Page 42 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL
Clara takes Jared from me, fascinated by the exchange. “She definitely has a knack for kids.”
“Hmm.”
Then my best friend Nick walks in, larger than life and taking up space with his presence alone. I want to laugh when Raven, who never commented about him or his music, is suddenly starstruck as he charms her with his megawatt rockstar grin. At least, that’s what everyone calls it these days.
Ten minutes later, we’re all sitting at the dining table where Clara laid out a feast. We catch up and include Raven in the conversation without bringing up why she needs my services, and I can tell she likes this intimate setting better than the more public one at the diner. Her shyness disappears as Clara talks about their adventures in New York, where Nick had a special concert recently.
“So, how long will you be staying in town, Raven?” Clara asks as soon as the kids disperse to the living room, done with their meals.
“I’m not sure, but probably another month or two.” Raven glances at me. “It depends.”
I almost want it to depend on whatever’s between us, but I know that comes second—or maybe last—compared to her other priorities. Clara asks more questions that are pretty general, then the two women follow the children to the living room.
It’s no surprise that as soon as they’re there, Raven and Jazzy gravitate toward each other again, with Jared slipping in between them to listen to them talk. Soon Jared is in Raven’s lap, and the comfortable vibe between the three strikes something within me as I imagine Raven having a family of her own someday and looking exactly like this: happy, relaxed, and in tune. Then my chest tightens as I’m reminded that it means she’ll be far away from Sweet Haven.
After all, I don’t imagine the same for myself.
“Help me with the dishes, will you?”
I raise a brow but stand up and follow Nick to the kitchen. “So, you’re on kitchen duty now?”
“Always. Did you know Clara and I took up some culinary lessons? Now we take turns cooking.”
“And washing dishes?”
Nick grins. “I wash the dishes. She makes our houses homey and cozy.”
I chuckle, thinking that’s a fair deal. But I take over the sink, then accept the glass of whiskey that Nick pours for me after. He takes one for himself, too, as we drift to the front porch, where we have a view of the quiet street and the lively living room.
Nick pays more attention to Raven, though, sipping at leisure. “Is she a good client?”
“Yeah. Good pay and follows all the rules.”
“And do you?”
“Do I what?”
“Do you still follow your rules? And that one particular rule, is it still in place?”
Nick is the only one who knows about my rule. He and Clara know about my history with my old client, but it’s Nick who knows all the sordid details, including how I once felt about Honey Lee. He knows about the walls I built because he built those kinds of walls around himself, too, before he rekindled his relationship with my sister.
Normally, I’m honest with him about most things, but I find myself nodding.
“Of course.”
Nick contemplates my answer and doesn’t say a word. Then?—
“So, what does it mean that you broke the rule?”
I pause mid-sip, not expecting the bluntness. Maybe I should have. I glance at him, about to deny it again, but Nick’s already looking at me like he’s prepared to keep prodding until he gets to the truth.
“I didn’t break the rule.”
“But you touched her.”
“Yes. But we agreed on no attachments and no feelings.”
Laughter rings from the living room. I look back and watch as Raven tips her head back, tickled over whatever Clara and Jazzy are saying to her. I don’t know why my heart stutters when I see her like this, but the sight is wonderful and makes it impossible to look away.