Drive Me Wild (Bellamy Creek #1)(28)

“No, go ahead. I’ll wait outside.” As I left the room, I glanced at the ball gown hanging on the back of my closet door.

“Want me to put my wedding dress back on?” she teased. “Seems like it was a big hit around here.”

I looked back at her menacingly. “Don’t you dare.”

“I love it when you go all mean boss on me.” Her grin was full of mischief, daring me to come at her and throw her down on that bed like I wanted to.

I left the room before I said—or did—something I’d regret.





Outside, I called my mother.

“Hello?”

“It’s me. Did you think of anyone who might have a spare room to rent?”

“Not yet. But I’m thinking very hard. In the meantime, though, I think she should probably just stay with you a little longer.”

“Stop trying to play matchmaker, Mom. It never works.”

“Because you’re so stubborn,” she chided. “You don’t even try with the women I introduce you to, and I’ve set you up with some perfectly lovely girls!”

“Name one.”

“What about that nurse from Urgent Care? She was darling.”

“She spent the entire dinner crying over her ex-husband. No, thanks.”

“What about the new bank teller at the credit union? She was definitely single.”

“She didn’t like baseball. That was DOA.”

“Well, how about the lawyer I met at the gardening center? She seemed outdoorsy.”

“She likes women, Mom. Which she said she told you right away when you mentioned setting her up with your son.”

“Well, sometimes people are just confused, or in denial.”

“In this case, that person is definitely you.”

“Don’t change the subject! We were talking about Blair. If you’d just try to get to know her, I think you two could be good for each other.”

“I am getting to know her. Because I hired her. I don’t generally invite my employees to live with me.”

“Well, this isn’t a general kind of situation, is it? This is special.” She sighed dramatically. “But if she doesn’t feel welcome at your place, I suppose she can stay here in your old room.”

I cringed at the thought of my mother filling Blair’s head with nonsense about me, but figured it might be best for the time being. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ll bring her over after dinner.”

“Oh, not tonight,” she said. “That room is full of junk. I need at least a day or so to clean it out. You can be a gentleman for one more night, can’t you?”

“Stop playing games, Mom.” I didn’t trust myself to be a gentleman for one more night. One more hour was going to be hard enough.

“Griffin Dempsey, you heard what I said. Now mind your manners around that young lady, and at least try to be charming. You might not think her showing up here was a sign, but I do! And if you’re not careful, someone else is going to come along and sweep her off her feet—someone like Enzo Moretti! Now there’s a gentleman!”

I was so annoyed and hungry, I lost it. “Oh yeah? Well, Moretti was just telling us last night about a threesome he had recently. Is that the kind of gentleman you think I should be?”

My mother was silent for a moment, and I squeezed my eyes shut, picturing her having a heart attack. And then.

“That is exactly what I’m talking about! He charmed two women into being with him. All I’m asking you to do is work on one.” Then she hung up.

I was still standing there staring at my phone when Blair came hurrying outside. “Thanks for waiting,” she said breathlessly. “I’m ready now.” She stopped, noticing my aggravated expression. “What’s wrong?”

“My mother.”

“What about her?”

I shook my head. “You know what? Never mind. Let’s go eat.”

Side by side, we walked a few blocks down to The Bulldog Pub. It was a warm night, and on the breeze I caught the scent of vanilla again.

“So listen,” I said, putting a little more distance between us. “My mom is still going to make some calls in the hunt for a room for rent until Labor Day, but in the meantime, she offered the spare bedroom at her house.”

“She did? Oh my goodness, that’s so sweet of her!”

I frowned. “She can absolutely be sweet when she wants to, but I need to warn you, she has ulterior motives where you’re concerned.”

“Ulterior motives like finding you a wife so she can finally get those grandchildren she wants?”

“Exactly.”

Blair laughed, elbowing me in the ribs. “Don’t worry. I’m not looking for a husband. Establishing my independence and getting a business up and running are my priorities for the near future.”

“I know that, and you know that, but she can be ruthless when she gets an idea in her head.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m just so grateful to have somewhere to stay. And of course, I’ll pay rent. Did she mention how much the room would cost?”

“No, but that’s something you can work out with her. That reminds me—I don’t normally pay my employees cash under the table, but since you’re here such a short time, I’ll do it that way if it works for you.”