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All because he wanted me to be his wingman. That truly was what all this was about. He didn’t care whether I found a woman or not. He needed me to be by his side while he scoped for his next girlfriend.
“I don’t think that’s entirely true. I just think sometimes, he’s a convenient excuse to stay in.”
I laughed. “Which I’ll happily do until he’s tired of me.”
“You’re almost thirty-eight. Before you know it, you’re going to throw your back out putting on a sock, and the rest will be downhill from there.” Lucas grinned salaciously, but I had to love him. He was the only male cousin I had, and he also happened to be my best friend. “When was the last time you’ve even been to our grandparents’ house on Marigold Island?”
I let out a deep sigh and closed my laptop, deciding to answer one question so I could dodge the other. “Fine. We’ll go with you tonight, but you have to promise to leave me alone the rest of the week.”
Lucas’ expression fell. “I can’t promise that after all.”
My office phone rang, and I absentmindedly picked it up on speakerphone.
“James speaking.”
A woman sucked in a deep breath, and I glanced at Lucas, who eyed me.
“Is…is this Mr. James Edwards?”
Crap. My assistant already went home, and security at the front desk probably just patched this person through, thinking it would go to voicemail.
“Speaking.”
My cousin flinched from the gruffness in my voice, and I smiled.
“Hi. I’m from Baubles and Curiosities over on…”
Uneasiness lurked as I drew a breath. The number of times my family had been taken advantage of outmoded anything this woman had to say. It was just history repeating itself—another day, another time.
“We’ve already taken care of everything,” I told the woman briskly.
“But I’m certain—”
“What we didn’t sell, I donated. Have a nice evening.” I hung up the phone and rolled my eyes as Lucas stared at me.
“She sounded hot.”
I scowled at my cousin. “Are you serious?”
“Deadly. I mean, this girl sounded like exotic supermodel hot.”
I scratched the scruff on my chin and chuckled. “What planet did you come from, and can we send you back?”
Lucas stood. “Come on. You can’t tell me she didn’t sound insanely gorgeous to you?”
“You mean with the three words she spoke trying to buy low from our family and sell high?”
Lucas laughed and raised his shoulders slightly. “Everyone’s gotta make a living.”
“Would you like me to track her down on Caller ID and get her number for you?” I joked. “Or I could tape the Post-It notes back together from the trash for you.”
“I wouldn’t turn it down.” He walked behind my desk, kicked my chair around to face the window, and shook me from behind. “I have a confession.”
“What’s that?” I stood, knowing the sooner I went out with Lucas, the sooner I could get home.
“I’ve been in a drought.”
“A drought?”
