Penthouse Prince(30)
“We drank with them at the summer bonfires. Like the time a certain person crashed us all into the side of a building.”
He lets out an uneasy chuckle. “Don’t remind me. I was sweating like a pig when I bought that building from Mr. Gibbs, hoping he didn’t recognize me.”
“No sh—stuff? That’s where your bar is?” I laugh. “Okay, now I really do need to fit a visit into my schedule. See if I can find the dent in the wall.”
“Dick. Maybe I should rethink those free rounds.” He takes another drink. “Why’re you talking like it’ll be hard to find the time? Just ask Corrigan over here for a few hours.”
“That’s . . . true.” I can’t get into how complicated things have become, and all the doubts Mom inspired in me, without revealing too many secrets that he might murder me over. “So, she’s mentioned that she’s been nannying Grier?”
“Oh yeah. Corrigan really seems to like her.”
“Grier likes her too. It’s been going really well.”
Except for the last time when I fucked it all up.
Dak smiles, obviously pleased. “Great to hear. I knew she’d be the perfect fit for the job.”
“By the way,” I say, trying to sound as casual as possible, “what’s she been up to since I left? We haven’t gotten much chance to shoot the breeze while she’s busy with Grier.”
He shrugs. “Not much. Working, hanging out with Sarah Jo, helping me out at the bar sometimes. Her job demands a lot of her time, but she loves it.”
“That’s good. She always wanted to teach, and I’m glad it panned out for her. Lots of people, they dream about a job and then it turns out nothing like they expected.” I drink while deciding whether I dare to push further. “Does she . . . have a boyfriend or anything?”
“You’re asking if my sister is single?” Dak shoots me a confused look.
My heart rate picks up. “Just making conversation.”
“Gotcha,” he says slowly, but he still sounds thrown off. “I’m kinda glad. You and Corrigan together is a pretty bizarre mental picture.” He laughs as if the idea is totally ridiculous.
I can’t help being offended. “Why? What’s so weird about it?”
“Isn’t it obvious? We’re like brothers, dude—that’d make her your sister.” He grins at me. “What’s all this about? Has playing house together made you catch domestic feelings?”
He clearly thinks he’s just messing around.
I take the plunge and, straight-faced, shatter my shield of plausible deniability. “Would that be a problem if I did?”
Dak blinks at me for a second, then chuckles again, but it sounds uneasy this time. “Your sense of humor sucks, man.”
I level my gaze at him, keeping a neutral expression. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I’m not making any jokes.”
Another stare, much longer and more frowning this time. “You’re serious.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” I say testily.
“Why the hell are you asking me about Corrigan?”
“It’s just a question, Dak. We’re all adults here.” I shrug, trying to act casual, but my heart is pounding.
“No offense, Lex, but I’m not sure how much faith to put in that. You don’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to women.”
It’s a low blow. Yes, I spent my twenties fucking around and ended up with a kid I never planned on, but fuck.
“I like to think I’ve done right by Grier.” My voice is low, dangerous, challenging.
“You have. But caring for a two-year-old isn’t the same thing as having a successful relationship. I think you know that and you’re playing dumb on purpose just to—” Dak abruptly gets up and sets his still half-full bottle on the table. “Sorry, I should probably go. My shift starts soon.”
“Thanks for the beer,” I reply flatly.
When he’s gone, I lock the door behind him and pour out his beer into the sink, feeling more agitated than ever.
Well, that little chat didn’t fucking help.
13
* * *
CORRIGAN
At eight a.m. on the dot, my alarm clock blares with its familiar deafening cry. And for the first time in years, I slap my hand onto the snooze.
It’s not like me to be sleeping in, but it’s also not like me to stay up half the night thinking about a guy. But that’s exactly what I did last night. Lexington Dane has been occupying my thoughts almost one hundred percent of the time since the night I turned him down. Also known as the last time I spoke to him.
And the silence between us has had two major effects on me.
The first is that it has me brainstorming an unending list of questions. Is Lex mad at me? Hurt? Am I still Grier’s nanny? Am I ever going to stop obsessively checking my phone, hoping to hear from him?
And as if that wasn’t enough, see exhibit B, the second, more dangerous effect.
You know that old saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder? Well, my heart is growing fond, all right. A little too fond. As in at least one sex dream about him a night fond. And while I know that saying no to a date with him was the responsible thing to do, it seems like my sex drive isn’t feeling particularly responsible lately. Yay for me.