Chapter 58
“So, you shouldn’t let him stay with you and keep struggling.” Bradley asked casually.
Melissa Со
him off quickly. “Stop with this nonsense. We agreed. Once I get a job, Curtis comes with me!”
Melissa had learned to play her cards better now, continuing. “You’re his biological dad. Even if he stays with me, you’re footing the bill for his tuition. I’ll cover everything else.”
Bradley smirked, his gaze unreadable. “No problem with that.”
After enjoying an indulgent meal prepared by a chef at an upscale restaurant, Melissa cleared the table. She leaned against the wall, sipping water to digest, and decided to make small talk. “So, do you have a girlfriend?” she asked.
Bradley’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at her and shot back, “Is that really something you should be asking me?”
Melissa’s posture, her back and calves pressed tightly against the wall, looked a little exaggerated and awkward. She replied seriously, “As Curtis‘ adoptive mother, I have the right to know what kind of stepmother he might get. I don’t want anyone mistreating him.”
Bradley’s gaze flickered over Melissa for a second. The way her chest arched slightly as she leaned back reminded him of how she looked the night before in nothing but her underwear.
For a moment, Bradley pulled his eyes away and said, “What about you? Since you’re so set on getting Curtis back, how about sharing a bit about your personal lifer
Melissa answered without hesitation, Tr not planning on getting married. Curtis is all I need.”
Bradley raised a brow, his voice thoughtful. “Did some jerk hurt you that badly!”
Melissa has no plans to get married. Sure, Hugh’s betrayal stung, but that wasn’t the full story. And her family of origin also has issues,
Her stepfather, Jack? A controlling nightmare who had taken his obsession with power to dark and twisted levels.
Marriage had lost all its appeal to Melissa. And even if it hadn’t, the fact she couldn’t have kids made it a moot point
While society had progressed, Marriage knew deep down not many men would be willing to settle down with a woman who couldn’t have children.
“Rather than marrying someone and enduring humiliation, it’s better to live alone. It’s quite nice, Melissa thought.
Melissa didn’t feel like explaining all that to Bradley. I just won’t get married,” she said simply. “And don’t worry about me using Curtis as some kind of safety net for retirement. He won’t have to take care of me.
Bradley’s eyes.
narrowed. “And what about that old classmate of yours?” he asked, his voice carrying a teasing note, drawing out the end of the sentence deliberately.
Hearing this, Melissa explained immediately, “Scout? He’s just a classmate! I’m not interested in him. And who knows! Maybe he’s already got a girlfriend. Don’t start anything weird.”
Bradley remembered the guy he had spotted with her at the cafe the day she came for her interview. That had to be Scott. The two of them had been laughing and chatting like they were closer than Melissa let on.
The thought of Scott swooping in to claim Melissa, and her turning around and throwing him a thank–you dinner or a gift, made Bradley’s chest
Tighten.
It annoyed him, though Bradley couldn’t figure out why. “Why
Why does it even matter? I’ve got bigger things to deal with, he thought irritably.
Still, Bradley couldn’t help the dig. “He’s not bad–looking. You two might actually make good pair.”
Melisa frowned and asked, her tone skeptical, “How would you know that? You’ve never even met him.”
Bradley almost slipped. His brow furrowed briefly, and he cleared his throat, “Did you forget! I’ve looked into your background. Knowing who your
Melissa didn’t want him digging into her past, especially when it came to Jack. Then she replied, “Ask me directly next time. Don’t waste your knooping around”
time
bradley turned a page of the magazine he’d been flipping through, “Okay. Then why did you take a year off in college?” he asked causally.
