Four Week Fiance (Four Week Fiance #1)(26)

“You didn’t go to bed early,” I said and rolled my eyes. “You making coffee?”

“Cody put it on. It’ll be ready in a minute,” TJ said, and I saw Cody clenching his fists. What had gone on between them?

“So, what do you want Cody?” I said, walking up to him and glaring. “I thought this was a vacation. I didn’t think I needed to deal with my boss on my vacation.”

“Funny, Mila,” he said, not smiling. “You need to be smarter about how you spend money. I can’t believe you seriously called me and asked me for a raise.”

“I was joking,” I lied.

“No, you weren’t.” He shook his head and sighed. “What’s going on, Mila? Why did you need the money?”

“Do we have to have this conversation in front of TJ?” I said and glared at him. “I like my private business to stay my business.”

“I’m like family, Mila,” TJ said as he walked over with a mug and handed it to me. “Cody can say anything in front of me.”

“Exactly!” Cody said loudly. “Remember you’re like her brother.” He looked over at TJ, who just walked away.

“Well, he’s not my brother and I like my business to stay my business.” I made a face. “And I don’t want to ruin my trip by talking about money.”

“You know the business isn’t doing well, Mila,” Cody said gruffly. “We need to be careful.”

“I didn’t know we were doing badly,” I said and paused. “Are we in trouble, Cody? Like serious trouble?” I looked up at him and frowned. Why was he acting like the world was going to end? My paycheck wasn’t even that high. Certainly not high enough to be causing this much stress.

“We need to be careful.” Cody nodded. “Things aren’t great right now. Dad is trying to figure out the best plan of action.” He sighed.

“But?” I said, my voice timid and slightly scared. Maybe this was more serious than I’d thought.

“But Nonno is challenging him.” Cody looked away from him. “Nonno doesn’t like Dad’s plan.”


“What?” I frowned, not believing what I was hearing. “But Nonno lets Dad run the company. He trusts Dad, doesn’t he?”

“Nonno has other plans now.” Cody sighed. “Look, I can’t say much more. I’ve already said too much. Just make sure you’re careful with your money from here on out. I can’t be giving you advances on anything, okay? If you’re in trouble, let me know.” His eyes peered into mine in concern. “Are you about to get evicted or anything?”

“No.” I shook my head. “Nothing like that.” I thought about all my bills coming up and I felt my stomach dropping. I was worried, but I didn’t want to worry Cody. He already seemed like he had enough on his plate.

“Good.” He leaned over and ruffled my hair. “I’m not that flush right now myself. After buying the house and the Beemer.”

“Yeah, I understand,” I said and bit on my lower lip. I could see TJ staring at me from the corner of the room, and I felt embarrassed. And slightly ashamed. I wondered how he felt knowing that our family business wasn’t doing so well and that we were on the way to the poor house while he was the son of a billionaire. I wondered if it made him feel uncomfortable. Was he going to feel like we were going to ask him for money if things went badly?

“Want any breakfast, Mila?” TJ asked softly and I heard Cody inhaling. What was his problem? I glanced at Cody to see what he was annoyed at now, but I saw his face moving to the kitchen door, his eyes alert and a small smile on his face. I looked towards the door and my stomach sank as I saw that it was Barbie who had caught his attention and not Sally. Barbie sauntered into the kitchen in a white tank top, with no bra and short black gym shorts that were practically just underwear.

“Why, hello.” Cody grinned as he walked towards Barbie. “I’m Cody. Are you Mila’s friend?”

“Mila Kunis is here?” Barbie’s eyes lit up as she gave Cody a demure smile.

“Who?” Cody asked, confused, and I wanted to laugh.

“Mila Kunis,” Barbie said in a Russian accent and I couldn’t stop myself from rolling my eyes.

“Sorry, what?” Cody looked at me. “Did you change your name, Mila?”

“What do you think?” I said and rolled my eyes. “Barbie has a memory problem. Along with other problems.”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow at me and then looked back at Barbie. “What problems? Any way I can help you?” He moved closer to her and I could see his eyes narrowing in on her nipples. Trust me to have a brother who was a pervert.

“I don’t have any problems,” Barbie said.

“Other than being too sexy,” Cody said and she laughed, her face preening up at him. “I have that problem too, so I know.”

“Are you frigging kidding me?” I said loudly and looked over at TJ. “TJ is the one who brought Barbie this weekend. They’re dating.”

“Practically engaged,” Barbie said in a sweet voice and I could see TJ laughing as he stared at me.

“Not even close to engaged,” he said as he walked towards me and then gave Barbie a gaze.