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“No, it looks like a child lives here. Trust me. Even my sister had a messy house during Lexi’s infancy. And she’s like a machine.”
“I just… I don’t normally live like this,” she says then, a mild bout of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.
“Maria, stop. Seriously. I’m a forty-four-year-old bachelor. You think I keep my place pristine all the time?” I shake my head. “Not a chance.”
When her eyes flit over the mess again, I know I’m going to have to remove her from the space if there’s any hope of preserving the rest and relaxation I’ve managed to get her to take.
“Listen, I think we should get out. Get some fresh air. Exercise our lungs. That sort of thing.”
“What did you have in mind? I didn’t do my hair after the shower or anything,” she says, and a self-deprecating smile follows. “So I’m not exactly ready for a night on the town.”
“I think you look perfect for any occasion, but I was thinking a walk in the park. Not a walk on the red carpet. You can rest assured that all of those expensive heels you love to wear can stay in the closet.”
“Are you knocking my red soles?”
I grin. “I’d never think to do something like that.”
Truthfully, those heels I’ve seen her wear, they’re sexy as hell, even on a woman who was full-term pregnant at the time.
“So…how about that walk?”
“Okay. Yeah.” She lets out a soft breath, and some of the tension eases from her shoulders. “A walk in the park sounds nice.”
“Good.” I stand up to get Izzy out of her swing. Her eyes are open now, but she’s mostly just peering at the world. No fussing or cries for help. “Why don’t you get some stuff together that you think we might need for the bambino here, and I’ll occupy her time.”
She nods gratefully. “Sounds like a plan.”
Little does she know, I’m planning a little something else.
When she retreats down the hallway to Izzy’s nursery, I snag my phone out of my pocket and scramble to text the one person I know can help me. I wish I had enough time to do it all myself, but just like I’ve been telling Maria, sometimes you need to outsource.
Me: Hey, I need your help. I need your housekeeper who does the rental properties to add another one to her list. I’ll give you the money, but just get her on the books.
Winnie: Okay, I can do that. Did you just buy another rental place or something?
Me: No, just helping a friend.
Winnie: You have friends?
I very nearly roll my eyes. My sister is the nicest smartass I know.
Me: Very funny.
Winnie: I know, right? I’m hilarious. And I take it this friend is Maria?
Me: That would be correct.
Winnie: She doing okay?
Me: She’s doing as well as a mom with a baby can do.
Winnie: So, she’s trying to survive, then.
Me: Exactly.
Winnie. Send me the address, and I’ll call them. When do you need them to come?
Me: In the next two hours. I’ll leave the door unlocked when we leave.
Winnie: If this weren’t for Maria, I’d definitely bitch at you for the last-minute request. Luckily, the whole fam has FINALLY left my house, and I have some time on my hands.
Me: You say that like you don’t secretly love playing hostess for Winslow get-togethers.
Winnie: I say that like a woman who loves playing hostess but has to clean up after Uncle Brad.
Our uncle has always been a bit of a sloppy dude. I’m certain that’s why Wes never lets him grill alone.
Winnie: Oh, and you can thank me later. Wes has my list of jewelry needs.
I have to mute my guffaw as it rolls up and out of my throat.
Me: Jewelry? You take an awful high hourly rate for this stuff, huh?
Winnie: It’s all supply and demand, dearest brother. You need me, and I need jewelry. It goes hand in hand, really.
I roll my eyes at her again but laugh at the same time.
Me: Send me a link and sizing.
I think on it for half a second and send another quick text.
Me: Lexi’s too.
Winnie: There’s a reason you’re my favorite brother most days.
My smile is still engaged and I’m shaking my head slightly when Maria comes back into the living room with a big diaper bag and a baby carrier, a little bout of curiosity pinching the skin between her eyebrows together. She’s pulled her hair back into a low ponytail and changed into a pair of jeans and a loose-fitting sweater.
“You seem awfully amused.”
Knowing I can tell the truth without spoiling the surprise, I rock my phone back and forth in the air and remark, “My sister.”
Maria plops down onto the couch beside Izzy and me. “How is Winnie doing? I bet she’s busy these days since football season is in full swing.”
