Chapter 7
Claire
“I’m sorry, what? I was under the impression I would stay next door.” Out of habit, I collect my hair into a topknot. When I find my wrist void of an elastic, I let the strands fall back onto my shoulders.
Asher’s daughter left with her grandparents, but not before she insisted on an adorable mini fashion show of tutus. Now I’m propped on a stool at the kitchen island while her father’s fancy espresso machine whirs to life.
If Jack and Natalie, whom I briefly met moments ago, are staying in their home for the summer, that leaves me homeless.
Okay. That’s dramatic. I wouldn’t be homeless since he’s proposed that I live with him and his daughter.
“Listen,” he begins. “I realize this is a little unconventional, and quite possibly not all that professional, but we’re practically family, right?
My sister is dating your brother’s best friend, and my cousin is engaged to your brother.
That makes us…” He runs his fingers through his messy hair, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
“Well, it actually doesn’t make us related at all, but it does make us…
friends?” He says friends like he’s unsure.
“Can’t I stay in one of the other residences?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “We’re completely booked out.”
Unease curls through me. “And you’re sure the roof won’t be fixed anytime soon?”
He shakes his head. “I really am sorry it’s such a mess.” With a glance over his shoulder, he checks on the espresso machine. “Do you want cream or sugar?”
“Neither, thank you,” I tell him as I brainstorm solutions. “Okay… how about out in town?”
He sets down our coffees and slides onto a seat across from me at the kitchen table.
“Your only option there, really, is a tent at a campground. The closest motel or rental property is over thirty minutes away. And we require the camp doc to stay on the premises during the summer, anyway, should there be an emergency in the middle of the night.”
I take a sip, mulling over his words. “I’m not so sure this is a good idea.”
“Whatever you do, please don’t quit,” he pleads, desperation in his voice. “The third bedroom is already set up for guests, so you’ll have your privacy.”
A slow breath escapes me. “I’m not going to quit. Can I just—Can I have a minute to think?”
“Of course,” he replies.
Abandoning my hot beverage, I excuse myself and step out onto his back porch. Then I hoof it down the steps. Once I’ve set foot on the shore, I pull my phone from my pocket and call Millie.
“Hey, boo.” She answers on the first ring. “Did you make it to the camp all right? Are you settled?”
“About that…”
I unload the entire story, explaining how Jack and Natalie canceled their trip and revealing that my only option is to stay with Asher.
She hums. “I don’t see what the big deal is. My brother’s great. And so is my niece. You’ll have your own room.”
“Yeah, but Asher is my boss. I shouldn’t be living with my boss,” I whisper-yell, despite being yards away from his cabin.
“But this is different.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. He’s my brother. And the nicest guy I know. He has good hygiene and I promise he’s not weird.” She laughs. “This camp is important to him, Claire. Plus, you’ve always wanted a roommate.”
She’s got me there, though I didn’t imagine bunking with a single dad and his daughter.
“This will be really good for you. And my brother,” she adds. “Honestly, he’s lonely. Who knows, maybe you two will fall in love and you’ll be my sister-in-law. How cool would that be?”
“Millie,” I gasp, my heart lurching. “I’m not going to fall in love with your brother.”
She exhales a small defensive squeak. “Why not?”
“Because. He’s my boss.”
“So?” Her tone is wicked when she says, “A workplace romance is hot.”
“Oh my god.” I huff and tip my face toward the sky. “You’ve been working for that audio app for too long. It’s turned you into a hopeless romantic.” In addition to performing musical theater, Millie is a voice actor for LULU, an erotic stories audio app. A damn good one too.
“Does your brother know about that?” I ask out of morbid curiosity.
“He does.” She giggles. “But I’ve banned him from downloading the app.”
“That’s fair.” I sigh into the phone. We’re getting off track. “Fine. I guess it’s not so bad. It’s just for the summer anyway, right?”
“Right.”
“Thanks for talking me through it,” I tell her.
“Absolutely,” she chirps. “What are future sisters for?”
I groan. “Oh my—Amelia! I am not marrying your brother.”
“We’ll see,” she sings. With that, she disconnects the call.
When I return to the kitchen, Asher offers me a fresh mug. “It got cold.”
“Thank you.” I bring it to my lips and savor the brew, the temperature perfect.
He watches me, his brow slightly furrowed, nervous anticipation written all over his pretty face.
