Page 26

Whatever.
I told her I could be convinced, but she’s going to have to sell it—and hard. Make me believe I’m not fucking up royally by letting an unstable, heartbroken stranger crash in our star property.
My brothers can confirm I’m not the softhearted one.
I don’t hand out favors left and right.
If you want a softie, try Patton.
Or even Dexter now that he’s married. Juniper turned him into one more of those marshmallows she puts in her Rocky Road cupcakes.
Me, I’ve never had much reason to let emotions threaten my business.
Even if seeing her cry like this with all her unfiltered hurt gives me the weirdest ache in my chest, along with this annoying urge to help her feel better.
But I already opened my mouth.
I told her we might work something out, and I meant it.
“Convince me,” I say point-blank. “Why should I let you stay?”
“Because I’d pay you?” She raises her brows.
“A reason that makes it worth the potential shit your father will fling my way when I’m covering for you, I mean.”
“You’re worried about that?” She waves a dismissive hand. “All you have to do is usethatvoice. You know, the dad voice you’ve used before. Just tell him you can’t give away client details, and voilà, case closed. He’s a legal wonk, he’ll totally understand.”
Like hell.
In my experience, people as persistent as her old man rarely fuck off just because you tell them to.
There’s something about the way she props her chin up on her hands as she looks at me, waiting for me to agree. It makes me curious what she’ll say next.
“Okay, let’s table that for now,” I say carefully. “Tell me, why do you want to stay here?”
Her lips curl into a smile that dimples one cheek, an uneven look matching the chaotic hair and teasing light in her eyes. “Do you always play grand inquisitor with all your guests?”
“Only the ones who spell trouble.”
“You’re afraid of me? Seriously?” She huffs loudly. “What? Are you afraid I might cry you to death?” Her expression tightens a fraction and she adds, “I really am sorry about that, by the way.”
“Don’t apologize. There’s no need.”
“That’s up for debate, but fine. The fact is, I can definitely afford to go somewhere else if I wanted, but… I don’t. It’s comfy here. It’s away from the city, it’s pretty, and did I mention the bees?”
God help me, I almost smile.
Almost.
“Another two weeks here and I’ll have my life figured out,” she finishes. “I just need time. I swear, I won’t break anything.”
I can’t fucking help it, I raise an eyebrow.
She takes her lip and bites down, hard enough to turn the skin white.
“Fine,” she says. “I might not have everything figured out, but it’ll be a start. We can work from there.”
We?She says it so confidently, like in two weeks we’ll be best friends, hashing out how she’ll reclaim her life or some such shit.