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A huff came from the wet noodle as she slammed her hands on her hips.
“I thought we weren’t allowed to climb on the kitchen counters,” Chris accused.
Was it too much to ask for a few low-key days with his kid? One week. That was all he wanted. He hated the cold and didn’t really want to be up here. But his son wanted a white Christmas, and he would do anything for Chris.
“We’re not.” Declan narrowed his eyes. “Not sure why Goldilocks here was standing on the counter, but—”
“LikeGoldilocks and the Three Bears?” Chris widened his dark brown eyes, flicking his gaze from his dad to the woman. “Is that why she’s here? To eat all our food and sleep in our beds?”
“No!” Please don’t let Chris say that to his mother. “She’s not doing that. Now, look, lady. Why don’t you tell me how you broke in and why you’re climbing on my kitchen counters?”
“Broke in? Are you kidding me?” She crossed her arms under her breasts, giving him a glimpse of cleavage as the robe shifted open at the top.
“I promise you; I amnot. I don’t joke around. I’m not even normally nice.” Declan struggled to keep his focus centered on her face—nowhere lower—because apparently this woman could turn him on. After years with Lauren, it shouldn’t have surprised him that crazy was his type, but he refused to go down that road again. He’d learned the hard way what a headache it would be. A headache he’d lived with for years and wouldn’t shake for a long, long time.
“You gave me the key.” Her eyes narrowed.
“Really, Dad?” Chris asked. Now he had his hands on his hips.
“No.” He spun to his son, shaking his head. “No, I did not give her a key.”
This was all he needed. His son saying, “Hey, Mom. Dad gave a half-naked Goldilocks the keys to his house to surprise him.”Shit.She’d have a field day with that, and he’d get even less time with his son.
“What idiot doesn’t remember when he’s rented his own house out?” Goldilocks huffed and spun away from him.
What was she talking about? He definitely hadn’t rented out his house this week.
“I’m not arguing with you. This is my house, and it was not available this week.”
“Dad, can’t Goldilocks just stay here with us?”
“No!” Declan and the woman said in unison before turning back to glare at each other. Her brown eyes sparked with anger as her lips pulled tight.
“This is ridiculous. I’m leaving. And expect a horrible review on Airbnb,Finn,” she hissed out.
She stomped past him, leaving him standing in the kitchen as what she said hit him.
Finn.
Oh no.
He dialed his brother, but before Finn could say hello, he snapped out, “Why is there a crazy chick in my house?”
“How would I know? Why would you invite a ball bunny on your trip to Florida with Chris?”
“I’m at the cabin in New York.” Declan rubbed a hand across his beard.
“Oh. Well—” Finn chuckled. “Then maybe Icouldanswer that.”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
3
Natalie yankedopen the dresser drawer and grabbed a handful of the clothes she’d unpacked only two hours ago. Seriously, what kind of person doesn’t remember renting out their house? After slamming the clothes into the half-full suitcase, she picked up her phone to double-check the confirmation email.
Yup, there it was: the date, the address, her name, Finn’s name. All the proof she needed. But it didn’t matter because she wasn’t staying. Not with some grump with memory problems.
She’d go back home and grade research papers. Being a high school history teacher meant she spent too much time grading assignments. Every once in a while, she took a break to read for enjoyment. And she’d made a point not to bring work with her on vacation, but at home, she would feel obligated because the kids would be begging for their grades on the first day after break.
