Lexi pressed a quick kiss to my jaw.
“In the spirit of my lover boy giving me whatever I want …”
“Can you please choose a different pet name?”
“Sugar daddy, stud muffin, sex kitten …”
“That’s you,” I growled, wrapping my arms around her.
“Fine. Big G it is.”
I snorted a laugh.
“We need to buy you some furniture.” Lexi picked up her phone. “I am going to need a hammock chair, and also I want one of those inflatable airplane slides so we can do indoor sledding. Don’t worry,” she added when I winced. “Only those in your inner circle will see it.” Then Lexi said, “Oh no” while scrolling through her phone.
“You can have the airplane slide,” I said mildly.
“Not that.” She showed me her text messages. “You know how you’re doing renovations at the apartment building and very generously housed all the residents up in a hotel? Grenadine just got kicked out.”
“How? They only moved a few days ago.”
“She was hitting on the front desk clerk, and they have a zero-tolerance policy.”
I traced the freckles on her collarbone. “Does Grenadine need a place to stay?”
She wrinkled her nose. “That is a good deed too far.”
“Some kindness buddy you are,” I said, punctuating the words with kisses.
69
LEXI
“Happy housewarming!” my parents exclaimed.
I wiped my hands and ran from the kitchen down the hall, to the foyer.
I am investing in some roller skates, I decided.
“Grenadine, I told you not to open the door without seeing who it is,” I reminded her when I skidded to a stop in front of my parents.
“There is a doorman downstairs,” she yelled back. “No one unsavory is getting up here.”
To earn her keep, so she said, Grenadine had taken to wearing a French maid’s costume around the penthouse.
“Squeaky Mouse!” My dad wrapped me in a big hug.
“Our little girl is all grown up and has her own castle,” my mother said, hugging me to her chest. The array of metal buttons with cheerful sayings dug into my collarbone.
“Mom, this is supposed to be a nice party. We have a number of billionaires coming, plus, hopefully, a super special surprise guest of honor.”
“I’m wearing my nice vest,” my mother protested, looking down at the colorful embroidered garment.
“This party is off to a great start,” I muttered.
“That’s right, sweetie, stay positive!” My mom pinched my cheeks.
“We need a butler,” Grenadine complained as my dad dragged his suitcases inside.
