“Then this is about the rent!” Her hand flies in the air, and her coffee does a little dance along the rim of her mug. “I’ll have you know I’m this close to nailing down a paying job.” Her lips pull down to the side as if contesting the idea, and my mouth begs to cover them with mine. “And I promise you, each and every paycheck will be yours. In the meantime, I’ll do my best to vacate the premises asap.” She snarls my way with nostrils flaring, those marble green eyes red with rage. “And I’ll be sure to take all of my imaginary guests right along with me.” She leans in and sneers. “A girl is allowed toglowall on her own—and believe you me, buddy, I can make myself glow like afirefly.”
On her own? As in she took care of businesson her own?A smile twitches on my lips, but I don’t dare give it. Just the thought of her having all that fun just across the hall from me is enough to make my budding boner ticktolife.
“Gah!” She smacks her forehead with her palm. “That’s not what I meant! And don’t think for a minute I can’t see that perverted grin begging totakeover!”
“Look, why don’t you come by the restaurant tomorrow?” My shoulders slump, my chest decompresses as if throwing in the towel. Yes, she’s cantankerous, but she’s Raven’s friend—best friend apparently, and she has a need. “I’mhiring.”
I wasn’t up until this moment, but I don’t mention it in the event it sets her off again. And judging by her track record—something as benign as good morning can send her off therails.
Her mouth flies open, her eyes widen as if I’ve just insulted her and I might have. She has a degree from WB. She’s probably not in the market for a waitressing gig down at thelocal—
“I’ll be there.” She swallows hard as if trying to digest her pride. She glances down at my coffee a moment. “Would you like some creamerwiththat?”
Our eyes latch onto one another. Her nipples dart out from the flimsy fabric of her nightshirt once again, and I can’t help but give a lazy smile. She’s hot and funny and conveniently trapped in my home. I’m still not sure if I should dock Raven a Christmas present or pen her a thank you. God knows I needed thedistraction.
“Is that a genuine question or anaudition?”
Her perky little lips twist in abow. “Both.”
A laugh rattles my chest, first one in weeks, and it feels damn good. Just as I’m about to tell her she’s got the job, my phone buzzes over thecounter.
There are some moments in life where you are certain you know what’s coming, and this is that moment for me. I let it ring over and over, my gaze falling upon itcatatonic.
“You want to get that?” Low’s voice comes out sweet, not laced with vinegar, the way I’ve known ittobe.
“I think I’ll let this one pass.” A moment later my phone pings, alerting me to the fact I’ve got a text. I head over and pick it up, roll it over in my hands, heavy as lead, and my body goes numb as I read thewords.
“Everything okay?” Low steps over softly as if not wanting to wake me from a dream. It’s more of a nightmarereally.
“Everything’s great.” I twitch my phone at her. “It was my mother. It seems my wife hadherbaby.”
“Oh my God!” She struggles to land both her coffee and mine onto the counter. “You’re a dad! We’ve got to call Raven! What am I saying? I bet your mom called her, too. Oh,wow.” Her face brightens again. This time it’s all for me. “Congratulations! We got to get you to the hospital!” Her enthusiasm comes to an abrupt halt as she staggers back a bit. The pieces are falling into place, and none of them make sense. And I happen to agree with her on that point, too. “Wait a minute. You look like you’ve just had your entrails shoved down your throat. Is there a reason you’re not thrilled about the news? I mean, your wife just had a baby. I get that she’s not here. It doesn’t take a Mensa member to figure out there’s trouble in paradise—but ababy. I mean, you’re adadnow.”
“No.” A dry smile pushes from me briefly. “I’m not the father. Mybrotheris.”
