Cook Brothers: The Whole Flipping Family

by BJ Harvey

  I blush, a coy smile playing on my lips. “His name is Jamie.”

  “Short for James or just Jamie?”

  “His younger brother calls him James, but I’m not sure if it’s just teasing or a thing they have.”

  “Interesting,” she says, moving around to the rack opposite me. “So, c’mon, this is like pulling teeth.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “How did you meet?”

  “I barged through his front door to complain about loud music and found him drunk on the floor with a split palm.”

  “Whoa. So, it’s like his nurse fantasy came to life. Nice. No wonder he asked you out,” she says with a snort. “He probably wants a naked reenactment.”

  “Ronnie!” I gasp. “We’re going on one date. It may not lead to a second.”

  She levels me with a glare. “Chick, have you seen yourself? He’s probably planned dates two through ten.”

  I shake my head, unable to stop myself from laughing under my breath. “Well, I’m only focusing on Thursday. We’ll see what happens after that.”

  “Oh, just you wait. Once he sees you Thursday, there’s no doubt what’s gonna happen.”

  “Let’s get on to that, shall we?” I lift a brow and usher her toward more clothes. I see a gorgeous black leather cropped jacket that I know will look fantastic with a shirt and jeans or a dress and strappy heels. I’m the queen of versatile wardrobe staples, so the jacket is a must-buy for me. It’s clothes-lust at first sight.

  Ronnie’s gaze zeroes in on the same jacket. “Yes! You must get that, even if you save it till the date where you nail him. That jacket screams sexy MILF, and it will totally make him say ‘wow.’”

  I grin at her as I grab the jacket in my size. “I’d be happy with my boobs saying ‘hi,’ but wow is better.”

  “Exactly. Now don’t even look at the price because I know you, and you probably haven’t spent any money on yourself in maybe six months…?”

  “Probably nine,” I murmur under my breath.

  “I heard that,” she says with a half-hearted scowl. “That means we definitely need to find a dress to make your ass have its say too.”

  “Mustn’t forget about the ass.”

  “Exactly.” She slaps said derrière playfully. “Now, hand me your purse and try it on.” I do as I’m told and when Ronnie’s eyes light up with approval, I don’t even need a mirror to know I’m getting it. “Now,” she says, “let’s go ring up the jacket, and then we’ll go find the perfect dress to go with it. Oh, and shoes. We’re absolutely getting shoes too.”

  “Guess I’ll be putting my hand up for overtime,” I mutter, but there’s no bitterness. Ronnie’s intentions are—and always will be—in my best interests. Together with Betty, she made sure I didn’t spiral down into depression and lose my self-worth once Patrick and I ended things.

  Once my card is swiped, and the jacket is wrapped, packed and in a bag hanging from my hand, Ronnie hooks her arm in mine, and like we’re going to see the Wizard of Shopping, we skip out of one shop and into the next.

  “You still haven’t told me anything about Jamie other than he’s a clumsy drunk who hurts himself, and that he has a younger brother.”

  “Three of them actually,” I reply. “And a sister.”

  Ronnie’s eyes widen. “And are they hot?” I smirk at her by way of an answer, and she sighs—loudly. “So Jamie, tell me about him.”

  “Jamie is good with his hands and good with Axel. He rebuilt my flower garden when his roofing contractors destroyed it. He can man a grill like he owns it, and he calls me lovely.” I pause when she starts waving her hand in the air.

  “I kind of hate you right now but I also love this for you too. So continue.”

  “He’s hot, in a big, strong man way, has a voice like smooth, aged whiskey, and wraps his arms around me as if he’s protecting me from the world while turning me inside out at the same time.”

  She levels me with a stare. “Can he kiss? Because even with all of that, if he can’t kiss, it could be a deal-breaker.”

  “I don’t know. We haven’t kissed yet.” Her mouth drops open as she stands there like a guppy fish waiting for food.

