“Any idea what’s gotten Noah into a bind that I had to come running over here?”
“He seemed fine to me.” Josh shrugs. “Though, I know he’s got something up his designer sleeves. Please, whatever it is, don’t tell Dad. He’s done enough bailing Noah out to last a lifetime.”
I roll my eyes. “Such a pessimist.” I set off to find my brother, assuming he’s in his room, when a hand reaches out of nowhere and grabs my shirt, hauling me into the home theater room.
“Holy shit!” I shove Noah back. “Are you trying to kill me?”
He’s grinning like a Cheshire Cat. “I’m more than okay, remember that hot chick I spent the night with recently?”
I frown. “I can’t keep up with all of your happenings, Noah, and I hope you didn’t call me all the way over here to gloat.”
“You don’t understand, she’s my dream woman.”
“You’re gonna have to spell it out for me,” I sigh. “Time’s a ticking, and I don’t have all night.”
“Juliette Monroe, the Hollywood talent scout?—”
I burst out laughing. “Oh, god. Don’t tell me you’re going to disgrace the family name and drop your clothes.”
He gives me an eye roll, whacking me on the chest. “Hilarious. She’s notthatkind of talent scout. She’s an agent, one of her big clients is Monica Chase.”
I thumb behind me. “Monica Chase, the actress? Ali’s client, who Lexi closed the deal for in Lake Haven while she was sick?”
Noah nods like a crazed mechanical robot. I don’t know what I’m seeing in his eyes, hysteria? Mania? Maybe both “The very same one. Well, we had one hot night not so long ago, and I had no idea she was a big Hollywood agent, but since it was one night, we didn’t exchange numbers…”
“Sounds like you might’ve been a bit of a dud, bro.” I hold him by the shoulders. “You need some tips on wooing a woman the right way?”
“I don’t need any tips from you. She loved every minute of it, trust me.”
“Wait, I thought you weren’t into the whole one night-stand thing?”
“That’s true, but shut up and listen. She’s interested in my alcove.”
“I’ll bet she is.”
“The Alcove in Malibu; it’s in Point Dume?—”
“Not the one with the rooftop garden? That’s over sixteen million!”
He smiles proudly. “It also boasts six bedrooms, six and a half baths, spans over six thousand square feet, has importedEuropean oak floors, a seventy-five foot infinity pool, framed by towering sycamores, a seasonal stream, and sweeping canyon views, yeah,thatalcove.”
“I’m pleased for you, bro. But I still don’t get why you called me over here... in the middle of a kids soccer game.”
He clears his throat. “Because I can’t go there alone. It’s the second showing and I’ve gotta close the deal.”
I frown, then a laugh bursts out of me. “Are you chicken shit?”
He shakes his head. “This woman is a black cat; she’s intimidating, mysterious, a fox, a smoking hot fox… well, frankly… I want it to go well and because her assistant set up the meeting, if she sees it’s me beforehand she might?—”
“Kick you in the balls?” I chuckle. I’ve also never known my hotshot brother to be so tongue-tied over a woman before. Normally, his words are like a hot knife through butter. Women fall at his feet. I’m already beginning to like this girl more and more. “I’d pay to watch her kick your ass.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“So why the cloak and dagger?” I pique a brow. “Did you not put her needs first? You know that’s rule number one.”
“I put her needs before mine several times,” he clarifies. “That’s the problem. I really like her, and I’m gonna fuck this up. I’ll say the wrong thing, put my foot in it. Look at me, my hands are shaking like I’ve drunk sixteen cups of coffee. Say you’ll come with me?”
I wince. “Have you drunk sixteen cups of coffee?”
