“Please, don’t bother explaining. Based on Hunter’s explanation, it doesn’t sound like a plan you would have gone along with.”
“So, you’re not upset with me?”
I shook my head. “No, but I have to admit, for a minute, I thought Lucy was one of your girlfriends from the city.”
His brows furrowed and he glanced over at her. “Why would you think that?”
“Well, she didn’t look like anyone from around here, and you knew her,” I shrugged. “I just assumed that you were nervous because she was an ex.”
He chuckled slightly. “Yeah, I didn’t expect her to walk through that door.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at me with a cocky smirk. “So, you were jealous.”
I averted my eyes, not wanting to admit that I was in fact jealous of a woman based solely on the fact that she might be after Robert. “Maybe.”
He nodded. “I like you being jealous.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well, if you weren’t, I must not be doing something right.”
He glanced down at his watch and swore. “Well, now that I’m late for my meeting, I really have to run. I’m really sorry about the other night, and everything else that happened this morning.”
“It’s fine. Let’s just move on.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t help you move this weekend.”
I waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. I enjoyed working by myself.”
“I don’t know when I’m going to be able to come down and see you again. I have a busy week.”
“Maybe I can drive up to see you.”
“You’d do that?”
“I want to see you. Maybe I can drive up during the week a few times, and you can come down here on the weekends.”
His arm slid around my waist and he pulled me in close. “I like the sound of that,” he said before he pressed a kiss to my mouth. He lingered for a moment like he wanted to stay, but then he pulled back and sighed. “I have to go. I’ll call you later.”
“Bye.”
As he walked out the door, I sighed, happy that our issues were fixed and we weren’t fighting anymore. Carter strode up beside me, a devilish smirk on his face. “So, I guess this means no coffee dates or dinners.”
“Not when I have Robert’s brother, who happens to be badass ex-military on speed dial,” I said as I walked away.
Robert
“So, I’m gonna ask Anna to move in with me,” I said as I tossed down two cards. The whole table stilled. I glanced up and saw Eric staring at me.
“You just bought her a house. Why would she move up to the city?”
“Because we hardly saw each other all week. She came up once, and it wasn’t nearly enough time with her.”
Eric’s brows furrowed. “Wouldn’t that be a big pain in the ass for her to drive an hour every day to work?”
“She doesn’t need to work. I make enough money. She could go back to school and figure out what she really wants to do.”
“What’s wrong with what she does now?” Andrew asked.
“There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s like you said, it wouldn’t make sense to drive that far to work.”
“Did you ever stop to think that she might not want to live in the city?” Eric asked. “Besides, she likes her job, and I don’t appreciate you trying to take my office manager away from me.”
“Look, we’ve got something good going for us. I wanted to ask her to marry me, but it’s too soon for that.”
“So, you decided that asking her to move away from her home, her job, her life, and go live some fairytale in the city would be better,” Will deadpanned.
“What the hell, guys? I thought you would be happy for me.”
“We are,” Joe insisted, “but I think you’ve got this one all wrong. Anna likes living in the country. Why would she just pick up and leave everything?”
“Because she loves me, you idiot.”
“It’s not just about love,” Eric said. “You can’t just ask her to give up everything and go live somewhere else. Especially since you’ve only been seeing her for less than a month.”
“It’s not like I’m asking her to move to Kansas,” I snapped.
“She’d probably be okay with Kansas,” Joe muttered.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Do you even know Anna anymore?” Will asked. “I mean, you’re talking about uprooting her whole life to go do what? Your big plan is that she can go back to school?”
“Look, when we were kids, all we ever talked about was getting away. She didn’t want to live here. She wanted something different. I can give that to her.”
“Yeah, but that was when her mom was a drunk, she was in love with a kid that didn’t know how to fuck, and that boyfriend hadn’t broken her heart yet.”
I tossed a chip at Andrew. “You’re such a douchebag. I want her in my life, and not just on the weekends. This is the next logical step.”
“Then why can’t you move down here?” Joe asked.
“Because I work in Chicago.”
“Ah,” Eric nodded. “And your work is important, but hers isn’t.”
“Exactly,” I said incredulously, then realized my error when they all stared me down. “I just mean that I have an established job and she doesn’t.”
“She’s been working with me for over a year,” Eric pointed out.
“Yeah, but it’s just a job. Anyone can be a secretary.”
“God, you sound like a dick,” Will said, shaking his head. “I hope that when you ask Anna to move in with you, you don’t tell her that her job is so easy a cat could do it.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“No, but it’s what she’s going to hear. And then, not only are you not going to get her to move in with you, you’ll also be single. As in, never see or hear from her again. Yanking the chain on your own. Back to screwing desperate women that only want you for your money. Buying your own casket because no one else will care when you die.”
“Wow, thanks for showing how much you care.”
Will shook his head. “Hey, you’re the one digging your own grave.”
