Brian chuckled. “Using family member’s birthdates in passwords is pretty common, Grace. That’s actually why it took us as long as it did. Jonah knew better.”
Jonah did, but I didn’t. I thought I’d been clever using our birthdates in reverse. I didn’t ask Brian how he knew my and Amelia’s birthdates, and he didn’t offer an explanation.
Chapter 17
I really wanted to cancel my date with Daniel. My thoughts were consumed with Alex’s accusation that Jake was working for the Russian mob. I knew it couldn’t be true. But I also couldn’t come up with a reason why Alex would lie. He gained no advantage that I could see. There had to be a reasonable explanation, but I sure as hell couldn’t figure it out.
I wasn’t worried about Brian Sullivan. I’d text him tomorrow, tell him I’d searched the house again, and I’d found nothing. Even if he was sure I was lying, what was he going to do?
My immediate problem was Daniel. I knew if I tried to cancel, we’d have a fight, and I didn’t have the energy for it. It was easier to take the path of least resistance. We were seeing a movie anyway, so not much conversation would be required. And maybe post-movie sex would relax me.
I should’ve known better than to think it would be that easy.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Grace. I’m very much enjoying our physical relationship.”
“Mmmm,” I murmured. Daniel’s bed was so comfortable. If he’d just stop talking, I could easily fall asleep.
“But I want more.”
I sighed. I’d just had an amazing orgasm and now he was ruining my post-coital bliss. I rolled over to face him. “I don’t mean to be sexist, but isn’t it the woman who’s supposed to want more?”
“That is sexist.”
I laughed. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Then I laid my head on his chest and closed my eyes.
He pushed my head off of him and sat up. “Are you?”
I pulled the sheet around my bare breasts and sat up too. “Yes. I like you. Isn’t it obvious?”
“I know you like sleeping with me. I’m not sure you like anything else about me.”
I sighed. “Now you’re just being ridiculous.”
“Am I? What else do you like doing with me?”
“Did we not just see a movie together? And how many times have we had dinner this week?”
“Yes, you come to my house for dinner and sex. But it’s only ever my house, never yours, and getting information out of you is like pulling teeth.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is. I feel like I’m dating a CIA agent.”
“Didn’t I tell you MJ’s uncle came to my house this afternoon?” Although I hadn’t told him Alex had accused Jake of working for the Russian mob.
“Why can we never spend the night at your house? Why does it always have to be mine?”
“I told you why on our first date.”
“Yes. First time since your husband died. That I understood. But it’s been weeks, Grace, and I’m still not allowed over. But MJ’s drug dealer uncle? Him you invite.”
“First of all, I did not invite Alex. He invited himself. And second, I am not sleeping with MJ’s uncle. We had a short conversation and he left.”
“A short conversation that just had to take place inside your home. And do you really think it’s wise to invite a drug dealer to your house?”
“I didn’t invite him! And what is this obsession you have with my house?”
“It’s not about your house. It’s about you being so secretive about everything.”
“What am I being secretive about? What is it that you want to know?”
He raised his hand and ticked off the reasons on his fingers. “You won’t tell me why your aunt had to foster MJ and Sofia instead of you. You won’t tell me why you gave them up when you clearly didn’t want to. And I still don’t understand this relationship you have with Tim and Richard.”
“We’re friends.”
“I have several students in foster care, Grace. But I don’t know any other former foster parent who has dinner once a week with the new foster parent. It’s weird.”
“It’s not weird.”
“Yeah, Grace, it is. And you know what else is weird? Your irrational hatred of the Wellstone Center. What is that about?”
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I kept them at bay. “I think I should leave.” I grabbed my panties off the floor and pulled them on and headed to the hallway where the rest of my clothes were scattered across the hardwood floor where Daniel had discarded them after he’d peeled them off me.
Daniel appeared behind me in the hallway wearing only his briefs. “Don’t leave.”
“I don’t want to fight with you,” I said, clasping my bra closed.
“I don’t want to fight with you either. Grace, sweetheart, I think I’m falling in love with you.”
