Page 18

Austin pulls out his phone, probably accessing some meticulously crafted schedule. "We'll need you here from seven in the morning until five-thirty in the afternoon, Monday through Friday. Weekends are your own."
I watch Skylar's face as Austin rattles off a list of dietary restrictions, house rules and daily routines. She nods along, her expression neutral, but there's a tightness around her eyes that speaks volumes.
"Should you need to stay later, the kids have a strict bedtime routine," Austin continues. "No sugar after six, and..."
My mind wanders as I study Skylar. There's something about her that doesn't quite fit.
"Is that all clear?" Austin's voice snaps me back to attention.
Skylar nods, her tone clipped. "Crystal. I'll follow your instructions to the letter."
“I don’t see you taking notes, Miss Deveraux. Are you certain—”
"I think I can handle it," she interjects, a hint of challenge in her voice.
I can't help but smirk at the way Skylar pushes back against Austin's need for control. It's refreshing, in a way, but also unsettling. This isn't how things usually go in the Rhodeshousehold and I’m not sure Austin will be able to handle it for long.
Austin's jaw tightens. "I'm sure you can, Ms. Deveraux. I just want to ensure we're all on the same page."
Austin clears his throat, drawing our attention. "Well, there's one more thing to discuss. I understand you'd prefer to stay in the carriage house rather than move in here."
Before Skylar can respond, Theo cuts in, his voice sharp. "Wait, what? Why wouldn't you want to stay in the house?"
I whip my head around, startled by Theo's sudden intensity. His usual laid-back demeanor has vanished, replaced by a tense, almost protective stance. What the hell is the history between these two? And why are they pretending it doesn’t exist?
Skylar's eyes lock with Theo's, and I swear I can see sparks flying between them. Her jaw tightens as she grits out, "It would be inappropriate and...uncomfortable."
The weight of unspoken history hangs heavy in the air. I glance at Austin, seeing my own confusion mirrored in his face.
"I don't see why it would be—" Theo starts, but Skylar cuts him off with a look that could freeze hell itself.
"Drop it, Theo," she hisses, her composure cracking for just a moment.
Austin, ever the peacemaker, waves his hand dismissively. "It's fine, really. But if you change your mind, just let us know. Having you in-house might simplify things, even if it is only temporary."
Skylar nods stiffly, her gaze fixed anywhere but on Theo or me. There's something cold in the way she holds herself now, and I can’t help but notice how she avoids any kind of eye contact with either of us. It’s like she’s already drawing a line between herself and us, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to feel reassured or more on edge because of it.
"Right," Austin continues, his tone forcefully cheerful. "How about a quick tour of the house?"
Skylar looks like she’s going to protest, but the words die on her lips. She stands with a slight rustle of fabric, her movements sharp and clipped as she follows Austin toward the door. I watch them both walk out, the air between us feeling just as heavy now as it did when they first arrived.
Theo and I are left in the silence. I glance at Theo, who’s still staring after Skylar, like he can’t stand the thought of her being out of his sight.
"You okay, man?" I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.
Theo startles, as if pulled from a trance. "Yeah, yeah. I'm good." But his eyes are still fixed on Skylar's retreating form.
I feel an unexpected surge of...something. Jealousy? Possessiveness? What the hell is wrong with me? I've just met this woman, and yet the idea of Theo having some sort of connection with her sets my teeth on edge.
"So, you two know each other?" I press, unable to help myself.
Theo's gaze finally snaps to mine. "We...uh, we ran in the same circles back in the day."
I raise an eyebrow. "Is that it?"
He has the grace to look sheepish. "It's complicated, Cohen."
I trail Austin as he leads Skylar through the house, his usual smooth professionalism faltering. She challenges him at every turn, her sharp wit clearly getting under his skin. And yet, there's something else there too—a spark, an undeniable attraction simmering beneath the surface.