Neighbors with Benefits (Anderson Brothers, #2)(27)

“Oh,” Will said. “There is one bit of info Jim found out that you should know: Kawashima’s wife has a thing for dogs. Has half a dozen of them.” He pulled up a photo on his phone and turned it toward Michael. “Here she is.”

Prickles traveled down Michael’s spine as he studied the photo on Will’s screen. An attractive woman in a red dress held a black and white dog that looked similar to Shit Head, only smaller without the silly topknot and bow in its hair.

“The dog is called a Japanese Chin. His wife breeds them. Had one in the Westminster Dog Show two years ago that won Best of Breed and took second place in the Toy Group.”

Michael’s stomach churned. Could the f*cking dog be the issue holding the deal up—the dog that hated him and loved everyone else, including the reticent Mr. Kawashima?

“The dog has to go until after the meeting. I need one of you to take it out of here while Mr. Kawashima and I come to an agreement.”

Will stood and stretched. “Sorry, big brother. I’m off to pick up Claire’s ring.”

“Nuh-uh,” Chance said, shaking his head when Michael gave him direct eye contact. “I have a match at the dojang. Can’t miss it. Sorry. Maybe your house sitter, slash dog sitter, slash live in girlfriend, slash fiancée could do it.”

She was at work. Their agreement only covered the dog at night. “Mildred!” Michael shouted. The woman appeared in his doorway, visibly shaken, making him feel like a dick. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. Can I trouble you to watch the dog for me during tonight’s meeting?”

“I’m terribly sorry, sir. I have my grandson’s fifth birthday party right after work.” She started to shuffle out but stopped. “And something was delivered just now by courier from Mr. Kawashima. I didn’t want to intrude on your meeting with your brothers.”

Michael’s stomach rolled over. What could be so important it had to come by courier before the meeting? He accepted the small, square box from Mildred and resisted the urge to tear into it like a kid ripping open a Christmas present. Instead, he took a deep breath and set it gently on his desk.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” Chance asked.

“Eventually.” Michael sat, forcing himself to suppress his eagerness to discover the box’s contents. He needed to regain his discipline and focus.

Will snatched the package off of his desk and ripped it open. “No control games with this, Mikey. I need to go.” He reached into the gap in the side of the box and pulled out a red rubber ball. It was adorned with the name, Clancy. “Bingo. It’s the dog killing this deal. Well, not the dog, but your obvious dislike of him.”

Michael stood, dread trickling down his spine. The man had sent Shit Head a gift. Not good. “I do not dislike the dog.”

Chance, still seated casually, crossed his legs. “Yes, you do. You don’t even call him by name.”

He was right. He’d never said the dog’s name out loud.

“In fact, I bet you don’t even know his name.”

“I most certainly do.” And it was ridiculous. “His name is Clancy.”

The dog, still seated under Chance’s chair, raised its head and regarded him. He lifted the ball from the box. “Look, Clancy. Mr. Kawashima sent you a gift.” He held it down at ankle level. “Here you go, boy.” He rolled it toward the dog.

As if rejecting it simply because Michael had touched it, the dog eased out from under the chair and strolled past the ball without a glance, and into the bathroom.

“That dog hates me,” Michael mumbled.

“So it seems,” Will said, heading toward the door.

“Look. We all stand to lose if I don’t get this deal. I need your help,” Michael said, in what he knew was a selfish, last-ditch effort to enlist his brothers’ aid.

Will paused and he and Chance exchanged looks before he spoke. “We’ve discussed this before. It’s why I only handle the security part of our business. Neither Chance nor I are as invested in this as you. We have interests outside the walls of this building and will not work until eight every night. You have chosen to make this business the foundation of your life. I haven’t. Claire is my foundation, and I’m going to go ask her to marry me tonight, not babysit a dog. Perhaps you should come up for air yourself sometime, Mikey. Take a look around and see what else is out there other than work.”

Mia’s words rang through his head. “You’re missing things.”

Chance stood and shrugged. “I’ve done my part as company lawyer, and all the paperwork is in order. If you had scheduled the meeting before six, I could’ve been here. Sorry, bro.” He picked up the ball from the floor in front of Michael’s desk and tossed it to him. “Ball’s in your court.” Then he grinned. “Sorry. Couldn’t help the bad joke. Good luck with the meeting.”

Ball in hand, Michael stared at the door long after his brothers closed it. He wondered if they’d always felt that way. Granted, his single-minded pursuit of success precluded a pastime like Chance’s martial arts, or devotion to a monogamous relationship like Will’s with Claire, but he never imagined it to be negative in their eyes. He thought of his father’s advice when he was a teen being groomed to take over the business: “Work hard and play hard, son. No time wasted.”