“Just do me a favor,” Eric asked. “Wait just a little longer. I mean, the wedding is in a week and I don’t want Kat to be depressed when she finds out one of her bridesmaids is fleeing the state.”
“Seriously, I’m just asking her to move in with me!”
“Has she agreed that you’re in a relationship yet?” Andrew asked.
I looked at him funny. “Of course, she knows we’re in a relationship.”
“But has she said that you’re in a relationship? Because she’s been saying for a long time that you’re together not in a relationship. Which, by the way, makes absolutely no sense.”
“No, it does,” Joe nodded. “It’s like, they’re together, but not together.”
“Like I said,” Andrew shook his head. “That makes no sense. Either you’re together or you’re not. And if you still don’t have a definitive answer, do not ask her to move in with you.”
I looked at Eric and jerked my chin in his direction. “What do you think?”
“Who me? I don’t know that I’m the person to answer that. After all, I just hired a woman that could do a job that anyone could do.”
I threw my head back and sighed. “That’s not what I meant.”
“It’s what you said. Sorry, man, but there is no way you will convince her right now to move in with you with that attitude.”
“What attitude? That attitude that I want to be with her?”
“Okay, first of all,” Will said, putting down his cards. “You didn’t once speak of love or needing her. You said it would be more convenient. Second,-“
“You know I love her.”
He held up his hand and continued. “Second, you should be thinking about what she wants. She gave up a freaking year of her life because she was having your baby. And by the time the baby came, you were o
ff doing your thing and had completely forgotten about her.”
“I did not forget about her.”
“And then her mom died and where were you?” Will continued. “Off at school.”
“Hey, Dad and Ma had me on a tight leash.”
“Yeah,” Eric huffed. “And they would have refused for you to come home and go to your ex-girlfriend’s mom’s funeral.”
“It was a different time,” I said frustratedly. “And when did this turn into all of you picking on me? I came here to share some good news and you’re all acting like I’m breaking up with her.”
“Well, you could save yourself some time and do just that,” Joe said. “Because if you think she’s going to move with you to the city, it’s not going to turn out the way you want.”
“I don’t believe this. I came here for support and instead all I get is you guys telling me what a jackass I am.”
“Well, think about it,” Eric snapped. “You live a different life than her. She never seems excited to go to the city. She doesn’t like it there. She goes for you, but can you honestly say that she’s comfortable in that monstrosity you call an apartment? It’s sterile and gives me the hives.”
“Yeah, why do you think none of us ever go there?” Joe asked.
“You guys don’t like my place?”
Will’s eyebrows shot high. “Are you kidding me? That’s the place souls go to die.”
“What are you talking about? I have an excellent view.”
“That you can only see from the top of the building,” Andrew pointed out. “Once you walk outside, it’s crowded and noisy.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “The next thing you know, you’ll be telling me you hate my car too.”
“We do,” they all chimed in.
“And your phone,” Eric added. “I hate that fucking thing.”
“I would pay big money to see you toss that thing in a river,” Will laughed.
“I’m not on my phone all the time,” I argued.
“Like hell you’re not. I haven’t seen you once put away your phone during poker night.”
As if on cue, my phone buzzed on the table. I quickly snatched it and slid it into my pocket, but not before reading the screen to find out who was texting me. It was my client, and I really needed to get it, but if I got it now, I would be proving their point.
“Whatever. I have a job that requires me to be on call.”
“There’s such a thing as business hours,” Will pointed out. “Tell your clients to contact you during that time unless it’s an emergency. But frankly, I’m not sure how a divorce attorney could have an emergency.”
“You know what? Fine. It’s in my pocket and it’ll stay there the rest of the night.”
“Right,” Eric laughed. “We’ll see about that.”
“I can do it.”
“Sure,” Joe grinned.
“I can. I can give it up any time I want.”
“Spoken like a true addict,” Andrew nodded.
I glared at him and finished my beer. “I’m going to the bathroom, and when I get back, my money better still be there.”
“Because you would notice if one of your millions went missing?” Joe teased.
“I don’t make millions,” I threw over my shoulder as I headed for the bathroom. As soon as I was inside, I pulled out my phone and checked the message. Damnit, my client’s wife had evidence of his infidelity, which would invalidate the prenup. I needed to get on this now or he would be fucked. I typed out a quick message and washed my hands. When I yanked open the door, my brothers were all leaning against the wall and grinning at me. Eric held out his hand, motioning for me to hand it over.
“What?”
“The phone.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We didn’t hear any piss,” Joe said.
“I’m a quiet pee-er.”
“Yeah, and I shit cotton balls,” Andrew retorted.
They all continued to stare at me, so I pulled out my phone and handed it over. Unfortunately, the screen lock hadn’t activated yet and Eric quickly scanned through my messages.
“Well, well, well, looks like someone didn’t even last five minutes. Looks like it’s pay day, boys!”
