Page 50 of Baxter's Right-Hand Man

Mr. Gowan wheezed. “Oh, dah-ling, don’t set him up for failure.”

Pierce furrowed his brow. “Don’t be so sure, old man. I’m very,verygood at Scrabble.”

I clapped gleefully. “A nice healthy competition is good for the soul.”

“I’m going to kick his ass, honey,” Mr. G taunted.

Pierce shot a wary glance between us. “You’re on. Get out of the hospital, and we’ll talk.”

And with that, Pierce strode out of the room in what I had to admit was a fabulous exit.

I stared after him for a beat, then reached for the older man’s hand. “He’s my ride. I have to go. I forgot flowers. I’ll bring an extra bunch when I see you next time.”

Mr. Gowan squeezed my fingers and winked. “I knew you’d do better than that treacherous Tony.”

My cheeks heated on cue. “It’s not like that.”

He coughed. “Whatever you say.”

8

PIERCE

Mistake number one: I shouldn’t have brought Lorenzo with me to talk to Jasper. That hadn’t gone down as planned…at all. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but it wasn’t what he’d given me.

Mistake number two: I should have picked Lo up on my motorcycle. It would have made it difficult to explain my reason for tagging along on a hospital visit, but at least he wouldn’t have been subjected to my broody silence in the aftermath. I didn’t know what to say. At the very least, I owed him an apology for dragging him into my family drama, with a side trip to the pediatric ward.

Fuck, was I a fun date or what?

Hang on. This wasn’t a date. It was more like a misguided, unintentional kidnapping.

I pushed my hand through my hair and exhaled in frustration. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. That was all…bad.”

“No, it wasn’t. I liked meeting the kids. You were so good with them.”

“I was adequate at best.”

Lorenzo frowned. “That’s not true. In the space of less than thirty minutes, you made a big difference. I was almost proud to be your assistant.”

“You were a natural,” I teased, cracking a lopsided grin when he flipped me off.

“I mean it,” he insisted. “That was cool.”

“Was it? I usually walk in with a huge entourage, cameras flashing, bags of toys and T-shirts…like I’m fucking Santa Claus. Or a clown.” My nostrils flared with misspent anger.

“Don’t do that. I know you’re frustrated with Mr. G or maybe your family too, but that was a surprisingly nice visit.” He kicked my foot and smiled. “I talked to Chase’s mother. She said you’re his hero and—”

“I am no fucking hero, Lo. I’m just an actor.”

Lo flinched, then released a slow stream of air. “A week ago, I might have agreed, but I was there tonight and I know what I saw. And even if you are ‘just an actor,’ if what you stand for brings joy…isn’t that a good thing?”

“Dude. I didn’t do anything. I just—”

“Showed up. Sometimes that’s enough,” he intercepted, leaning across the console to pat my hand. “You’re a good person.”

“Thanks, but I play a good person on-screen. That’s different.”

“Actually, you play an antihero. Baxter isn’t all good. He’s real. He fights for what he believes in.”