Chapter 15 #3
I grab my hair. I’m so done with this day already. “I don’t need you to set me up. I’m perfectly capable of finding my own dates.”
“Really? When is the last time you went on a date?”
I open my mouth, but what can I say? Sneaking Aidyn into my bed at night isn’t a date.
What about the twenty-four kisses we’ve shared?
Were those dates? Not that any of that matters.
I glare at all the curious faces waiting for my response.
Why is everyone so damn nosy? “That’s no one’s business but mine.
” And Aidyn’s. But my secret boyfriend’s head is down. And Jane is grinning.
“What can it hurt, Garrett?” Zye asks. “I know you dated in New York—I mean, I assume—but you haven’t gone out with anyone since you’ve been here.” At my glare, he winces. Traitor. “Sorry. But you don’t want to end up like Christy—”
“What the fuck?” Aidyn gives him a dirty look. “Leave me out of this.”
That’s impossible to do.
“I don’t want to date anyone. I’m working on building a business—”
“That’s all you ever do.” Zye gives me a pointed look. This is one reason I don’t do family events. I don’t need everyone in my business.
Miles tries to pull him onto the couch next to him, but Zye pulls away. Stubborn little shit. “Life isn’t just about work. Trust me, I know.”
“This isn’t about work. I’m not interested in dating.” But this answer won’t satisfy Zye, so I give him the reason before he can ask. “I’m in love with someone.”
The shocked gasps are loud, but I swear I can hear Aidyn’s inaudible groan over all of them. The only one unfazed is Lanie. She’s on her phone. Probably texting her boyfriend.
“Who is it?” Zye asks in a soft voice, like we’re sharing secrets. Not happening.
Miles takes his hand. “Babe, if he wanted us to know, he’d have already told us.”
I point to Miles, my face on fire. So much for never blushing. How did I get into this mess? The doorbell ringing thankfully interrupts us. Until I open the door to a breathtakingly beautiful man.”
“Hi.” He smiles. And his attractiveness ratchets up several notches. “I’m Vivian. Your mom invited me. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course. Come in.” I don’t agree with my mother on most things, but I have to give her credit. This man with his pouty lips and delicate features is very, very pretty.
I lead him into the living room, and everyone jumps up. All the staring and the jaws hanging open are rude. “Everyone, this is Vivian.”
Vivian smiles and shakes hands. When he gets to Adrian, he stops, his brows furrowed. “You look very familiar.”
Adrian nods. “I actually get that a lot.”
Isaac tries to hide a laugh.
“Hi, I’m Zye.” He trips over his own feet getting to him, and I don’t miss the frown on Miles’s face.
Or the scowl from Aidyn. “Let’s get this dinner going. Garrett, can you help me please?”
I follow him into the kitchen. He folds his arms. “What the hell?”
“I didn’t invite him.”
“Maybe not, but I noticed you drooling over him.”
“Not true. But, I mean, you’ve got to admit, Aidyn…” My voice trails off at his raised eyebrows.
“What do I have to admit?”
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. How can I help?”
“By getting your damned foot out of your mouth and your head out of your arse,” he grumbles as he grabs plates for the table.
I’m not sure why he’s jealous when I had nothing to do with it, but if I’m being honest, jealous Aidyn is kind of cute.
As I’m helping set the food out, my phone pings with a text.
Jonah
Hey, boss. Can I call you?
Fuck. I don’t need more drama today.
How did you get my number?
You gave it to all the employees.
Right. But Nat’s the only one who ever uses it.
What do you need?
Can I call you?
“I thought you were here to help,” Aidyn says as he walks by and grabs the green bean casserole from the counter.
“I am. Just a sec.” I smile, and he shakes his head on his way out the door.
Jonah: Never mind.
Shit. I hit the call button and move out of the main path. Before I can say anything, Jonah is already speaking. “Everything’s good, Mr. Bishop. Sorry to bother you.”
“Wait, Jonah.” A scoff from the door of the kitchen tells me Aidyn’s back, and he heard me.
“What’s going on?” I glance up. Aidyn is grabbing the bowl of mashed potatoes.
Why isn’t anyone else helping him? He probably didn’t ask because he thinks I should be doing that.
And I should, but the sadness in Jonah’s voice keeps me from brushing the kid off.
“Nothing, Mr. Bishop—”
“Please call me Garrett.” I don’t look at Aidyn for his reaction. Not everyone wants to be called by their last name.
A cat screeches in the background. Does Jonah have cats? “Trouble with your roommates?”
“Nah. I’m over at Nat’s.” The screech comes again, but louder, and I realize it’s not a cat. It’s a baby or a toddler. That’s just a guess, but I think I understand his problem.”
“There are kids everywhere,” he says in a panicked whisper. “It was nice of Nat to offer, but I can’t— It’s fine. I’ll find someplace to go.”
Fuck. “You’re welcome to join us if you want.”
“Really?” And he sounds so hopeful that it offsets the slamming of the cabinet door.
When I glance up, Aidyn is glaring at me. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” I say, addressing them both. “We’d be happy to have you.”
“Can I bring anything?”
“Do you have anything to bring?”
“A six-pack of Mountain Dew.”
I laugh, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Aidyn leaning against the counter with his arms crossed, waiting for me to finish.
“See you soon.”
“Thank you again.”
“You’re more than welcome.”
As I hang up, I prepare myself. Aidyn’s staring at me. “Go ahead.”
“More than welcome. Ha.”
“The kid doesn’t have anywhere to go, Aidyn.”
“You’re his boss.”
All my frustration over this and the forced jolliness boils over. “Are you saying if Ramon needed someplace to be for Christmas, you’d turn him away?”
“That’s different.”
I scoff. “How? How is that different?”
He pushes away from the counter. “Ramon has been with me for the last eleven years. Jonah has worked for you for what? A little over a year?” His eyes flash, sending mixed signals to my dick. Is this where he throws me against the fridge and claims me?
I shake it off. “That kid—”
“He’s not a kid!”
Glancing at the door, I motion for him to keep it down. The last thing we need is an audience.
“He’s a man, Garrett. With a lot of muscles. And he likes you.”
“Now you’re grasping.” I cup his jaw, which is still tense, but he leans into my hand. “I don’t want anyone but you, sweetheart. And bonus? As the only two available men here, maybe Vivian and Jonah will keep each other entertained.”
His face softens. “Here’s hoping. Let’s get this dramafest over with.”