Page 47 of From the Start

“Kai Raider,” Harper grumbles and I startle. Where did she come from? “You were supposed to go to the store to pick up baby formula and I find you in a bar two hours later?”

I shrug. “The store was out.”

“And you thought the proper solution was to hit up a bar?”

“It’s not my fault you can’t produce enough milk for our six babies.”

“Six babies?” The woman who was hitting on me rears back in disgust.

“I wasn’t counting our toddlers.”

“You can have him.” She whirls around and stomps away.

I grin at Harper. “Thanks, Slugger.”

“Once again, I didn’t slug anyone.”

“But you would have.” I lean over to kiss her cheek. “What are you doing here? Are you here for me to remind you of what a man I am?”

She rolls her eyes. “You don’t need me to remind you.” She motions to the room full of women dressed up as mermaids.

I stand closer to her. “But I’m not interested in any of them.” Her nose wrinkles as she contemplates me. “I’m serious, Harper. You’re the only woman I see.”

“I didn’t come here to discuss this.”

“What did you come here for? Is everything okay? Is your dad all right? Is Carl not working out?” I dig out my phone. “I have the information from the agency I found him at. They have other caretakers available. Not many men, though.”

“Men?”

“I figured—”

“What?” She cups her ear. “I can’t hear you.”

I knock on the bar to get Alaia’s attention. When she glances my way, I mimic unlocking a door. She throws me a set of keys.

I grasp Harper’s hand and lead her across the room to the back, where the office is. Once we’re behind closed doors, I scroll through the contacts on my phone.

“I’ll reach out to the agency. I’m really sorry Carl didn’t work out. He seemed competent when I did the phone interview.”

Harper snatches my phone away before I can dial. “There’s not a problem with Carl.”

“Is it Sloane’s doggy walker? I explained Boozer enjoys humping legs. She can’t claim to be surprised now.”

“There’s not a problem with Sloane’s doggy walker, but Boozer does hump a few too many legs.”

“Are you mad about the payment plan? Rhett agreed it was a good idea.”

She grunts. “This is exactly why I’m here.”

“I promise I didn’t tell Rhett anything about your money problems. He already knew you wanted a payment plan. I would never betray your trust.”

“Can you stop being sweet and allow me to thank you?”

I freeze. “Thank me?”

“I’m not a heathen. I thank people when they help me out.”

I smirk. “Even when you don’t want them to?”