Page 26 of Under the Radar

“You might want to separate those two,” I muttered as her mom came back in, Dom following. “Or get a hose.”

Hannah giggled, nudging me with her elbow. “Stop it,” she repeated. “He’s your friend. Tell him to back off.”

“I am not telling that man anything. She’s your mother.” I shook my head. “How the hell that is possible, I don’t know, but that’s what she says.”

“She had me when she was eighteen. I’m twenty-eight. She is forty-six.”

“Doesn’t look it.”

“I know.”

“Dom is forty-eight. Perfect age for each other.”

“She lives in Toronto and isn’t looking for a man.”

“I wasn’t looking for you either,” I said, without thinking.

Hannah’s hands stilled, and our eyes met. “I mean, I thought I’d get a roomie with balls. You know. A dick. Like mine. Fuck. I mean, a guy. But I got you. You are so much better than balls.”

“Or a dick?” she asked, her lips twitching.

“Definitely better than a dick. You smell way better.”

“Sniff dicks often, do you?”

I began to laugh. She joined in, and without thinking, I pulled her into my arms and hugged her. I dropped a kiss to her head and stepped back, grabbing the plate of meat she handed me. I met Charly’s all-seeing gaze and her knowing wink as she came into the room. I tried to ignore it.

“Smooth,” she muttered as I went by. “The whole dick conversation. You sure know how to woo a woman.”

“I try.”

She shook her head. “You should try harder, Chase.”

I looked at the way Hannah was still laughing as she poured a bag of chips into a bowl. I liked making her smile that way. She was fucking beautiful.

“No, I’m good.”

Charly’s smile was soft as she looked between Hannah and me.

“Yeah, you are.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Chase

The Gallagher women were drill sergeants in another life. There was no doubt about it. Lunch was served—trays of crusty sandwiches, dips, veggies. Cheese and crackers. Cut-up fruit. Cupcakes. Then they organized us all into pairs—each getting a different area to paint. I tried not to grin when Dom announced he and Cherry would do the hall. “I’ll do the high parts. Cherry here can look after the bottom. Once we’re finished, we’ll move into the living room since it’s the biggest area, and we can help with that,” he said with a satisfied nod.

I had a feeling he wanted to take on the hall since the chances of brushing up against Cherry were high in the narrow space. I noticed the way he situated himself close to wherever she was. He did it casually, moving to get another sandwich, walking over to pour another coffee or get a soda for someone. He’d end up beside Cherry, talking to her or simply watching her, the look on his face intense. Hannah and I exchanged more than one amused glance, and Charly was practically vibrating in her seat. She loved matchmaking and pushing couples together.

She was enthusiastic with her response. “Good plan, Dom. I bet you’ll make a great team. Gabby and I will start the living room. We’ve painted together before.” She smiled innocently at me. “You and Hannah can tackle your room, okay, Chase?”

“Sure,” I agreed easily, ignoring her subtle little wink.

“We have the brushes, rollers, and paint trays in each area all ready to go,” Cherry said. “And the right paint. Lots of rags plus the stepladders.”

“So organized,” Dom muttered. “I do love me a woman who is organized.”

Cherry snorted. “You have to be. Try being a single mother who has to get her kid ready for school and be at work on time every day. You learn fast.”