“You… no.” She shakes her head.
“What do you meanno?” No one says no to me. Ever. And why the fuck doesn’t she want to live with me?
“You don’t even know me that well yet, August. Also, I have responsibilities. They go by the name of Riley Bell. I can’t just move in with you. What would I do with him? I won’t leave my brother.”
She’s right. I wouldn’t expect her to leave her brother.
“I realize you’re a package deal, babe. Riley can have one of the spare bedrooms.” Do I want to live with the kid? Fuck no, but I wantherand if that means taking both of them, then that’s what I’ll do.
“You told me there weren’t any spare rooms, August.” Hayley looks around as if a guest room is just going to appear.
“I said there weren’t any herefor you, so there isn’t. I want you in my bed. Our bed. Your brother’s not invited into our bed, babe.” I laugh. “Come on, let’s go to sleep. We can discuss the details tomorrow. I’ll arrange movers to get all your things packed up.”
“I haven’t said yes, August,” Hayley tells me.
“You haven’t said no either.”
“Actually, that’s exactly what I said,” she huffs.
Bending at the waist, I pick her up and throw her over a shoulder. “We’re going to sleep,” I say, walking towards the bedroom.
Sitting across from Hayley at the dining table, watching her eat a bowl full of sugar, I can’t help but smile. I could get used to this domesticated life. “What are your plans for today?” I ask her.
“I’m going to the salon. Need to get ready for the after-Christmas rush. And I need to pick up some gifts,” she tells me.
“Didn’t you take the week off from work?”
“Yes, but I was also supposed to be in Europe,” she says.
“Want me to take you to Europe? I can have a jet ready in about five hours.”
Her eyes widen and she smiles. “No, thank you. We just decorated this place, and I’m kind of excited to spend Christmas with Jade and Riley.”
“Jade’s baby daddy in the picture?” I’ve been meaning to ask that since I met the woman.
“No. Thank god.” Hayley sighs. “He was a cheating son of a bitch.”
“So she’s doing it alone?”
“She’s not alone. She has me,” Hayley says. “I’m going to be the best damn aunt I can be.”
“I have no doubt.” I smile.
“What’s on the agenda tonight?” Hayley asks me.
“You, me, and the bed.” I laugh.
“No events?”
“Not tonight,” I tell her.
“And what areyourplans for today?”
“To find the fucker trying to kill me and make sure I kill him first.” I shrug.
Hayley coughs. “Right, well, make sure you do.”
“I’m going to be fine. I do have to go, though. Remember to call or message me as much as you like,” I tell her. “Andre is downstairs ready to take you wherever you need to go.”
