“So my brother tells me you’re bodyguarding Amanda?”
I jerk my gaze back to him. “Yeah.”
“Any trouble last night?”
“It was quiet.” I glance at Mandy again, who now looks teary. It takes all my willpower not to cross the room and wrap a supportive arm around her. “Is Harlow going to forgive her?” Noah may tell me to fuck off…but I hope he won’t. “It would mean the world to Mandy. She’s been through a lot.”
“Mandy, huh?” His glance is full of speculation. I ignore his unspoken question. “Yeah. My wife understands quite well what it means to be young and to fall for a player. She’s not mad at Amanda. Did she hope that maybe the friend she’s had her whole life would want to talk sooner? Invite her to meet her baby brother? Sure. But she’s not so hurt that it will end their friendship unless Amanda wants it to.”
I shake my head. “I think she’ll be thrilled to spend time with Harlow once she knows she’s welcome.”
“We talked to Griff last night, and he told us about Amanda’s apology. It gave Harlow hope that they could be friends again.”
“Mandy would like that. I think she’s going to move here.”
“With you? Because the way you’re looking at her, I’m thinking you’re more than her bodyguard.”
It’s none of his business, but I’m betting that he and his wife could be allies. “I’d like to be, and she knows it.”
“From what Harlow told me, Amanda needs and deserves someone who will be honest, faithful, and devoted to her. Can you be all that?”
“Yes, but the ball is in her court.”
“Wrong sport for me…” Noah smiles. “But let me know if I can help.”
“Harlow told Mandy you two would be willing to watch Oliver for a few hours. I know you’ve got your own baby and your mother and—”
“I’ve also got extra hands here today. Nia and her husband’s best friend, Sebastian, are hosting some super-secret meeting for the executive management of Evan’s company, Stratus, in our ohana out back. But they’ll be breaking shortly. You looking to slip away for a romantic afternoon?”
It would be nice, but… “My primary goal is to get in more self-defense and target practice. Mandy is determined to learn how to defend herself when the need arises again.”
“Sounds like a good idea. And if she’s worried about Oliver’s safety, there are five adults in this house, plus the guard outside. Trace should have told y’all to come here when the shit went down at Nia’s place.”
“Mandy will probably take you up on the offer to keep Oliver for a few hours, but she would refuse to stay here when she’s a target. She doesn’t want to bring trouble to you or anyone else she loves. I’m sure she appreciates the thought, but we’re fine where we are.”
“And I imagine you’re more alone with her wherever you’re staying than you would be here.”
It wasn’t my first thought, but… “Can’t deny that.”
Noah smiles, and I turn to see Mandy leaning in to hug Harlow. I’m proud of her because I know mending fences couldn’t have been easy. She’s clearly worried the Reed clan hated her for being a home wrecker, but they’ve all been kind and forgiving—unlike their father.
The pretty brunette smiles as she hugs Mandy back. “Want to come upstairs and meet Nolan?”
“I’d love to.” She looks genuinely happy. “Stephen shared the pictures on social media with me. He looks amazing, so much like Noah. But he has your smile.”
“He does. He’s not even eight weeks old, and I can already tell he’s going to be physical and athletic like his daddy.” Harlow winks. “But he’s got Mommy’s attitude.”
Mandy actually laughs. “Uh-oh. Watch out, world!”
“Right? We also have Trace’s little boy, Ranger, with us for the night. He’s going to be a pistol, too.”
The women disappear upstairs with Oliver, and I can hear the cooing and the conversation echo across the tile floors.
Noah leans back against the nearest counter. “My mom will eat up having Oliver here. Now that Griff and Britta have announced they’re having a third, she’s all over Harlow and me to get busy again.”
Already? “What does Harlow think?”
His smile turns all sly grin. “We’re trying. I’d like two close together. Trace and I bonded a lot because we were. She wants a girl. But whatever happens, we’re both happy.”
I can tell. “Congratulations.”
Suddenly, the back door opens. Nia charges in, shaking her head, then speaking over her shoulder at the buttoned-up suit following. “How the hell did you screw up everything before day one, Bas?”
“It’s not like I went out of my way to nail the competition,” he insists. “I was at a bar. She walked in. I flirted. She flirted back. Then—”
“I don’t need a play-by-play.” Nia wrinkles her nose. “But you literally had sex with the competitor who’s trying to ruin our business.”
“No, I had sex with a gorgeous redhead who flipped my switch. I didn’t ask her for her life story before we fell into bed.”
Nia turns and glares at him. “Did you even ask her name?”
He clams up. “I’m not apologizing for my sex life.”
“At least admit that taking her to bed was a mistake.” Bas is silent, irritating Nia even more. “How the hell are you supposed to lead the negotiation to buy her business out from under her? We all knew it would be messy since she’s not inclined to sell, but how much more hostile will it be when she realizes you screwed her literally and figuratively?”
“She shouldn’t be hostile after the number of orgasms I gave her.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Nia cocks her hand on her hip. “When Evan hears about this, he’ll be pissed.”
“He, of all people, knows I need to move on.”
I only have the vaguest idea what they’re talking about, but Nia doesn’t seem to be backing down. Neither is Bas. Competitor or not, I don’t think he’s done with this woman.
Noah clears his throat, and they both jolt as they realize they’re not alone. “Hi.”
“Sorry,” Nia apologizes. “I didn’t see you two there.”
I don’t know how they missed us since we’re standing in the middle of the kitchen. She was probably too focused on reaming out Sebastian, and he was probably too busy defending himself.
“No worries,” Noah assures. “Tanner, this is Sebastian Shaw. Bas, Tanner Kirk.”
“Hey.” The tall guy with blond hair in a precise corporate cut sticks out his hand. “Good to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
An uncomfortable silence falls then, like no one knows how to clear the air of Bas accidentally sleeping with the enemy.
“Well…I’ll just go find a tall tree and hang myself.” Bas sends Nia an acidic glance.
She tsks at him. “Dramatic much? We have to figure out how to fix this situation.”
“Nia, she still doesn’t know who I am…”