“She can take care of herself, too,” Seri replied, and I had to agree.
“Cruor! I’d pay to see Fosterificus go toe-to-toe with Mrs. Wentzel!” Zane cackled.
“I think I can handle promise one.” Foster’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “What are the others?”
“Promise two: You have to follow the infinity rule.” When his brow furrowed in confusion, she clarified, “It means no quitting ever. You don’t give up. You fight until the end.”
“So I have to be the estate managerforever?” His tone suggested this might be a deal-breaker.
“No, but it means when you commit to something, you see it through. I’ve seen you keep fighting while literally on fire. You already know how to follow this rule.”
“And the third?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Never let Evermere run out of toilet paper again.”
The absolute solemnity with which she delivered this final condition nearly broke my composure.Nearly. Ko and Zane, however, broke down in laughter. Foster, to his credit, didn’t even blink. He simply nodded and extended his hand.
“I think I can manage that.”
Seri didn’t take his hand immediately. Instead, she looked up at me, seeking my permission or approval, a habit I hoped would eventually fade as she grew more confident. Still, I had to admit that warmth flooded me at her trust in my judgment.
I gave her a sharp nod, and she shook Foster’s hand. Then, not really to my surprise, she grinned and flung her arms around him, her whole body shimmying with happiness.
“Thank you, Foster! You won’t regret it!”
He looked awkward as hell, his large hands hovering in the air for a moment before one came down to pat her back with all the grace of a bear trying to comfort a butterfly.
“You’re already sexually harassing your newest staff member, bubbles!” Zane’s tone was faux-scandalized. “I’m pretty sure that violates five HR policies. Section 3, paragraph 4 of the employee handbook clearly states—”
“HR policies?” She released Foster and blinked up at Zane in bewilderment. “What’s that?”
“Human resources,” he continued with a stern expression even as his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious offense, bunny. Now get your adorably clueless ass over here before I file a grievance.”
“I can hug my new friend if I want to!” She planted her hands on her hips, which made her look like an indignant kitten trying to be a fierce tiger.
“Foster might not like being hugged, baby.” Ko stepped in, his voice gentle as always with her.
“It’s all good. She can hug me anytime,” Foster smirked.
“That won’t be necessary.” Even though I knew he was only taunting us, my voice dropped several degrees.
“Yeah, in case you missed the memo,Fosterfly, she’s taken.” Zane flashed his wedding ring with exaggerated flair. “Very,verytaken. As in, already hasthree husbandstaken.”
“Relax, Z,” Foster held up his hands in surrender, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. “I got it. No hugging Little Boss.”
“We’ll finalize the details of your employment in the morning,” I said, redirecting the conversation. “That’s all for now.”
As the others filed out, I caged Seri against the library’s oak panels, my lips finding the pulse at her throat.
“You,” I growled against her skin, “are a tactical nightmare.”
Her laugh filled me with golden light.
“But my victory was absolute, commander.”
#
Seri’s idea worked even better than I’d anticipated. Within days, Foster had settled into the rhythm of the estate seamlessly. Supplies were ordered, inventories managed, and for the first time in months, I didn’t have to worry about the mundane details of running our home.