  “You say he’s hot without knowing if he can walk the walk? Jesus.” She starts fanning herself, gesturing for me to stop. “I need a minute to get over the thought of that. I’m not going to get in on your action but if his brothers are single and anything like that, sign me up.”

  I bite my lip, trying to hold back a giggle. “Ron, I’ll find out and let you know.”

  “It’s your best-friend duty to look out for my interests: dating, sex, or all of the above,” she says with a smirk.

  “Right. Now that we’ve gotten past that discussion, we need to find something to go with the jacket,” I say.

  She scans the store and stops on a rack of dresses. “Let’s split this task. You go to the shoe section and find a pair of grey, tan, or black strappy pumps. I’m finding you a dress.”

  “I need more than a dress. I need the dress, Ron.”

  She quirks a brow and tilts her head. “Have I ever led you astray?”

  “Well…”

  “College doesn’t count,” she adds with a wide grin.

  “Then no.”

  “Exactly.” She reaches over the clothes rack and wiggles her fingers at me, clasping my hand tight when I slide it in hers. “You deserve happiness, April, and if I can help guide you there in any capacity, you know I’m gonna be shoving you wherever you need to be. So go…” She gives my fingers a gentle squeeze. “Find some shoes that will have his tongue rolling out of his mouth and trying to find a home in yours, and I’ll find the dress that’ll have him dropping to his knees to worship you.”

  I grin, loving everything she’s said and loving her even more. “I’d be happy with making him speechless… maybe throw him off his game for a bit.”

  “The man has game?” she asks, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

  “He plays like he invented the goddamn game and he owns all the players.”

  “Okay,” she says with a nod. “We definitely have to wow him now. And when he loses the ability to speak, you have my permission to thank me.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  “The deal isn’t done till you get laid, and I get to meet the brothers. But first, let’s get you wowed.”

  11

  Jamie

  After a week that has gone from bad to worse as far as the renovations go, the bright spot has been my date with April tonight. With contractor delays, tile order mishaps, and a case of the stomach flu knocking out workers left, right, and center, I need tonight to go well.

  Now that I’m standing on her front porch, about to pick her up, I’m nervous as hell.

  This is obviously not my first date, but it is my first with her, and this time it feels different. She’s different. She’s not afraid to go toe to toe with me, and she also doesn’t take any of my shit. That has been refreshing and, weirdly, freeing. Even the day I walked into my old boss’s office and handed in my letter of resignation pales in comparison.

  I feel pressure every single day with this house project, but I’ve been using it to motivate me and inspire me to not only finish the flip early but also come in under budget. I have the aim of selling for a healthy profit to use for the next house, and the next one after that.

  I’m pushing that all aside for tonight though because my sole focus is on April and showing her that this chemistry and electric dynamic between us is worth taking further. I want to know what makes her tick, and how she came to be a full-time working single mom living with her mother-in-law. I want to know what she likes and dislikes—other than arrogant neighbors who she takes a disliking to at first sight. I’ve been working to turn around that first impression of me, and after Sunday night, when I caught more than a glimpse of interest and definite attraction, I want to explore everything there is that makes her who she is.

  In the
seven months since Heather broke up with me, I haven’t been open to dating anyone… until now.

  With a bunch of flowers clutched tightly in my hand, I knock on April’s door and stand there, shifting my weight from one foot to the other as I stare at the door, willing it to open.

  When it does, I open my mouth to say hello but all thoughts escape my brain when I lock my gaze onto the absolutely stunning woman standing in front of me.

  Her long brown hair that’s normally tied up in a messy bun is now flowing over one shoulder, her eyes dark and smoky, her lips painted a subtle brown. I roam lower, drawn to the low V of her black dress peeking through a dark leather jacket that covers her shoulders.

  Then there are her legs, which seem impossibly sun-kissed and long, finished off with the sexiest pair of tan strappy heels that I immediately imagine feeling as they dig into my ass.

  She clears her throat, and I lazily glide my gaze back up to meet her amused eyes. “See something you like?” she asks with a quirked brow.

