A long breath escapes me. “I might have… blackmailed her into living with me for a bit.”
His eyes bug out. “Wow, she’s really getting the five-star treatment on the personal-attention front.”
I rub my face. “Yeah, so we might be encountering a little problem with that…”
“As in…” He encourages me to continue.
“I didn’t exactly blackmail her, more a favor owed. We lost another nanny and needed some help. Not my fault Lexi tried to buy alcohol way back, and she needed Prince Charming to save her. Alas, favor now owed.”
“So, she’s living with you?” Stone seems confused, as he should be.
I bobble my head side to side. “Yeah. Just to help out every now and then until I can find another solution for my lovely kids.”
He gives me a knowing look. “Just so happens you added other favors…”
I laugh to myself. “Can you blame me? She has good banter, and she’s hot. We both know what it is. Nothing around the kids either. It’s just some fun. I need to destress, and she’s the golden ticket.”
Stone brings his fingers to his jaw, thinking for a hard long second. “Uh… I give it a few weeks before this blows up in your face. You don’t let women around Lori and Harry. Let alone take up residence in the guesthouse.”
Shit. My face stills, and I say nothing.
The problem with close friends is they see straight through you. “Yes?” It drags out.
“Guestroom, the guest room,” I correct him, and his eyes widen. “Water problem in the guesthouse.”
“Really? This just got complicated. The only way this could get worse is if you turned off the water on purpose or something.” He huffs a laugh.
And face freezing moment number two.
Stone’s jaw drops. “No fucking way. You turned off the water, didn’t you?”
I step forward. “Keep your voice down,” I hush him as I scan the hall. “That part she doesn’t know.”
“Are you a little psychotic? I mean, we’ve all known that you have wild ways. You’re the guy who hands out candy to the kids and alcoholic beverages to the parents during trick-or-treating. You’re also an impulsive guy. But why the hell would you do that?” He raises his voice.
I comb my hands through my hair. “Honestly? No clue, other than that woman seems to have possessed me to do crazy things. Hence, why I called in a favor due to a ridiculous bar napkin. And her appeal doesn’t exactly lose any points either.”
Stone blinks his eyes a few times. “Seriously, Holden, first-glance connections can raise a flag of caution to what you think is a simple situation. Harlow and I were an instant attraction, and here I am with a fiancée.”
I take us out of my lecture. “Fiancée, eh? That’s great, man.” I knew he was going to ask soon; I guess the time came.
He looks elated. “Yeah, she said yes.” He sounds so happy, but then his look falters. “Now back to you. This is my warning that feelings are brewing behind a wall that you didn’t realize you have. On the other hand...” His lips quirk out. “You seem kind of content despite your hooligans stressing you out. I’m also assuming you’ve thought about the kids, so… why not. Have fun with whatever odd game this is.” Stone gives up.
I rub my temples. “I should consider your sound wisdom… but I won’t. Let me ride this situation out while I ride her. When it begins to get gray, then we’ll bench this and be done. We can be friends. She and I both know the score.”
“Sure, you do.” He doesn’t sound convinced.
My phone dings, and I bring the screen up to see that I’m five minutes late because I’m standing in a hall discussing my predicament that I think I’m kind of addicted to.
I’ve always been a little reckless, and it’s been a damn while since I’ve allowed myself to enjoy that trait.
“Really gotta head out. Tell Harlow congrats.” I begin to walk away.
“Will do. Let me know when you need a beer to reflect on your situation like a normal human soul,” he calls out.
I flex my neck before straightening my shoulders. “It will be fine.”
My phone chimes again, and this time I see a calendar reminder for an upcoming business dinner. They are really into making it a family affair, hence why they want Lori and Harry present.