I shoved past them and snatched my jacket off the back of my chair. “Fuck off. I have to take care of this.”
I opened the door to walk out when Will called after me, “So, should we expect a housewarming invite? Would you prefer steak knives or a shot gun?”
I flipped them off and kept walking.
Anna
I was busy finishing up filing some paperwork when the office door opened. I turned to see Mr. Bradley standing in the doorway. He was an older gentleman, probably around seventy or so, and as far as I knew, his house was in pretty good shape. Maybe he wanted an addition put on.
“Mr. Bradley, it’s good to see you. What can I help you with?”
“I was actually here to ask if Robert was going to be in town anytime soon.”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Um, he’ll be down this weekend. Why?” My eyes widened. “You and Mrs. Bradley aren’t getting a divorce, are you?”
“No,” he chuckled. “I’m having some trouble with my will. I wanted to make some changes and there aren’t many attorneys around that can help me with what I need. See, it’s a little more complicated and I want to make sure that it’s done right.”
“Well, Robert doesn’t really handle that stuff,” I said with a shrug. “I don’t think he could help you.”
He sighed. “I heard about what he did for his brother. I thought maybe…well, anyway, I’ll keep looking for someone else.”
“Wait,” I said as he turned to go. “Why don’t you leave your information. I can pass it along, and let you know what he says.”
“Thanks, darling. That’s very sweet of you.”
He came over and wrote down his information, then gave a wink and walked away. I felt bad for the man, but I wasn’t sure Robert would want to even do something like this. He was busy enough as it was.
I finished my filing just as Eric walked through the door. “Hey, boss. Long day?”
He sighed and flopped down in the chair across from me. “You would think that with Christmas just around the corner I would get a break, but everyone wants something done just before the holidays. It’s Saturday! I thought it would be a slow day and I would go home early. I swear, I’ll be booked on my wedding day.”
“Not possible. The whole town will be there.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Is Kat ready? Is there anything else she needs from me?”
He shook his head. “I think she’s mostly ready. Thank you for doing everything, by the way. She didn’t want this to begin with, so I know she’s thrilled to not have all the planning.”
“Well, I’m glad I could help.”
“What are you and Robert planning for your vacation?”
“Honestly? I haven’t talked to him about it yet. I was hoping that we could just hang around my house. I want to get some work done on it.”
“Your house, huh?” he said absentmindedly. “So, you’re not planning to spend it in the city?”
“God, no. The last thing I want to do is go spend a week in the city. The only reason I go up there is to see Robert, but if he’s not working, I don’t see any need to be up there.”
He nodded to himself and I got the feeling he wanted to say something to me.
“Eric?”
“You like your job, right?”
“I love it. It’s perfect for me.”
He nodded again, a strange look passing over his face.
“What is it? You’re not firing me, are you?”
“What? God, no! I hope you never leave.”
I quirked an eyebrow and smiled at him. “We’ve come a long way from me throwing donuts at you.”
“I’m not counting stars yet. Any day now, I’ll walk through that door and get jelly in my fa
ce.”
“Well, only if you piss me off,” I laughed.
He got quiet again and leaned forward in his seat. “Look, I shouldn’t be saying anything to you, but I don’t want you to be blindsided.”
“Okay,” I said slowly.
He sighed, running his hand across his jaw. “I’m going to hell for saying this.”
“Saying what?”
“Look, Robert wants to ask you to move in with him. We all told him he was crazy, that you wouldn’t want to live in the city, but he didn’t seem to think that was true. He thinks that you’ll want to go to school for something you love and everything will be perfect.”
My heart thudded loudly in my chest. He wanted me to move in? That was insane. “But, I just got my house. Why would I move up there?”
“He thinks that you’ll do it because it’s the only way you guys can spend time together.”
I sighed and leaned back in my seat. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Look, I feel terrible, like I’m going against my brother here. But I can tell this isn’t what you want, so I’m asking you to try and get through to him. And…”
“And what?”
“If this isn’t what you want, if you don’t think this will work, don’t lead him on. I’ve seen him over the last month and he’s happier than he’s ever been. I know how much he loves you. So, if you don’t think there’s a way to make this work, walk away.”
Tears filled my eyes, but I quickly blinked them back. I knew Eric wasn’t asking me this because he didn’t want me with his brother. He was trying to protect him, and by doing that, he was also protecting me. And he was completely right. I needed to really think about what I wanted, because if Robert asked me to move in with him, I would need to be prepared, no matter what my answer was.
I was at my house, just staring out the window, trying to come up with some answers when Robert called.
“Hey, what are you doing?” he asked.
“Um…you know,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “Just working on the house.”
“Yeah? I got off early tonight. I thought I’d come down and stay the night.”
“You know, I don’t think tonight is good.”
Collateral Damage: A Small Town Romance Page 26