“What the hell did she ever do to you?” I ask, frustrated that he’s hurt my friend's feelings. “She’s one of the nicest people I know. Everyone loves her, and according to her, you have made your dislike pretty damn obvious.”
Visibly frustrated by my antics, he runs a hand over his beard, and I can physically see his jaw clenching tighter the longer he stands there. He heads over to me and kisses the top of my head. “Find someone else to take your friend in. I don’t have time for any charity cases. I’ll stop by later today to help you move the rest of the furniture upstairs.”
I have no idea where this newfound hatred of Raven is coming from. Not only is what I said about Raven true about being one of the kindest people I know, but Monty has never been cruel to anyone.
I return to the room to find Raven leaning against the dresser, looking slightly embarrassed. “I have a proposition for you,” I tell her, and instantly her eyes perk up in curiosity.
“Keep talking,” she says, clearly interested in what I have to say.
“When the baby is born, I’m going to need someone to temporarily take over Monroe Avenue’s contract with Montgomery Builds. My brother has a few projects already lined up for the next few months, and I can’t let those clients down. I think it will be a perfect opportunity for you. And having to work so closely with Monty, it will only make sense for him to let you stay on the ranch. We can move my office to the ranch so that you don’t have to leave. I’d offer to let you stay with Beau, but he’s got a lot going on right now, and I wouldn't want to put you in the middle of all of that. But if this plan fails, then I’m sure Beau would gladly let you stay with him.”
She watches me suspiciously, like all of it sounds too good to be true. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch, only a favor.”
“I’m not going to like this, am I?”
I shake my head, but if I'm going to get my brooding oldest brother to stop being so grumpy all the time, there’s only one solution. He needs to find a woman who will slap the scowl off his pretty face. “I think you’ll be perfect for the job.”
“Which is?” she asks, now more curious than annoyed.
“Finding Monty a girlfriend. My dear older brother needs to get laid. Maybe it’ll take the stick out of his ass. And there’s no better girl for the job than you, Raven Dawson.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jase
Something is deeply wrong with me. I haven’t stopped grinning all damn day, and people are noticing.
I’m leaning against the counter with an inventory sheet I’m not actually reading. I’ve been staring at it for over twenty minutes and haven’t made a damn mark. All I keep picturing is Monroe looking like a fucking goddess as she straddled me as she took me deep.
“Okay,” Lacey says as she enters the room, snapping her fingers to get my attention. “Either you just found out my bourbon made you a millionaire overnight, or you finally got fucking laid.”
I bark out a laugh, shaking my head. “Jesus, Lacey.” She’s dressed in a long denim skirt and a long-sleeve silk blouse in the same shade of dark copper as her hair and heeled boots. Her hair is pinned up halfway with a gold clip, the rest falling in soft long waves down her back, making her look like the epitome of class and sophistication. However, with the mouth of a sailor and the darkest humor of anyone I’ve ever met, the woman is a unique breed.
She smirks, sipping her cup of espresso from Honeybees. Just like everyone else in this town, Lacey’s become addicted. Especially now that her visits have become more frequent and she stays longer. I’d say Crossroads is growing on her.
“It’s the grin,” she explains, motioning to the wide-toothed smile on my face. “Men don’t grin like that unless they’ve been thoroughly handled.”
I can’t stop smiling even though the woman is downright diabolical. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re whipped,” she shoots back, her eyes teasing. “Not like I blame you,” she adds. “Monroe is a fucking smoke show and if I batted for the other team, she’d be just my type. Lucky for you, I don’t.”
“Lucky for you, she has three available brothers if you’re into the whole tall, dark-haired, brooding cowboy type.”
Her smile falls like I’ve struck a nerve, but I don’t pry. It’s incredible how easily we’ve become friends, but something about her falling into a world she knew nothing about made me want to help her find her way. However, other than that, I know little about her. I know her estranged father died and left her his entire inheritance, and she has a two-year-old daughter, Lainey, who is the most adorable little girl in the world.
Though before Lacey can respond, the door swings open and Nash strolls in, hands in his jacket pockets, permanent scowl on his face. He gives me one look and groans. “Fuck no,” he says. “I don’t want to know.”
“Know what?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“You’ve got that post-coital halo thing going on,” he mutters, sliding onto a barstool. “Good for you. Don’t tell me anything else.”
Lacey barks out a deep, raspy laugh. “Thank God someone else noticed it.”
I roll my eyes at the two of them, but can feel a flush creeping up my neck. Is it really that obvious?
Nash reaches over the bar for a bottle of Lane & Co. “How’s she doing? After last night's dinner…” he doesn't have to finish his sentence, I already know what he’s getting at. After last night's shitshow where my mother tried her hardest to insult and embarrass her, I’d have expected Monroe to be a complete mess, but quite the opposite. She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her.
