Page 129 of Size King

“Maybe so,” I say. “But now I feel a lot more pressure. I love having fun with Dustin, and I think he’s a really good guy.”

“Do you actuallylikeDustin?” Kelsey asks.

“What? Like more than friends who sleep together?”

“Yes.” She laughs.

“I do,” I admit. “I do like Dustin a lot… way more than I expected to, and eventhatscares me. I’m a fucking mess.”

“You’re a woman!” says Kelsey. “We’re all a bit of a mess. Sounds like this guy is really on your mind.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” I say.

“Do you like his kids?” Kelsey asks.

“Yeah, they’re great,” I say. “Why?”

“Well, youhaveto like the boys if you want to be with Dustin,” she points out. “They are a package deal. If you wanted to really be with him, you’d have to fill outsomerole with the boys. So, what do you want to do?”

“I don’t know,” I repeat. “Hence, why I’m confused.”

“Well, you’re going to have to confront Dustin at some point,” she says. “It sucks that you’re uncomfortable, but we need to be punctual.”

“I’m not looking forward to this at all,” I groan.

And of course, when we get to Dual Wheel Duo, the first thing that happens is Dustin coming up to me in order to pull me aside and talk with me. I guess he figured the best way to deal with things is to do it right away.

“Before we start working today,” he begins. “I want to check on you first.”

“What do you mean?” I ask him.

“I wanted to know if you are okay after the other night when you kind of ran out,” says Dustin.

“Yes, I’m okay,” I assure.

“I’m sorry about Austin’s… ‘mommy question’,” he continues. “You have to understand: Austin is really young, and sometimes he doesn’t really know what he’s saying.”

“Was it just a mistake?” I ask. “I want to spend time with your boys, but I don’t want them to just think I’m replacing their mom.”

“That’s not it,” says Dustin. “It was just a mistake. I guarantee it. They’ve both accidentally called Cody ‘Daddy’ before. I didn’t take that to mean they wanted to replace me with Cody.”

I chuckle. “Right…”

“Look, Austin’s forward just like his dad,” says Dustin. “And he doesn’t always think before he talks. He doesn’t always know what’s appropriate, either.”

“He’s only three,” I say. “It just kind of freaked me out when he said it. I’ve never imagined beinganyone’smommy.”

“You don’t have to be their mom at all,” he says. “I’m not asking you for anything except to work for me here. If you weren’t comfortable with sleeping together anymore, now that I’m your boss—”

“Let’s not get carried away,” I tell him. “I like sleeping with you.”

“I do too,” he says. “Which is why I ask that you just give me a chance. If you think being with me is too much, I won’t stand in your way if you want out.”

I want to just give in and give him a chance. I don’t want to see him look sad or disappointed, but I don’t want to make the wrong decision just because I might hurt Dustin’s feelings. I have to do what is best for all of us, the kids included.

“I need some time to think about it some more,” I tell him. “Since you are all sort of a package deal, I have a lot to consider.”

“I totally understand,” says Dustin. “Take as much time as you need.”