Page 63 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

Did she have a place to go, and her house was too far from it? Why else would she have a big, fat luggage on wheels behind her?

“What are you doing here?” Katie asked, dropping her fork, and Mandy smiled.

“You look like you don’t want me here, Katie.” Mandy replied, taking a seat next to John, who smiled sweetly at her.

“I simply asked a question.”

“Well, you’ll get an answer. I asked sweet John here if I could stay for a few months, and he agreed.”

“A few months?” Sadie asked, also dropping her cutlery.

A few months was simply too much.

“Yeah, maybe six or so.” She replied, and I could see a frown settle over Katie’s face.

“Why do you want to stay here for six months?” She asked, pushing grilled salmon into her mouth.

“That’s between me and John, but I’d like to point out that John’s house has become really fun. I would like to share in the happiness too.” She said, then looked around. “I don’t see Lucas.”

“That’s Alpha Lucas to you.” Katie said immediately.

“Oh come on, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. I’ll ask him myself if he wants to drop formalities. So, where’s he?” She asked, still looking around.

“Why do you want to…” Sadie was asking, but John interrupted.

“He went on a business trip. Would you like to have dinner with us?” He asked, tapping his dish slightly.

“Sure. I’d love that.” She replied, and John signaled for the maids to get dinner for Mandy also.

As Mandy’s dinner arrived, it got even more weird. She began to talk about Lucas, and I hated it. I wasn’t just the only one disliking it. Sadie, and Katie were clearly unhappy about it.

“I would have loved to see his handsome face. I think we’d have some chemistry though.” Mandy rambled on.

“Why? Do you like him? You think you can get a shot with him?” John asked, with a sweet smile.

“If I could get a shot with him, that would be nice. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

“It would be too fun for me to mind.” He replied, swirling water in his glass.

“You’re his nephew. Definitely you know what he likes.” Mandy probed, and John smiled again.

“Get him drunk while wearing office clothes.” He said, and laughed. “And don’t make your intentions known.”

“Wow. So he likes the old-fashioned type.”

“No way. Office clothes are the only clothes that make you look serious, Mandy.” He said, and laughed.

“Really? I look unserious all the time? I bet I’d be able to charm Lucas either way.”

“Can you please stop talking? We’re dining.” Sadie snapped.

“I thought you attacked me a while ago when I said you shouldn’t talk while eating.” John replied, and she rolled her eyes.

“That doesn’t matter. She’s talking too much, and a kid is at the table. What do you expect me to think?” Sadie asked, and John sighed.

“You heard the kid, Mandy.” He replied, and went back to eating his dinner.

The whole thing was uncomfortable for me. I hated the sight of Mandy, who kept throwing glances at me, with smiles that suggested she was mocking me.

After dinner, Sadie asked to meet with me, and I joined her outside in front of the pool.

The breeze ruffled my hair, as I walked to her, and when I got to her, she turned sharply with her hands on her little waist.

“You need to do something. Mandy is all over Lucas. You can’t just sit there, and…”

“Why can’t I just sit there? You’re the one who wants to match make, so if you insist on doing it, then do it yourself, however you please. I never agreed to helping you.” I said, and she scoffed.

“Nice try. Well, I don’t care about that. You have to tell John to kick Mandy out. Tell him you don’t want her.” She said, and it was my turn to scoff.

There was no way in hell I was telling John to do that. No matter what she was going to threaten me with, I wasn’t going to do it.

“I can’t. Begging him would make him think he has the upper hand over me.”

“He does have the upper hand over you.” She pointed out.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter, does it? He doesn’t feel that way. It would be too low of me if I go to him, and tell him to kick Mandy out. Do you think he wouldn’t request something of me if he were to kick her out? John is nothing more than my boss. I have severed all other ties with him.” I said, folding my arms, and making it clear that I wasn’t going to do it.

“You’re right.” She said, turning around slowly, and I could see her brain turning like clockwork in her skull. “He would think he still has you. We don’t want that.”

“We?” I asked, brushing back the hair from my face.

“Yes, we. Mandy is eyeing Lucas, and that is annoying. I have to deal with her.”

“Look at you talking about dealing with someone. If you think Mandy’s the only one eyeing Lucas, then you’re wrong.”

“I’m wrong? She’s not… Wait, Katie likes Lucas? Is that why she was so thorny tonight?” She asked, with wide eyes, and left her mouth open.

“Yes.”

“This is all wrong! Lucas isn’t for Katie.”

“You should stop matchmaking, and do things that normal eight-year-olds do.” I said, and she scoffed.

“Sounds like you’re calling me abnormal. Follow me. Let’s meet that idiot.” She said, walking away, and I hit my forehead with my palm, and bit my lip, wishing I could just drag her hair, and scream at her to stop.

I followed her, as she looked around frantically.

“I saw her around here somewhere.” She said, then suddenly began to run forward.

“Sadie!” I called, but she didn’t listen.

I followed breathlessly, and we came into the garden.

Mandy was laying on a blanket there, with a maid massaging her back, a cocktail, and a bowl of fruits next to her.

“Hey.” Sadie called out, and Mandy groaned.

“What’s with this little kid?” I heard her ask. “You can leave.” She said to the maid, who got up, packed her things, and left. Mandy sat up, and knotted her robe.

“Leave. There’s no room for you here.” Sadie said straightforwardly, and Mandy tucked her legs inward.

“No room?”

“Yes.”

“What if I say something that will give me a room here?” Mandy asked, looking pleased. “I didn’t come here unprepared. I knew what I was signing up for.”

“What do you think you have that would enable you staying here.” Sadie asked defiantly.

“Derella’s gay. Juicy news for the family.” Mandy said, picking up her cocktail, and Sadie froze.

There was no more debating.

Mandy was staying.