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Heat floods my cheeks as I step back and clutch the package closer. The last thing I need is to drop a leather studded bra and a riding crop on the sidewalk. How do you explain that to two small children? “I saw them at the homecoming festival. I was face painting, and they stumbled up to my booth.”
“Right.” She nods. “The day I had the interview and couldn’t come with the kids. They mentioned meeting one of Cole’s friends, but he didn’t elaborate. I assumed it was one of the guys.”
“No.” I shrug. “It was me.” Of course, he didn’t elaborate. I’ve never been anything more than an afterthought.
“So….” She arches her eyebrows and tips her head sideways as the kids jog around my parked car, playing a game of tag. If I were parked on the street, I would discourage them from playing even though the street is empty of traffic. “What’s the special occasion? Are you and Cole seeing each other?”
“No!” God, no.
Cole stands at the threshold with his parents on either side of him, and I ache to dig a hole in the ground and disappear. I remember when I was a kid and believed if you dug enough, you could come out on the other side of the earth. And boy, what I wouldn’t give to have that be a reality right about now.
Cole’s face is tight as he meets my gaze. “No, Harbor and I aren’t dating. We’re doing a favor for Layla.” He raises his arm and glances at his watch. “And she should be here at any minute, so you guys should probably head out.” The muscle in his jaw flexes as the tension in the air cracks.
“Son, you could do so much worse.” Garrett pats Cole’s back. “Harbor is a nice girl.”
“Garrett.” Ann Marie glares at him. “You don’t say it like that. That’s rude.” She latches her hand around her husband’s bicep. “No wonder the boy doesn’t have a girlfriend if he learned how to flatter a woman from you.” She shifts her attention to me as I shift from foot to foot. Surely, one of them has a shovel. If I start digging now, I could disappear in a couple of days. “Harbor is beautiful.” She whips her head around and eyes Cole. “Isn’t she?”
“Yes, Mom.” The words come out choked. Perfect. This is absolutely perfect. I’ll dig with my fingernails. The only compliment he’s ever going to give me, and it’s because his mom is close enough to bop him on the chest if he doesn’t say the right thing.
“Of course, she’s beautiful,” Garrett mutters. “I didn’t say she wasn’t.”
Oh, my God. I’m going to die. In the process of this humiliating conversation, Emilia gathers up the kids, positions them in front of her, and says, “So, what’s wrong with my brother? Why won’t you date him? I realize he’s a guy and all, so that’s a point against him, but he’s not that bad. He’s great with my kids. He’s been a rock for me to depend upon after my ex dumped me. And he loves his mom and dad.”
“Good job, Emilia.” Cole’s mom beams. “See, dear, that’s how you compliment someone.”
“Oh, for the love of all things holy. Go. Home,” Cole groans and shoves them farther onto the front porch. “Harbor and I aren’t dating. She’s here to do a photo shoot with me for Layla. That’s it. End of story. And besides, I’m doing it as a favor for Connor. He doesn’t want anyone messing around with Harbor.”
His face turns red and for a second, I feel redemption. At least I’m not the only one feeling under the microscope.
“What kind of photo shoot?” Emilia’s eyes dance as she giggles and shoves her kids toward his parent’s house. “What kind of clothes are in the bag?” She tips her chin sideways. “It’s a small bag, so I’m assuming there isn’t much in there.”
“Oh….” Anne Marie clutches her chest. If she had pearls around her neck, she’d have them fisted in her hand and fanning herself. “Oh, my…”
“Go.” Cole stomps the three steps back to the door and glares at all of them. “Now.”
“Yes….” Anne Marie fans herself harder. “We should go.” Her gaze darts to the house. “Oh, my…. I….”
“Let’s go, dear.” Garrett grabs his wife’s hand and leads her to the house.
“So….” Emilia’s eyes dance with laughter. “What’s in the bag?”
“Nothing.” I hold it with a death grip to my chest.
“It must be something.” Her voice holds a sing-song tone as she waggles her eyebrows.
“Emilia, go away.”
“Yes, Sir.” She straightens as stiff as a board and salutes him. When her hand smacks down at her thigh, she says, “I can’t wait to see the shoot. I’m going to beg Layla for an early preview.” She spins on her heel and glances over her shoulder. “Be sure to smack him in the ass with that riding crop. He deserves it for destroying my favorite doll back in third grade.”
Sweat breaks out on my forehead as I swing the bag in a circle and frown. You can’t tell what’s in it, can you?
She bites her lips while smirking. “Have fun tying each other up. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She practically skips as she navigates the sidewalk toward the house and then slows down. “Why does he get to have all the fun? I’m the one with two kids and absolutely no prospects of kinky sex. Hell, I don’t even have sex.” She slings the door open, and it thumps closed behind her.
“Harbor, I’m sorry for all that.” He shoves his hands into his gray sweatpants, and my mouth dries. I was too freaked out to notice what he was wearing until now. Still damp hair. Skintight white T-shirt. And gray sweatpants that–
I jerk my eyes off his package and stifle a groan. This day is going to be a clusterfuck.
Chapter Fourteen
