Page 42 of Bargain With the Boss

He whistled and crouched down to pull the cover for the boat out of its compartment. “How did this happen?”

“We met shopping,” Claire said with a huff.

“Of course you did.” He shook his head.

I folded my arms over my chest, self-conscious of how much of me was on display. I could feel the heat radiating off my skin telling me I’d burned as well. My hair was wild from the wind even with the cap. “We only were on a first name basis when today started. I’m not from here anyway.”

“So you don’t know our families are fighting like some old soap opera?”

I couldn’t help the laugh. “No.”

Claire jumped off the boat and before she could help me down, Heath guided me off. Claire came up beside me. “I like her. We’re already best friends.”

Heath tossed one end of the cover to his sister as they efficiently buttoned up the boat. “Forgive my sister, she likes to adopt people at first sight.”

“I do not.”

“Do so.” He tugged her braid. “It’s why so many people love you.” He suddenly put her in a headlock, and she squealed.

“Get off me. You stink.”

He scooped her off her feet and tossed her over his shoulder. “C’mon to our secret garden, Sydney.”

I followed him through the door and my breath caught. It was a massive yard beside the boathouse, but instead of endless grass it was an oasis of stone paths, flowers in a dizzying array, as well as chairs made for sitting and chatting. A well-used grill was smoking.

Heath dropped his sister on one of the loungers. “I was making some dinner. Simone is off today so we’re on our own for food.”

“We ate a ton on the boat, but I won’t say no to one of your cocktails.”

He moved to the cooler and flipped it open then lifted a pitcher. “One of these?”

“Yes!”

He dug out a few Solo cups from a bag. “You in, Syd?”

Since there wasn’t any chance I’d be meeting with Xavier tonight, I shrugged. “Why not?”

“Careful, they’re dangerous.” Claire settled into the corner of the chaise and curled her legs up.

I took my cup and sat in a lounger beside her.

“So, what brings you to the Cove?” Heath took a big gulp from his cup as he manned the grill. The spicy scent of peppers and onions wafted our way when he opened the hood.

“Helping out my brother. He just had his second child.”

He lifted his glass. “Congrats, auntie.”

I smiled behind the rim of my cup. I was used to people talking about Jude and Maddie, but not so much that they were mine too. “Thanks.”

“So, you’re in the enemy camp. Are you going to get excommunicated?”

“Xavier certainly acted like it,” Claire quipped. “He was a real asshole.”

“Your sister flipped him off.” My eyebrows shot up. She wasn’t kidding about the strength of the drink. I should probably back off, but the watermelon sweetness lured me into taking a deeper drink.

Heath snickered. “Did she now?”

“He was being a hotheaded jerk.”Claire rattled the ice cubes in her cup.