“Just threaten to steal her diary,” Gabe offers. “Trust me, it’s her kryptonite.”
Gabe’s baby sister keeps a diary? Christ, could she get any cuter?
Suddenly, I’m picturing Snooks sprawled on the floor, scribbling secrets into a sparkly, unicorn-covered notebook.
I head to the fridge to jot it on the shopping list, then stop.
What the hell?
Raw cookie dough.
Candy bars.
Enough energy drinks to fuel a rave.
Nice try.
I slash through every last item, knowing damn well I’ll cave when we’re in the sugar aisle at the grocery store and they go full-blown puppy-dog eyes.
At the bottom of the list, I add diary in cursive so the kids can’t read it, then smirk into the phone. “Diary, huh? Tell me your baby sister documented all the humiliating shit I can use to blackmail her big brother Gabe with later.”
“Maybe. But it’ll all be moot once you help me out with favor number two.”
CHAPTER 3
Harrison
I roll my eyes. I’d forgotten all about favor number two.
Just as I’m about to start another cup of coffee, a small noise catches my attention. My voice drops. “Hang on, Gabe.”
Because whatever he’s about to unload suddenly takes a back seat to the unmistakable sounds of all-out war erupting in my living room.
I edge the kitchen door open, carefully scouting for enemy activity.
Sure enough, my hellspawn have staked their claim on the couch, locked in fierce combat over the remote. Sophie’s elbow swings dangerously close to Ollie’s face while Connor bellows something about “first player rights.”
My fantasy of peace and quiet evaporates.
I blow out a rough breath, jam another K-cup into place, and press brew.
“All right,” I mutter grimly. “If you want me to agree to another favor, I suggest you speak fast.”
“Well, since I won’t be back as planned, I need?—”
“Say no more,” I cut in. “If it’s your workload, you’ve got nothing to worry about. One team, one fight. I’m fully prepared to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty.”
“First of all, I’m already caught up. And it’s not so much a favor for me as for Zac.”
Shit.
Zac Donovan. Hannah’s fiancé. Brother to CEO Mark. My soon-to-be brother-in-law.
Which means exactly one godforsaken thing.
The Donovan Bishop Christmas Bachelor Auction for Wounded Vets.
Goddammit.
