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Without even looking up from her homework, Charlie laughs, and says, “Spicy ones.”
She and Lex would get along, I think, then scowl.Where the fuck did that come from?In addition to the romance books I saw at her house, I also found a book in the bottom drawer of Lex’s office desk that looked… Yeah, spicy’s a good description for it. It had one woman and four lumberjack-type men on the cover, and after my curiosity got the better of me, I cracked it open. The story, the excerpt I read anyway, was intense. Lots of holes being filled in lots of ways.
That doesn’t mean my mom and Lex are going to meet though. I don’t know why I thought that. Lex is…my boss. Mytemporaryboss.
My temporary boss I got something for.
“Hey.” I rap my knuckles on the counter, finally gaining my mom’s attention.
Pulling the earbuds from her ears, she smiles over at me before putting up a finger, and taking out her phone to hit pause.
Finally hugging her, I steal a look inside the pot, confirming what my nose predicted. Cawl stew, a Welsh dish usually made the day before eating, so Mom’s probably just warming it up right now. Full of lamb, leeks, and root vegetables, it’s a perfect meal for a chilly fall night like tonight.
I actually felt bad for Lex earlier, having to go out to her car without a jacket on. I left before she did, so I know that walk must’ve been cold. Maybe I’ll stay later tomorrow and watch her leave. I don’t like…anybody there. Phil, Kaisin, they all rub me the wrong way. Like little beady motherfuckers just waiting for an opportunity to corner Lex. With Kordin out of the picture, she’s prime for the picking, too.
I guess I’m the one to blame for that. Not that I feel guilty for what I did to Kordin, because I fucking don’t, but I don’t like knowing I possibly put her in danger. After spending one day at her husband’s firm, I can tell those men do consider themselves sharks. Thanks to Lex’s conference room showdown, they’ve picked up her scent, and now there’s no going back. The blood’s in the water. They want her.
I still don’t understand why she did it. What was the purpose of stirring all of us up like that? She’s planning to divorce Kordin and take all of his money. Is she planning to take his company, too? Motherfucker deserves it.
“You got it?” I ask after my mom and I separate.
She gives me a gauging look, but nods toward the fridge. “Of course I got it. Have you no faith in me?”
“I have faith in you. It’s everybody else I don’t trust.”
Opening the fridge, I spot the South African flower and pull it out, inspecting everything from its bright pink bracts surrounding the white fuzzy center to the leathery leaves and thick stem. It’s fucking gorgeous. And wide, easily seven or eight inches in diameter. Not as big as some I’ve seen of this variety, but bigger than the flowers people usually buy. I’ll have to figure out a way to sneak it to her without the real cameras picking it up.
“Why do you need it?” Mom asks over the clinking sound from her gathering bowls.
“No reason,” I mumble, setting it on the counter so I don’t forget it on my way out.
“Reece has a girlfriend,” Breckyn sings several times until Charlie chimes in, too. Getting teased by twin sisters is the fucking worst because everything they do is doubled, like they share a brain but with two mouths still, making them so much fucking louder while being scarily in sync with each other.
“Shut up,” I tell them while bumping Breck out of the way to grab spoons.
She’s on my back in a flash, asking, “Who is she? When can we meet her?”
While trying to shake her off, I let out a deep chuckle. She’s like a fucking koala bear stuck to me.
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“But you want one,” Charlie states as she joins us in the kitchen, the space cramped and hot.
Breckyn drops her feet back to the floor, agreeing with her twin with a nod I can practically hear.
“No. I don’t,” I say with a bite of annoyance I can’t hide. Avoiding everyone’s eyes, I set the utensils out on the small table. I’ve already got my hands full with these three, but of course, I can’t tell them that.
And I’m not giving the flower to Lex for any reason other than it reminds me of her. Or she reminds me of it. Either way, I thought she’d appreciate the gesture. Maybe even take it as a peace offering. Our first few meetings were not my finest, so hopefully I can change her opinion of me enough that she’ll let me keep my new job long enough for me to get my hands on what we’re both looking for.
The four of us sit down to eat and everyone falls into easy conversation, nobody bringing up the girlfriend thing again. The twins talk about different kids at school like I personally know them or give a flying fuck who they’re beefing with this week. I listen anyway, taking bites off the crusty bread between mouthfuls of chunky stew.
“…and they’re really going to the dance together. Can you believe?”
“Dance? Homecoming?” I mumble, my mouth full of lamb.
My mom nods. “Everybody’s putting in their orders last minute.” With wide eyes, she laughs, because it happens every dance, every year. People always wait until the last minute to place their orders for corsages, boutonnieres, and other arrangements for their dates.
Looking around the table, I swallow my food to ask, “It’s this weekend?”
