Will laughs. “If anything, I’d say you’re providing the entertainment.”
“You and me, mate,” I say, pointing to him. “A couple of young bucks with no responsibilities. Let’s say wereallytie one on. We’ll get started here and work our way back to the pubs in town, see how many ladies we can pick up along the way.”
Without waiting for an answer, I say, “Oh, and I seem to have left my…everything I own somewhere, so I’m retracing my steps until I can find my bags.” I laugh wildly for a moment, then point at Harrison, who’s holding his adorable baby, Clara. “It’s sort of ironic, isn’t it? Here I’ve been employed looking after people’s luggage for half a year, and yet I can’t keep track of my own.” I bust out laughing, but no one joins me.
“Leo, why don’t you go inside and have some breakfast, love?” Emma says, her tone full of pity.
“Nah, not really that hungry, to be honest.”
Harrison hands the baby to his wife and then strolls over to me. “I’m really sorry about yesterday. I know that can’t have been easy for you,” he says.
“What are you talking about? What’s a little firing between family members?” I slap him on the back a bit too hard, then rub the spot where I smacked. “Sorry about that. Sometimes I don’t know my own strength.”
“Oh, would you look at the time.” Libby hurries over to the glass table, picks up her diaper bag, and slings it over her shoulder. “We need to get Clara home for a nap.”
“I hope you’re not leaving on my account,” I say, gesturing at her with the pants that are still in my hand instead of on my legs.
“Not at all,” Libby says with the uncomfortable smile that conveys the exact opposite of her words. “I just didn’t realize how late it was getting.”
I watch as Harrison and Libby say their goodbyes and disappear around the side of the house. They seem happy—a husband, wife, and their beautiful little girl. Not my way to be happy, mind you, but it works for them. Slinging the chinos over my shoulder, I suck back half of the glass of orange juice and then top it up with champagne. After having a big swig, I smack my lips together. “Yeah, that’s the stuff.”
Pierce, clearly having had enough of my antics, grabs me by the elbow again and directs me into the house without another word. As soon as we get inside, I come face-to-face with Brianna and Jolene. I focus in on Bree, momentarily dumbstruck by her beauty. I stare at her, trying to decide if I should give in to this desperate compulsion to dip her and kiss her hard on the lips or not.
Not. She can’t stand me.
“Have you come to witness the downfall of the world’s most childish man?” I say with a nasty grin.
“Are you drunk?” she asks, her face serious.
“Define drunk.”
“Yes, he’s been going hard since last night, apparently.” Pierce takes hold of the pants, swipes them off my shoulder, and holds them out to me. “Your dignity, Leo.”
I wrinkle up my nose and point at the pants. “Those are chinos.” I giggle, but no one else joins me. “Come on. You two really need to learn to lighten up. Life’s too short.”
Smiling at Jolene, I say, “Fancy a celebratory drink, Ms. Fita? You caught me breaking the contract, so well done you.”
She purses her lips together, her eyes filled with concern.
“Why the long face?” I ask with an even wider grin. “You predicted I’d mess it all up at the end, and you were right, milady. Enjoy the moment. You earned it.”
She shakes her head, looking more serious than I’ve ever seen her. Gone is the sharp edge, and in its place is a disturbing sense of compassion.
“If you’re not here to gloat, then why’d you come by? Your contract has been fulfilled. You caught me. I got fired. It’s over. Call my father.”
“No!” Brianna says. “She hasn’t called him yet. We can still fix this.”
Shaking my head, I say, “No we can’t. It’s over.”
Jolene narrows her eyes at me. “Did you really lie to save her job?”
“What does it matter?” I ask. “I got fired.”
“Itdoesmatter.Ishould have been the one to get fired, not you,” Brianna says urgently. “Why did you lie for me?”
Shrugging, I do my level best to act as though I don’t care. “I was going to quit anyway. That job was dreadfully boring.” Turning to Pierce, I sway a little bit. “Not a fun person in the bunch.” In a dramatic whisper, I add, “Especially not this one.” I point at Bree with one thumb to emphasize my words even though I know it’s uncalled for.
Brianna takes two steps toward me. “Leo, you can’t just throw away your entire future for me.”