  “Give me a minute. My brain has disengaged, and I need time to burn this image into my mind.” For later. I do not say those last two words out loud. I was raised to be a gentleman after all.

  Her smile widens, and I don’t miss the tinge of pink tinting her cheeks. She looks down at my hand now strangling the flowers and back up again. “Are those for me?”

  “Shit, yes… sorry.” I clear my throat, shaking my head to clear the lust-fueled fog that’s turned me into a bumbling idiot. If she wanted to throw me off my game with her outfit, she definitely won this round. I hold the bouquet out for her. “Yeah,” I say quietly.

  Her fingers brush mine as she takes the flowers from me, searing my skin in the process. “I’ll just go put them in water,” she says, shooting me a smile before turning and giving me a groan-inducing, fantasy-inspiring look at her outfit from behind. How long has it been since a woman has affected me like this?

  She walks down the short hall and to a grinning Betty who gives me a wave. Axel comes racing into view, hugging his mom’s legs. April bends down and gives him a kiss and a hug. He turns his head towards me and gives me a chin lift, of all things. Then April straightens, ruffles his hair, and hooks her purse over her shoulder. With her eyes locked with mine, she walks back toward me.

  When she reaches my side, I hold out my hand, tangling my fingers with hers when her palm slides against mine, giving one last wave to Betty and Axel before closing the door behind us.

  After walking her to my truck and closing the door behind her, I move around to the driver’s side and hop in, concentrating on starting the engine and pulling out of the driveway. I don’t concentrate on what I really want to do, which is go to my place and take my time showing her exactly how much I appreciate her outfit.

  “You’re quiet,” she says once we’re a safe distance away from home, reducing the temptation of ruining my plans to be a gentleman. “And you’re gripping the steering wheel like your life depends on it.”

  When I lift a brow in her direction, she smiles as she looks back at the road. Knowing I need to give her an answer, I decide to go with the safe side of honest. “Honestly, driving is the only thing distracting me from how sexy you look tonight.”

  Her soft gasp is gratifying. “You don’t look too bad yourself. Although I will say…” She reaches out and runs her index finger over the edge of my thigh, “…part of me misses those dirty work jeans you seem to live in.”

  That earns a chuckle, and I feel the tension seep out of me. “I promise I’ll wear them on our next date.”

  Her eyes widen before her lips curve into a sexy smile. “Planning another date already? We haven’t even finished the first.”

  “I’m an ambitious guy. What can I say?”

  “Ambitious or cocky?”

  “Maybe confident sounds better?” I reply, my lips twitching. I’m not sure I’ve smiled so much on a date before, and it’s barely started.

  When she doesn’t say anything else, and comfortable silence stretches between us, I take that as a win.

  “You didn’t say no to a second date…”

  She shakes her head and grins. “I’m taking it under advisement.”

  “I’ll just have to win you over then,” I reply with a smirk.

  “Or maybe I just want to see the jeans again.”

  A growl escapes before I can stop myself. Reaching over the center console, I grab hold of her hand and lace her fingers with mine, and that’s how we stay for the rest of the drive to my favorite Mexican hole-in-the-wall.

  Twenty minutes later, we’re being ushered toward the back of the restaurant to a booth I requested. I figured that the quieter it is, the easier it will be to get to know each other. Soon the server delivers our drinks—a margarita for April and a Corona for me—and we sit there like two kids on their own for the first time.

  “This is weird, right?” she says, leaning towards me. We’re sitting side by side, each framing a corner of the table, our calves touching underneath.

  “It’s good. I feel relaxed.”

  She laughs. “That’s good. You seemed tense in the truck.”

  “I was nervous,” I admit. “This week hasn’t been good, and I’ve really been looking forward to tonight.” Before I can overthink my instinct, I reach out and cover her hand with mine. Touching her feels so natural, how it’s supposed to be. She doesn’t blink an eye at the move; she simply turns her palm over and tangles her fingers with mine.

