Neighbors with Benefits (Anderson Brothers, #2)(9)

The edges of Chance’s mouth curled, threatening to break into a smile.

“If you laugh, I’m going to kick your ass.”

This time, Chance did smile. “I’d like to see you try.”

“So would I.” Will, Michael’s middle brother, who ran security for Anderson Enterprises, entered the office wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt. He shook Chance’s hand and dropped into the chair next to him. “What’s up?”

“Big brother blew an interview,” Chance supplied.

His back still to his brothers, Michael balled and unballed his fists. “It wasn’t an interview, and I didn’t blow it.”

Will grinned. “Whoa. Mighty Mikey f*cked something up?”

“I did not f*ck it up.”

“It’s about time!” Will high-fived Chance.

Stay calm. Keep control. Michael turned to face his laughing brothers. “The dog f*cked it up.”

Will’s eyebrows shot up. “What dog?”

“The one whose turds he’s been carrying around in his pocket as a souvenir all morning.” Chance snickered and Michael fought the urge to charge him.

God, what was wrong with him? He never lost his cool like this. It had to be because he’d just potentially blown a deal. He took a deep breath. This could be fixed. He just needed to do his research and be prepared before his next meeting with Mr. Kawashima. Shaking up his routine was one thing, but being unprepared was another.

“Where’s the dog now?” Will asked. “Man, I love dogs.”

“I don’t,” Michael grumbled.

Will’s demeanor changed entirely. “What do you love?” When he didn’t answer, his brother pushed harder. “I mean, really. What makes you happy, outside these walls? You never seem happy. In all the time I’ve known you growing up, and now, you seem satisfied and driven, but never really happy.”

Which was why he’d agreed to Dr. Whittelsey’s absurd dog therapy, but he had no desire to discuss that with his brothers. Deflect it with a question. “What makes you happy, Will?”

There wasn’t even a slight hesitation. “Claire.”

Will had fallen head over heels for a temp employee, and though Michael was happy for his brother, he knew good and well that a woman wasn’t the answer to his own joy. Deals like the one with Mr. Kawashima and the success of his businesses, especially Anderson Auctions, had been his source of happiness. He had no room in his life for anything other than work. No pets and certainly no long-term relationship with a woman—he knew from watching his dad that running this business and successfully maintaining a monogamous relationship was impossible. Regular one or two time dates had always worked just fine…well, until recently. The last few weeks, the house sitter from hell had driven off his company.

“I just need some sleep,” he said, straightening a pen on his desk so that it sat parallel to the blotter. “My new neighbor is a nightmare and blasts music at night.” Usually when he had a date over. In fact, always when he had a date over. His mind ran though his encounter with Mia and he hardened at the thought of her sliding down his body when he rescued her from the hostile desk chair.

“Maybe you need a woman,” Will suggested.

“He has plenty of women,” Chance said. “Don’t you read the papers? He’s a regular revolving door.”

“Fuck you,” Michael grumbled.

“Me, too?” Chance grinned and Michael’s anger dissipated. He loved his brothers’ senses of humor. He was just really rattled by not landing the Kawashima deal.

“I’m glad you and Claire hit it off, Will, but for me, a woman isn’t the answer. Believe me. There are only three kinds of women in my life: Type A: Those who want me for my money. Type B: Those who want me for sex. Type C: Those who want nothing to do with me at all.”

“There are a lot of type C’s,” Chance said.

Michael couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, there are. Smart ones avoid me.” Which had never really bothered him until last night. The woman next door had made it very clear that she wanted nothing to do with him once she discovered his identity. Usually, he would have rejoiced at this rejection—she wasn’t his type at all—but for some reason it stung. And he’d been rude, which was way out of character. The leash remark was inexcusable. His stomach churned just thinking about it.

“So, where’s the dog at the center of Michael’s deal downfall?” Will asked.

That question made Michael’s stomach churn worse.

“Mr. Anderson,” Mildred’s voice chimed through the speaker on his desk. “Your dog got into the lunchroom and ate almost an entire pan of lasagna. You might want to get him out of here in case he gets sick.”

At that moment, Michael was pretty sure he was the one who would be sick. Dr. Whittelsey could not return fast enough. There was no way he could do this for three weeks.

…

“Hand me that yeller yarn ball,” Gladys bellowed from right next to Mia, nearly causing her to drop her paintbrush. She’d been working with the Queen B’s all morning. The name of the group was self-assigned years ago by the three founding members, Blanche, Betty, and Bernice. When they needed a fourth for card games, they decided to allow a new member, Gladys, who was never shy to point out her middle name began with a “B.”