Page 56 of Made for Mayhem

“She agreed it was best for Junie,” I said. “At least until she gets her feet under her.”

Emmy nodded. “Which means?”

I adjusted the brim of my hat and gave her the short version—the job situation, her sister’s place, why Junie couldn’t stay there. The logistics. The gaps that didn’t leave Daisy with many options.

“She moved into my guest room,” I finished. “It made the most sense.”

Emmy’s expression shifted as the pieces clicked into place, concern softening into something deeper. “Oh.”

“She’s trying,” I added. “Hard.”

“I didn’t think otherwise,” Emmy said. “That’s a lot for her.”

“And for you,” she added after a beat.

I shrugged. “I can handle it.”

“I know,” she said. “You always do.”

Silence settled between us, and I picked up another taco, taking a bite. Rowdy rested his chin on my knee, giving me those big eyes in hopes I’d let him have a bite.

Then her eyes sharpened again, curiosity slipping back in. “I didn’t realize you knew her from Chicago.”

I pointed my taco at her. “This is the problem with you being engaged to my best friend. You know too much.”

She laughed. “I know just enough. Name, city, tragic circumstances, and that you opened your house to her.”

“For Junie,” I corrected.

“I know.” She held up her hands. “I’m just saying—having a woman in your house is different than a kid.”

I adjusted my hat again, and she grinned.

“Stop it, Emmy.”

“I’m not doing anything, Ty. Just being a kind sister.”

I grabbed my hat, this time setting it on my knee so I’d stop messing with it. “Please stay out of it, Em. Junie is the priority here, not whatever misguided attempt at matchmaking this is.”

“I’m not saying anything. Except that maybe Junie’s not the only one benefiting from her being here.”

I didn’t rise to the bait, shoving the last of my taco in my mouth instead.

The silence didn’t last long, but it never did with Emmy. “So, what happens when the six weeks are up?”

I let out a low laugh that didn’t have any humor in it. “I don’t fucking know, Em. She’s Daisy’s niece. I’m just…” I gestured around the office, around town. “I’m convenient.”

“You’re more than that, Ty.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. But that doesn’t mean it matters.”

I’d thought about it all night. If Daisy got on her feet—got a job, found stability—she’d get full custody. Even with me listed in the Will, CPS would override it for family, if they thought that was best. And I wouldn’t stand in her way. Hell, I wanted her to get her feet under her. Junie deserved a stable future, and if Daisy could give her that, then she should. Even if it gutted me.

Emmy popped the tab on her Diet Coke, the fizzy sound drawing my eyes up. “Then we make her want to stay.”

My head dropped back and I let out a low groan, staring at the ceiling. “No.”

“Yes,” she shot back. “This town is magic, Ty. Linwood brought me peace, and I think you found it here too. She used to come here as a kid, right? That’s Maggie’s younger niece?”