Chapter 1 #2
When Emilia was in college, her parents moved to Europe, so she started joining us. She and Brody share a father. Her mother is their dad’s second wife.
Every time she left to go back to school, it took me days or even weeks to stop thinking about her. I’m pretty sure I was even surly and disgruntled. I’m not sure how no one noticed. Maybe they did, but they had no idea why.
I’m here to do a job, but I’m also going to live here indefinitely. What are Emilia’s plans?
She guides me over to the island and starts more introductions.
The entire time, her small fingers are wrapped around my forearm.
With her other hand, she starts pointing toward people.
“The most important person in this house is Gretchen. She’s the house manager and runs this place like a tight ship.
Anything you need, just ask her. She’ll make it happen. Any foods you want, let her know.”
Gretchen is an older woman. I’m guessing she’s about seventy.
But she’s bustling around this kitchen as though she has more energy than someone half her age.
She smiles warmly at me and holds out a hand.
“Nice to meet you, Haden. Welcome to the Wilde mansion. Like Emilia said, if there’s anything you need, let me know.
Breakfast is kind of loose around here. I make a spread, and everyone comes and goes on their own schedule.
Lunch is similar at about noon. Most everyone comes together in the dining room for dinner, but that’s not mandatory, of course. ”
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll figure things out on my own. You don’t need to worry about me for meals.”
She waves a hand through the air between us. “Nonsense. There’s always food in this kitchen. Whether you decide to stay in the main house or out in that old RV, you come in here for your meals.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” I’m stunned. I didn’t expect to be welcomed into the family, but that’s exactly what’s happening.
“It’s Gretchen.” She chuckles as she turns back toward the sink.
A younger woman in her early twenties is working next to Gretchen. She has her head down, not making eye contact.
Emilia nods in her direction next. “Isabel.”
The woman looks our way. Her face is flushed. “Ma’am.”
Emilia groans. “Stop calling me that. We’re practically the same age.” She glances at me. “This is Haden. He’s here to start the renovations.”
“Nice to meet you, sir.” She gives a little curtsy. It’s cute but totally unnecessary.
I smile at her. “Call me Haden,” I say, following Emilia’s lead.
Damn, this place is odd. The bustle in the room is totally informal, but the mansion itself, and perhaps some of the staff, make me feel like I’ve stepped back in time.
I suspect Old Man Wilde liked his staff to be respectful.
Hopefully that will ease. I’m not the pretentious sort.
If people call me sir, I’ll grow uncomfortable.
Except perhaps Emilia… My cock would get hard if she called me Sir.
And where the fuck did that thought come from?
Emilia turns to face the island next. It’s obvious that the four women sitting on the stools are waiting for introductions.
Emilia lifts her pointer finger again. “That’s Claire.
She’s married to Ryder. Then Reagan, who married Tiago.
Then Arianna, who married Dallas. And last, Melody, who recently married Brody. ”
Melody slaps a hand over her mouth, jumps down from the stool, and runs from the room.
I twist around to find Brody taking off after her at a jog.
Emilia sighs. “She’s pregnant. Everyone is.”
“Wait, didn’t she marry Brody two weeks ago?”
“Yep.” Emilia reaches around me to pick up a plate and hands it to me. “Morning sickness kicked in fast for her.”
I shudder as I look around at the other women. Apparently they’re all in various stages of pregnancy. I’m pretty sure Claire was the first to marry into this family, and that was less than three months ago, so no one is out of their first trimester.
Suddenly, Emilia releases my arm. Her breath hitches at the same time, and when I look at her, her cheeks are slightly pink. “Sorry,” she murmurs.
“For what?” I’m genuinely confused.
She waves toward my arm. “I didn’t mean to, uh…drag you around.”
I think Emilia means that she hadn’t realized she was touching me all this time. Nor does she know that I liked it. Did she? Or was that just her being friendly?
Based on the pursed lips of the other three women still sitting at the island, I suspect they noticed, too. I should not read anything into it. I must not. Emilia is Brody’s sister. His baby sister. She’s barely out of college.
My move to Wilde is going to be very uncomfortable if I don’t stop pining after the woman standing next to me.
I’m not here to hook up with my friend’s sister.
Plus, though I tend to forget sometimes, Brody is also my boss.
I’ve worked as one of his foremen for so long that I tend to forget that.
He turned over entire projects to me years ago. He never checks in with me.
And this woman with silky hair and pink cheeks next to me is his sister.