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Chloe’s head tilts to the side. “That’s so sweet you’ve kept it.”
“I can’t take all the credit, or much of it, really. My mom somehow made sure it stayed with me. She’s sentimental about the things my brothers and I made growing up.”
“You still could have gotten rid of it.”
I inspect the mug, a wave of nostalgia washing over me. I’ve kept this small token of my brother’s affection to remind myself of what matters. Despite having more money than we could ever spend, my mom kept us grounded, her humble beginnings never far from her mind. She taught us to value the small things, she didn’t spoil us, and made sure my brothers and I always had each other’s backs. I blink and reconnect with Chloe, her soft eyes watching me. She’s only got her father. As much as my brothers and I give each other a hard time, we’d also jump in front of a moving train for each other.
“And miss out on the opportunity to tease Drew with it?” I finally say. “No way. I’m glad this morning brought it to mind. It’s definitely staying out now.”
“Okay, so this morning’s photo op is for Men and Coffee. They’ve got several hundred thousand followers on Insta and they’ve agreed to feature you. I’m not sure we want to use Drew’s mug, though. We want to keep the focus on you. I realize I’ve contradicted myself, but we’ll use his gift in another photo.”
“I’m yours to focus on however you want.”
She grabs a plain white mug then tips the coffee pot, filling the cup halfway. “Let’s get a shot of you sitting at the table with your back to the French door.”
I take a seat while she moves around the room. She places the mug in front of me. She puts the plate of banana muffins beside the mug, thinks better of it, and returns the plate to the counter. She opens the French door, stands back and studies me, closes the French door. “Do you have a newspaper?”
“No,” I say.
Sylvie walks into the room with a laundry basket in her arms. She puts the basket down and then lifts up the potted succulent sitting near the block of knives on the kitchen counter and offers it to Chloe. “Thanks,” Chloe says, stationing the plant on the center of the table. “Great idea.”
Women have an incredible eye for detail. I’ve always been intrigued by their ability for quick analysis. If not for my interior designer, I’d still be decorating this house. If not for Sylvie, I’d walk out the door to a formal event with unsuitable shoes and the wrong tie.
“Anytime,” Sylvie says before resuming her trek to the laundry room.
“She’s nice, too,” Chloe says, standing in front of me and eyeing my hair.
“The nicest.”
“Is it cool if I muss up your hair some more?”
Chloe’s fingers in my hair? Yes, please. I just imagined us naked and her underneath me when it happened. “Have at it.”
Her short nails get to work. My eyes try to close but I will them to stay open. There will be no relaxing or enjoying this.
“Better.” She takes a step back, scoops her phone up off the table. Pharrell’s “Happy” begins to play. “Let’s do this.”
“You always play music when you work?”
“Most of the time, yes. It’s hard not to smile to this song. Now hold the mug in your hand, look at me, and show me those pearly whites.”
I do as I’m told. She takes a couple of pictures. “Now take a sip, eyes on me.” She moves around the table so I track her. I don’t think she realizes she’s dancing to the music, her hips swaying, shoulders bouncing. It’s unconscious, her seamless movements. Her joy. She likes her job. I know the feeling.
Watching her in motion is a total turn-on and I have to send a mental command to my dick to keep still. I’m wearing pajama pants. There’s no hiding my attraction behind the thin cotton. Stiff resistance, man. This morning’s focus is on morning joe, not morning wood.
She stops to scroll through the photos. “I think we’ve got enough here.”
“Great.” I put the mug down, relieved.
“Let’s move to your bedroom next.”
“I’m sorry.What?” I choke out.
“Wholesome Finn is done. Now it’s time for Sexy Finn. I’m not sure which we’ll use, but I’d like to have a choice. Posts with shirtless guys get far more engagement.”
“You want me to take off my shirt?”
“Yep.”
