KING: Las Vegas Bad Boys(22)

“Fantastic,” I tell her. “Is everything all right? It seems loud?”

“No, it’s fine. Just busy. Running errands. So when do we leave?” she asks. “I need to get my ducks in a row.”

I smile, knowing phrases like ducks in a row is the exact reason I am taking her home, and not some flighty girl.

“Tomorrow,” I say, checking my computer screen for the flight times. “Ten in the morning. I’ll send a car around; just text me your address.”

“Okay. So I’ll just pack and ... I don’t actually know what I should pack. Is it like a jeans and sweater weekend or like ... actually, that’s basically all I have.”

“You know what,” I tell her, grimacing at the thought of her at the Hertfordshire estate in those worn boots. “Why don’t you swing back round to the hotel and get a credit card from me to purchase some new items for your wardrobe. Less shabby chic and more ... I don’t know ... Princess Kate.”

“This is starting to feel like Pretty Woman or something.” She half-laughs, then whispers into the phone as if she doesn’t want someone to overhear. “Just to be clear, there was no sex involved in the job offer.”

“Of course not—but, you know, it isn’t off the table.”

“Just not included in the handling fees.”

“Exactly,” I tell her. “Any sex had will not be a part of the job. It will be only for pleasure.”

“I think you should maybe hold off on the sexpectations a bit. For me, this really is a job. Sex is not the priority. Getting your family to believe we are a couple is.”

“What, you don’t want to sleep with me again?” I ask her, a bit surprised. Claire’s hard to read. Sometimes she seems all in, and other times ... it’s like her mind is somewhere else entirely. In all honesty, I’m not used to this reaction from a woman. Most women are dying to have my full attention.

“Fuck. Shit. Sorry, I have to go. I’ll call you back,” she says. The call ends and I stare at my phone confused. What the hell is going on with her?

What the hell is going on with her?

Then I shrug it off—not my business—and go back to my computer screen to book the tickets.





Chapter Ten





Claire



After kindergarten drop-off I come home, do laundry, clean the condo, and sit online paying bills. The three hours zoom by and the next thing I know I’m picking Sophia up from her half day.

Standing outside the classroom with the other kinder-moms, I can’t help but notice how different we are. They hold to-go cups of coffee, and with their hair pulled back they show off giant diamond earrings. I always notice details like this—but today I realize that if all goes perfectly with Landon’s family, in a week I could be like them.

I could be wearing cute yoga pants, having just returned from a workout and coffee date. I could be stress-free and smiling. Not looking frazzled, still unshowered, and hungry, like I am most days. Like I am right now.

“Hi—it’s Claire, right?” asks a woman I’ve run into a few times at pick-up.

“Yeah, that’s right. And you’re JoJo, Hardy’s aunt, right?”

JoJo is super in shape and super gorgeous, with flaming red hair.

“Yep,” she says. “I help my sister with him as much as I can. She’s a solo parent, and I’m glad I can help.”

“That’s awesome. I’m a single mom, too.” I blink, wondering why the hell I can tell this stranger the state of my family affairs, but not my best friends.

“Well, I don’t know how often you can get out, but a group of my friends and I are going to a show at Spades Royalle in a few nights. Would you like to come? I mean, it’s the all-male revue but should be fun? I’m actually kinda into one of the guys in the show and want to check him out. Which, I know, over-share much?”

Knowing firsthand how hot McQueen is, I have no doubt she’s into one of the guys in the show with him. They’re all gorgeous and ripped. Heck, the guy she has the hots for very well could be McQueen.

Instead of asking about McQueen, I stick to the facts.

“I wish I could, but I’m going to be out of town next week.”

“Oh, really? Work or pleasure?”

I bite my lip, knowing it’s both, and knowing that the moment I agreed to Landon’s job offer my life became an episode of some Bravo! TV show.

“Pleasure, mostly. Going to England, actually.”

“Oh, wow, that’s awesome,” she says. “Well, have a blast.”

Just then the kindergarten class files out into the hallway.

“Nice seeing you, JoJo,” I say, reaching for Sophia’s hand the moment she steps out the door. I sweep her up, knowing I need to get home and start packing.