“Okay, near-stranger in the parking lot, what did you do, hire a private investigator in the last twelve hours? Where did you get my résumé?”
“Brydie.”
“She doesn’t have boundaries, does she?”
“No, but once you have her chocolate lava cake, you don’t care anymore. Stuff’s next-level delicious. Totally worth letting her pick apart your private life to get another slice. If you were seasick, how?—”
“Pregnant, Holt. I got pregnant, and then I got morning sick, and when I decided I wanted to keep the baby, I had to come home. That’s why I puked on Vitamin Man last night. Chicken and baby didn’t mix. Not right now anyway.”
Oh, shiiiiiit.Didn’t see that coming.
Also—fuck. I got a pregnant woman fired.
And I’m standing here thinking about her naked.
While she probably has a boyfriend or a husband.
No ring though.
And she’s living in a hotel and talking about moving in with her parents, andshiiiiitagain.
This just got a lot more complicated.
She lifts a hand. “Don’t. Donotlook at me like I’m a pity case. I’m perfectly fine. I’m looking for a house of my own, my parents are excited, I’ll find another job, and I’ll be fine. Thank you for?—”
“So youaremoving back in with them.”
Her eyelid twitches. “Likely for a short time. If I can survive doing my laundry at their house today.”
“And this Naked Tuesdays thing…?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You very clearly said that.”
“And I also very clearly asked you to forget you heard it because I didn’t say it.”
Huh.
I’m smiling.
I’m smiling at a woman because she’s funny.
And someone in my head is whisperingthat house needs babies after everything it’s seen.
Fuck.
Fuck.
It does.
That house needs new life in it.
“I’m gone for at least six weeks. Have a few contractors coming in and out. Could use someone to keep an eye on them. And walk my dog. If you’re a dog person.”
“I appreciate the offer, but?—”
“You prefer Naked Tuesdays.”