“I’ll move in,” I say. “I mean, for the summer.”
With a sharp exhale, he stands taller. “Oh, that’s great news. Thank you.” A smile spreads across his face, showing off those damn dimples.
Out front, Bea is zooming around in one of those kid-size motorized jeeps, her grandparents supervising from their porch. They’re close enough to keep a watchful eye, but far enough that they’d have to shout to be heard.
She guides the little car in our direction at full speed, and Asher has to kick a foot out to stop her from bumping into my adult-size tire.
“Is this one of your birthday presents?” I ask.
“Yup.” She hops out, her braids bouncing.
“And who’s your friend?”
She yanks a beige stuffed rabbit from the passenger seat and holds out its arm. “This is Bunny.”
Assuming she wants me to shake her stuffie’s paw, I bend at the waist and do just that. “Nice to meet you, Bunny. I’m Claire.”
“Dr. Connelly,” Asher corrects.
I straighten, but before I can tell him that I don’t mind if his daughter calls me by my first name, Jack and Natalie appear.
“Dr. Connelly,” the man says. “We’re really sorry about the change of plans. I hope it isn’t too much of an inconvenience.”
“It’s no problem.” I slap on a smile, doing my best to convince myself too. Living with Asher doesn’t sound that bad. He comes with glowing reviews from Millie. Plus, Bea is adorable and I love kids.
“Great.” His wife claps. “We’ll let you get unpacked and settled, but we would love to have you over for dinner later.”
“Can I come too?” Bea chirps.
Her grandmother holds out a hand. “Of course. C’mon, Dolly. Let’s go feed the ducks.”
Jack waves goodbye and follows them.
As I turn around, Asher pops open my trunk and begins retrieving my luggage.
“Are you working today?” I ask.
“I’m always working.” He politely laughs. “Though I’ve gotten better about delegating.”
Between the two of us, we get all of my belongings into the house in one trip. Back inside, I wait for Asher’s direction at the mouth of the hallway, which is located off the kitchen and living room.
“Bea’s room is the last one on the left.
Oh, but you’ve already seen it,” he corrects himself with a shake of his head.
“Mine is across from hers.” He opens the door just before his room.
“And this is where you’ll be staying. The bathroom is across the hall.
Sorry it’s not in the bedroom. Feel free to make it your own.
Bea uses my tub, so she shouldn’t be in your way. ”
“Sounds good.” I smile as I shuffle into the bedroom. The floors are hardwood, like the main living space, but there’s a shag rug in various shades of blue beneath a queen-size bed. The quilt over top of the mattress is white, and the walls are painted a powder blue, providing a tranquil vibe.
A sense of comfort rolls through me as I spin in a slow circle. I think I’m going to like it here.
Asher opens the closet and pushes several jackets to the back. “If you need more room, I can move these into the hall closet.”
“This will be fine,” I assure him. I only brought what I would need for the summer.
“Oh, I haven’t shown you the best part.” He strides across the room and opens the thick, white curtains, revealing a sliding glass door to the porch.
Outside, I’m met with the most idyllic landscape. The cabin is raised so the view is much more expansive than if it were on ground level. The porch runs the entire length of the house. To my right is an outdoor sectional, and to my left is…
“A hot tub?”
“Ah, yes.” He taps the cover, safely secured with a lock.
“I like to come out here to relax after Bea’s in bed.
The key is hidden here.” He motions behind a sconce.
“Feel free to use it any time. Just make sure to lock it when you’re done so Bea doesn’t get in.
I doubt she could lift the cover, but I’d rather play it safe. ”
“Of course. You can never be too careful.”
Back inside, he lingers in the doorframe while I unzip my suitcase. Feeling his attention on me, I peer up, catching him checking me out in the mirror. With butterflies taking flight in my lower belly, I spin around.
He immediately looks away, clearing his throat.
“I’ll leave you to it then. Maybe later you can give me a list of foods and drinks you’d like to have on hand.
The cafeteria is always available to you free of charge, and Bea and I eat there a lot, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from all the noise. ”
“I get that.” I grin, hands clasped in front of me. When he makes no move to leave, I say, “Thanks. I’ll unpack and get on that list.”
“Right.” He rubs at his mustache then shoots a finger gun at me.
I giggle at the dorky move, and with a grimace, he pivots on his heel and walks away. And now I’m the one staring. He may be a dork, but he’s a dork with one hell of an ass.