Page 37 of Big Daddy to Go

I shrug. “I work too hard not to play hard too. You don’t like sports, I’m guessing?”

“I do like sports, actually. I just don’t understand when some people sit in front of a TV yelling at it and ignore everyone else in the room.”

She’s obviously speaking from experience.

“I’m guessing an old boyfriend?”

She turns uncomfortable and shifts in her seat, but then again, it could be the soreness from the other night causing her to shift. She changes the subject seamlessly.

“Yeah. Did you ever have an old girlfriend who got too absorbed in something? Like that stupid Bachelorette show?”

I laugh, but it’s my turn to be uncomfortable.

“Honestly, I haven’t had a girlfriend since college.”

Lexi looks surprised and tries to respond, but she can’t find something to say.

“I dated the same girl for all four years of college. I loved her, but she dumped me for a guy who had money.”

“What an asshole,” Lexi says, disgusted.

I smile and nod. “Yeah.”

“You didn’t become rich for her, did you?” Lexi wonders.

“Oh God, no,” I laugh. “I mean, it’s great to have money, but I love investing in people’s dreams.”

Lexi is smiling at me, and I laugh. “I probably sound like such a nerd.”

“No, you sound sweet. And I’m sorry college girl didn’t know that she already had a rich man as her boyfriend,” Lexi says, and I know she isn’t talking about money.

It’s probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I link my fingers with hers and smile. The pizza arrives a moment later, and we both dig in. We continue our conversation as we eat, but it seems like every time I ask something personal, Lexi somehow turns the question on me.

There must be something she’s keeping from me. It should raise a red flag for me, but it doesn’t. My gut instinct tells me that Lexi is worth putting the time and effort into. Whatever secret she has, she’ll tell me when she’s ready.

The image of her with a swollen belly pops into my mind for the second time since I’ve met her. The idea of being a father humbles me. Lexi seems like the type of woman I would want to carry my child. I can tell that she’s a good-hearted person who is sensitive and lighthearted.

After we’re done with dinner, we stroll around the area, hand-in-hand. I like this. I like her… a lot.

“Do you like your job?” I ask after Lexi finishes telling me about some of her annoying clients.

“I love it, but it’s obvious the owners give me the clients they don’t want to deal with. And then, there’s Renata…” She rolls her eyes.

“Who?”

“Renata is one of the administrative assistants. She’s always listening in to my phone calls and butting her nose in where it doesn’t belong. She’s such a gossip whore.”

I laugh and drop her hand, only to drape my arm across her shoulders. I pull her close, and she looks surprised by the intimate gesture.

“Why don’t you start your own company?” I suggest.

She laughs, “You’re cute.”

“Seriously. What’s stopping you?”

“Lack of capital. Lack of balls.”

I chuckle, “I have both of those things. You’re welcome to borrow them.”

She stops walking and moves out of the way of pedestrians walking by. I follow her lead as she leans against the side of a building. I can tell my generous offer has caught her off-guard.

“Thank you for the offer, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting it.”

“I understand,” I nod. “But remember, I’m always interested in investing in someone’s dream. Especially when the dreamer is someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” she asks, a confused look on her face.

“Someone who would never use someone,” I explain.

Lexi swallows as I stare between her eyes and her lips. Our bodies press closely together. I kiss her deeply, and her hands link behind my neck. We stand there making out on Broadway with people passing us by like we’re just another New York City sight.