  “So how’s the house going? Is that the cause of your bad week? It always seems to be a hive of activity whenever I look over to your side.”

  I tense up. “Has it been disruptive? Because I’ll talk to Jase, the site foreman if the contractors are causing any trouble.” She gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “No, Jamie. I was just making conversation. Showing an interest,” she adds with a wink.

  “Shit,” I say, letting out a breath. “Sorry. I’m just…”

  “On edge?” she teases.

  “Yeah. And scared of fucking up and saying something to piss you off.”

  She lifts her margarita glass to her lips, her eyes warm as she takes a sip and lowers it back to the table. “I’ve already decided you like me a little fiery. You seem to like riling me up so much, I’d almost say it gets you going.” Those words roll off her tongue like an aphrodisiac. I’m not about to tell her she’s wrong. “Besides, maybe I like you a little off your game. I like seeing there’s a soft spot beneath that armor of yours.”

  That piques my interest. “Armor?”

  “Oh yeah.” She looks me up and down. “There’s definitely a hard shell there needing to be cracked.”

  And just like that, she owns me.

  “Enough of the heavy stuff. Tell me about Jamie Cook before he flipped houses.”

  I’m thrown a little bit by everything April says and does. She intrigues me, and the more time I spend with her, the more I want to know.

  I take a swig of my beer and rest my shoulder against the side of the leather booth. “Left high school and always had an interest in boats, so I enlisted with the Coast Guard.”

  Her eyes widen. “Oh, wow. That sounds so cool.”

  “It was, but it was also draining towards the end. So, I finished my eight-year service, then got a job on a tourist charter boat.”

  She scrunches her nose up, looking adorably confused. “And now you flip houses?”

  I can’t help but grin across at her. “Yeah. I always wanted to start my own business in construction or carpentry, and I decided that in the current property market, I could really give it a shot.”

  “All by yourself?”

  “I was going to go it alone, but my brothers wanted to get involved as well. So they all chipped in, and they help out whenever they can outside of their day jobs. I’ve always liked to make stuff, and I worked with my friends Jase and Matt on their construction site for a few months to learn the things I didn’t know.”

  She leans back and lets out a
breath. “That’s so…”

  “Dumb?”

  “I was going to say brave. My friend Ronnie just made a dramatic career change, and from what I can see with her, it’s a lot of work. I admire your ambition.”

  God, that feels so damn good to hear. “My parents have been a great sounding board; my whole family has. It’s definitely hard work, but I can already see results from almost a month of work, so I can’t wait to see how it looks when we’re closer to the ninety-day mark.”

  “And the bonus of it all is you’re helping to boost the property values of neighboring houses too,” she says with a wide grin, holding her glass out to clink with my beer bottle. “So thanks for that.”

  “You’re welcome… I hope.”

  “I have faith in you, Jamie. You seem like a man who goes after what he wants and doesn’t stop until he achieves success.”

  This woman is good for a man’s confidence.

  The server arrives with our dishes, the two of us having previously decided on four different tapas plates to share between us: tamales, flautitas, nachos, and quesadillas.

  “How about you?” I ask, after tasting what I’ve declared are the best flautitas in Illinois.

  “I went to college and have been working at Northwestern ever since,” she says with a shrug. “I love my job and being able to work the hours I do and with Betty’s help, Axel gets to see his mom working hard for our future, and gets a stable, loving home in the process.”

  “I’m in awe of you. I know it can’t be easy, but you should be very proud of what you’ve done and achieved. Axel may be… rambunctious… but he’s a very cool kid.”

  Her eyes mist over, and her soft expression is begging to be kissed. But I could be projecting, because all I’ve wanted to do since I picked her up was kiss the living shit out of this woman.

  “Thank you. He definitely keeps us on our toes,” she replies.

  I want to ask about her ex—Axel’s father—and how he came to exit their lives, but that’s not exactly first-date conversation material, so I table that for later.