I slapped my thighs and stood."If there's nothing else?—"
He considered me for a few seconds."I don't have to tell you that Reina is probably feeling all kinds of things right now, a sense of loss, fear over the future of her business.She doesn't need any other complications."
"I know what's at stake."This job.My friendship with Tom.
"Be careful with her."
"I don't intend to do anything with her.I gave her a room and found her a commercial kitchen.She's working on her catering business, and I'm busy with work."
He gave me a pointed look."See that it stays that way."
I started to walk out, then paused in the doorway."You know one day, you're going to be the one with a conflict of interest.A client you can't resist."
Then I turned to catch his expression.It was a mix of guilt and shame.Oh shit, had I walked into something there?"Unless you have something you want to tell me now?"
He waved me off."Of course not.I'm not getting involved with a client.I can go to a bar if I want to pick up a woman."
"That's getting old, isn't it?"Most of my brothers had stopped hanging out at bars to meet women.Now, we just went to hang out together.Drink a few beers and talk about work.
He rocked back in the chair."Aren't you feeling the pressure to settle down now that all your brothers have?"
"Not at all."I had no desire to settle down anytime soon.I was busy with work.And didn't have time for a relationship.My body was telling me it had time for a fling with a roommate though.Good thing I was leading with my brain and not my dick.
I went to my current jobsite, focusing on work and everything that needed to be completed before I could tackle the bakery renovation.I worked until it was dark out, sending my crew home earlier.
I wanted to stay away from my house until Reina was in bed.Of course, she was used to early hours, so that might not be too late.
I pulled into my driveway at nine and went inside.The light was on in the kitchen, and there was a note about muffins on the counter.I quickly heated up leftovers and ate standing up.When I went upstairs, the door to Reina's room was shut, and there was no light under the door.
I hoped she was working in the town hall's kitchen and busy with orders.When I got into bed, I realized that she didn't have a car to drive into town.I wondered if there was an extra work truck available.
I grabbed my phone to text Cooper.
Morgan: Is there a spare truck I can use?
Cooper: Is this for your new roommate?
Morgan: Are you going to answer me?
Cooper: Are you?
I ran my hand through my hair, wondering why we'd let Cooper run the place.He was nosey.
Morgan: You know, I can just come into the office and get the keys.
Cooper: I'll drop it off at your house tomorrow.I hope you know what you're doing.
Morgan: It's a favor for my friend's sister.
Cooper: Sure it is.
I couldn't wait for Cooper to get into a situation with a woman that was hard to navigate.He'd enjoyed the rest of the Sterlings fall for women the last year, and it was his turn.Or it should be.
Because wanting a woman you couldn't have was torture.Especially when she didn't want you back.
I'd text Reina in the morning about the truck.Cooper would leave the truck in the driveway and the key in the cab.He'd been my friend for a long time, but I didn't know a lot about his family.He was private.I just knew that he'd liked spending time at my house, and my parents had quickly accepted him at dinners and overnights.
He'd never revealed what was going on in his life.He preferred hanging around our house.Now, he was in my business, and maybe it was time to find out what was going on with my friend.Why was he so closed off?Why hadn't he ever shared anything about his family with us?
