Shelby tilts her head. “Why?”
“Because,” I say firmly, “he has rules about employees dating.”
Charli waves a hand dismissively. “Rules are made to be broken.”
“And,” I continue, ignoring her, “he’s older than Matty.”
Shelby blinks. “How old are we talkin’?”
“Thirty-three.”
“So?” Charli asks.
“So, that’s weird!”
Shelby shrugs. “I think having an affair with your grumpy older boss sounds like fun.”
I stare at her. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”
“And I can’t believe you’re denying obvious chemistry,” Charli accuses.
“There is no chemistry!”
Shelby scoffs. “You stripped for him in public.”
“That was about the tattoo!”
Charli leans forward. “Harleigh”—her voice softens slightly—“you like him.”
I sigh.
They both grin.
“Even if I did,” I reply calmly, “I’m concentrating on my career.”
Charli snorts. “Sure.”
“I am. I want to prove to Matty that I’m taking this job seriously.”
Shelby raises an eyebrow. “That doesn’t mean you can’t have a relationship.”
“What relationship? There’s no relationship. And if I were interested in Porter, trust me, I wouldn’t need any help from you two.”
“Seriously?” Charli says accusingly. “You’ve spent years meddling in our love lives.”
“You schemed to get Matty and Caison together,” Shelby points out. “And the two of us helped push Charli and Bryce together.”
“And you and Waylon too,” Charli adds.
“That was because you guys were hopeless,” I say primly.
Charli laughs. “Hopeless?”
“You needed my help,” I insist.
Shelby grins. “And now, you don’t need ours?”
“Nope.”
