Page 87 of Strictly the Worst

“What’s interesting?” I turn to look at him.

“If Zoe’s going out this afternoon that means when she leaves we’ll be all alone without a chaperone. It’ll officially count as our first date.”

LINC

Carmichael can sand floors like a fucking demon. She’s put me on finishing duty, polishing the wood with a higher grade sander, but she’s in charge of the push-along beast, biting her lip as she maneuvers it around the room.

Zoe, taking full advantage of the fact that I’m the second laborer and have effectively taken her job, spends half her time on her phone, and the other half asking me questions about Ryker.

“When did you meet him?” she asks.

“A couple of years ago in London. They were recording some music for an advertisement.” They also got so drunk that night that I ended up bailing them out of the local police station. But I don’t tell Zoe that.

I’m on my knees on the floor. Carmichael and Zoe are still standing up, making me feel like I’m begging them for something.

“Does he have a girlfriend?” Zoe asks, stuffing the last of the croissants into her mouth.

“Yes. Several,” I say dryly. Carmichael shoots me a look.

“PG,” I mouth and she smiles.

And fuck I like her smile. Way too much. I like being here. I haven’t gotten my hands dirty renovating anything in more than ten years. But there’s something satisfying about it. Fun, too, when you’re doing it with people you like.

“Does he have a big house?” Zoe asks, licking her finger and putting it into the bag to capture the flakes of croissant at the bottom.

“Not that I know of,” I say. “He bought his mom a house in Wisconsin.”

Tessa lets out a sigh. “That’s sweet.”

“I don’t think Ryker can be described as sweet,” I say, lifting a brow. Her eyes meet mine and I’m remembering the panties.

Fuck, I want Carmichael’s panties. I find myself wondering what kind she’s wearing today.

And then her daughter speaks again and I remember where I am.

“So does he live with his mom?” Zoe asks. “When he’s not touring, I mean.”

I cough out a laugh. “Jesus, no. Just flits around from hotel to hotel I think. Maybe the band rents an Airbnb sometimes.”

“That’s sad that he doesn’t have anywhere permanent.” She sounds genuinely sorry for the guy. I make a mental note to tell Ryker. This kid is killing me.

“Linc flits from hotel to hotel, too,” Tessa tells Zoe.

“Do you?” Zoe tips her head to the side. “Why? Don’t you have a home?”

“I have an apartment,” I tell her. “But I have to travel a lot.”

“Like when you and Mom went to Exuma?” she asks.

“Yeah. Usually not quite as exotic as that. Mostly Europe.”

“Where in Europe? I’ve always wanted to go.” Zoe’s eyes widen.

Carmichael clears her throat and I realize I’ve stopped sanding. I wink and start again.

“So where have you been?” Zoe asks, following me as I move to the next area that needs sanding.

“Zo, can you at least pretend to work?” Tessa says. “Poor Linc is picking up all the slack here.”

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