rather just give this a shot and get you out of my system.”
I grinned. “So that’s the plan? Date me until you realize there’s nothing special and you can stop being so preoccupied?”
“Yes,” she said.
“I’m flattered.”
“Well?” she asked. “Do we have a deal?”
I laughed. “Is this a package offer, Miss Thorn? You’ll only agree to look after my niece in the evenings if I agree to date you?”