Xander’s wearing the most shit-eating grin I’ve seen on a human being.
“I asked if you heard what Gio just said.”
“No. Sorry.” I clear my throat and cover my mouth with one hand while flipping Xander off with the other. “Could you repeat?”
The fucker starts laughing.
“I asked who’d oversee both crews,” Gio says, still amused. “I’m assuming you’d want a seamless transition between shifts, which means someone would need to manage both teams.”
I grin. “You’re looking at him, man. I’ll happily oversee both crews.”
“No way,” Gio and Xander say at the same time.
I frown. “What? Why? You guys think I can’t handle it?”
“Miles,” Gio says patiently, “for starters, you’re our brother-in-law. We care about you. And two, we won’t let you work yourself into the ground just to get this place finished faster.”
Xander nods. “Yeah, man. I want this rink open too, but not at the expense of your health.”
I’m about to argue that it’s not a big deal when Penny speaks.
“I’ll help.”
The room goes quiet.
All three of us turn toward her so fast it feels cartoonish.
“Penny,” Gio says slowly, closing his eyes for a second like he’s trying very hard to stay calm. “I admire your commitment to this project, but you live in Charlotte. That commute is nearly four hours a day.” He gives her a pointed look. “We’re talking sixteen-hour workdays. That’d leave you with barely enough time to sleep.”
“She can stay in my place.”
The words leave my mouth before I fully think them through.
Every head in the room snaps toward me.
Jesus Christ. This conversation feels like a damn tennis match.
“What?” Penny practically squeaks.
“Yeah, why not?” I shrug, trying to sound way more casual than I feel. “I’ve got plenty of space, and let’s be honest, your commute would go from four hours to thirty minutes.
Penny’s staring at me like I’ve completely lost my mind.
Which… fair.
I take advantage of Penny’s temporary speechlessness to keep building my case.
“I promise I’m a good housemate,” I say quickly. “I cook, I clean, and I don’t bring women home.”
I raise a brow, silently challenging her to turn me down after I basically painted myself as the perfect man to live with.
“That’s an idea,” Gio says with a shrug. “Or you could stay with Ruin and me. You know you’re always welcome in our home.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll stay in Miles’s place,” Penny blurts out.
Her answer comes so fast it nearly gives me whiplash.
There’s something mischievous dancing in her eyes, and suddenly my insides feel way too damn tight.
