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I laughed before I said, “I was all dressed up to go to a dance one night, but I needed something . . . I can’t even remember what it was now.

Anyway, I stopped in at the store and the place was packed, there was only one girl working the front, and your dad was busy dealing with a busted pipe in the stock room.

I ended up missing the dance and working the register in my dress and heels. ”

“Exactly.”

“I guess that’s how things go with a family business, isn’t it?” Nathan nodded, and I said, “Those businesses kept me fed and clothed while affording me so many more opportunities than our parents ever dreamed of when they were children.”

“Aunt Ligaya’s sons are all doctors, but they still understand how important the stores are to our family. Everything is solvent right now and operating in the black, but they’ve offered to pay for whatever computer systems we need to get.”

“That’s so generous.”

“They feel the same way you do about how the businesses shaped your childhood, but their benefits went well beyond clothes and food - they also paid for their education.”

“I guess it is fitting that they’re willing to take on a few expenses here and there, isn’t it?” I asked with a laugh.

“I’d really like for you to consider this opportunity, Dalisay. You know how important family is to us, and you’re someone we know that we can trust.”

“Why didn’t you have your sister ask me? I know you’re not doing this without her input.”

“If I’d left it up to Jodie, she would have said something like, ‘Show up for work on Monday, bitch, and don’t even try to argue about it!’”

Nathan and I both laughed because he was right. Jodie was not someone you sent in to take care of delicate matters.

“I’ll do it, and I’ll work very hard to make sure I do things right. Don’t let me slip up just because I’m family, Nathan.” I scoffed before I said, “Actually, if I start slipping and not holding my weight, that’s when you send Jodie in for a talk.”

“Exactly!”

◆◆◆

“Honey, I’m home!” I called out as I walked through the door, being careful not to trip over Boogie who had eagerly greeted me at the bottom of the stairs.

I stopped when I realized that it wasn’t Navy sitting at the bar, but his friend, Lurk.

“Dinner’s in the oven,” Lurk said from his seat where he was working on a crossword. “Sully is picking up desert on his way over.”

“Where are Navy and the rest of the guys?”

“They went for a ride to clear their heads and have some time together before we part ways.”

“Why didn’t you go with them?”

He turned to look at me, and his expression was so . . . blank that it almost took my breath away.

“I don’t have anything bothering me that I need to clear out, so I took a nice walk on the beach and then came back here for some peace and quiet.”

“In that case, I won’t bother you.”

“Well, this is your home, so I’m really the one bothering you.”

“I don’t mind having you guys around. I think it’s kind of fun.”

“For now, maybe, but I’d imagine it would get tiresome after a bit.”

I had to admit he was right, so I shrugged before I said, “After a while, it could get old having so many big personalities in one place.”

“Lucky for you, it won't happen often. We usually only congregate in large groups when there’s something big going on that we need to take care of.”

“And now that it’s all been taken care of, you’re going home?”

Lurk’s smile didn’t reach his eyes when he said, “Almost everything is taken care of. I’m sure everyone will leave tomorrow or the next day.”

There was something about this man that kept me on edge. I didn’t feel like I was in danger; it was more that I felt as if I was feet away from a predator who could snap at any moment.

Lurk went back to his crossword, so I set my purse on the table beside the door before I kicked off my sandals. I walked over to the sink and washed my hands, something my mom had drilled into me and my brothers from birth - always wash the outside from your hands when you come inside.

“What’s for dinner?”

“Taco casserole. I made plenty because I know how much these guys can pack away. There’s also salad fixings in the refrigerator along with fresh pico and guacamole.”

“That sounds wonderful!” I wasn’t sure what to do with myself since Lurk had already completed the tasks I had set out to do for this evening, so I asked, “Would you like to go up to the roof with me for a while? There may be some fresh peppers ready to harvest that I can roast to go with dinner.”

“I'd love to spend time with Navy’s girl.”

“Why do you say it like that?” I asked.

“Because that’s what you are.” Lurk looked confused for a second before he asked, “Aren’t you?”

“Well, yes. He said he plans to never let me go, so I assume he means forever.”

“Navy is not a man who would say something like that unless there was meaning and heart behind it, so I’d assume forever might be almost long enough.”

“Lurk, are you a romantic?”

He frowned before he said, “I’m not sure what it is about the women in your family, but I don’t understand any of you.”

“What is there to misunderstand?”

“Your aunts did everything but roll out the red carpet for a group of crazy bikers and then they made so much food that I don’t know how any of us still fit in our clothes, your cousin giggles and talks about fetishes three minutes after a man tried to kidnap her, and then you sit here and spout heinous accusations about me to my face.

Do none of you have a single ounce of self-preservation? ”

“Oh my heavens! Big scary biker man made dinner and is going to check the garden with me. Whatever will I do?” I said breathily in a horrible Southern accent.

“What is wrong with you people?”

“I’m not sure if I should be offended or impressed by that question.”

“Either.Neither.What?”

I pointed at Lurk before I said, “You are not nearly as scary as you’d like to think, although I did wonder about you when we first met.”

“That’s probably the smartest thing you’ve done this week.”

I burst out laughing and said, “You reminded me of a predator pacing behind the bars of his cage, but now I think you might be a lion with a thorn in his paw that just needs some understanding.”

“What sort of alternate universe did I just walk into?” Chewie asked as he sauntered into the kitchen.

“Where did you come from?” I asked.

“I was using Navy’s computer until I felt a disturbance in the force and realized someone was using a sharp stick to poke the rabid animal in the kitchen, so I felt the urge to rush in here and save you.”

“Lurk’s not rabid, he’s just misunderstood. Aren’t you, honey?” I asked as I put my hand in the crook of his arm. “You can tell me all about it while we check the garden.”

“Is this what it feels like to be kidnapped by a crazy person?” Lurk whispered frantically as he stared at Chewie in shock. “I’m not sure what to do.”

“Don’t make any sudden moves and just roll with it until backup arrives,” Chewie whispered back. In a normal tone, he said, “The guys should be back any minute now.”

“Let them know we’re on the roof!”