“You two are the most suspicious married couple in the history of suspicious married couples.”
“Yet you still live here,” I point out.
“Because you two are rich and I like getting paid to babysit the most precious girl in the world.”
Mila lets out a happy squeal and claps her hands together like she agrees with that statement.
Brooke reaches over and brushes a curl away from Mila’s forehead. “Where is this date happening?”
Elise immediately brightens. “Dinner and a movie.”
“With who?” I ask.
She hesitates just long enough to make my blood pressure spike.
“A guy.”
My jaw tightens.
“A guy,” I repeat slowly. “Very descriptive.”
Elise rolls her eyes so hard it is a miracle they stay in her skull.
“His name is Mateo. He works at the bookstore near campus. He reads actual books and listens to music that existed before TikTok. You would hate him.”
“I already do,” I reply.
Brooke nudges my shoulder. “Be nice.”
“I am being nice.”
“You threatened to lock her in a tower five minutes ago.”
“That was a reasonable suggestion.”
Elise throws her hands in the air.
“I’m leaving before he changes his mind and chains me to a radiator.”
She grabs her heels from the entry table and shoves her feet into them. Just before she reaches for the door, I glance toward the living room.
“Ryan.”
Ryan looks up from the couch immediately.
“You’re going with her.”
Elise freezes halfway through opening the door.
“Excuse me?” she says slowly.
Ryan blinks at me. “What?”
“You’re going with her,” I repeat. “You sit three seats away. You watch the guy. If he says something stupid, you let me know.”
Elise turns around fully now, staring at me like I just committed a war crime.
“That is insane.”
