Page 22 of Never Say Yes To Your Boss

Today was the day, and I was up at the butt crack of dawn to get ready, even though there was nothing for me to do. I had my regular cleaning company come in last night and do a thorough clean, not that there was much that wasn’t spotless, because they’re insanely good at what they do. I was going to go over meal plans with my chef but then decided to give him control of the kitchen and not be a commanding, nosy bastard. I’ll just keep an eye out for extra beard seasoning.

I wandered around the house while I tried to pretend I wasn’t doing exactly that, working when I could and working out my shoulder when I couldn’t focus on that anymore. I had no idea noon would take so long to get here.

Hans took Everleigh’s convertible to pick everyone up from the airport. He dropped her off when she left and then brought it back here, and she insisted on Hans bringing it today as well instead of getting a cab.

“Heather, don’t unleash him yet,” Everleigh says cautiously. “This place is like a castle. If he gets loose and makes a break for it, we might never catch him.”

“He’s just rattled by the flight,” Heather insists.

They brought the cat.

The cat that broke into their home.

They freaking brought it.

I had no idea it was coming, and no, I’m not put out. I don’t mind one bit because cats are great. All animals are great. I should really take Everleigh’s advice and get a dog. It would probably be good for me.

“We brought the cat,” Heather turns to me and announces like it isn’t obvious. “I hope that’s okay. He’s a member of the family now, and we didn’t want to just leave him. He might jump ship on us, and I’m getting attached to his feral ass.”

She looks so much like Everleigh that it’s obvious they’re sisters. They have the same heart-shaped face, coral lips, and light blue eyes, as well as the same high cheekbones and thick lashes. Heather has a bright green toque covering her head, and long pink hair flows from it. I remember what Everleigh said before.

She catches me looking, and I feel like both a creep and an asshole, but she just smiles warmly and points to her hair. “It’s a wig. Probably the only time I’m ever going to want to rock one because they’re itchy and annoying, but I always wanted to dye my hair pink. And now, we’re kind of semi-rich, so I can afford good wigs. I bought this one before, but I have some really good, real-hair ones on order. Thanks for the extra cash.” She walks over and sticks out her hand. “Good to finally meet you, D.”

Only Hans calls me D, but I’m going to let this one slide because Heather is awesome and kind, and even though she’s sick and her skin is on the pale side, she’s still smiling, and she’s radiating charm and warmth. I like her. I like her a lot. She’s like her sister that way too. Tough but warm. They both have those kick life’s ass vibes about them. Tiny but mighty—that cliché totally suits them.

I go to shake her hand, but at the last second, she tricks me, throwing herself into my arms. I barely have time to catch her. It’s a lucky thing my shoulder gives me a break and lets my arm be strong enough to support her. If I dropped Everleigh’s sister when she sneak attacked and hugged me, it would definitely make a bad first impression.

The cat yowls from its carrier again, and Heather backs up a few paces. “This is my mom,” she says. “Mom, Everleigh’s hot husband, Darius. Now, we had better get this guy upstairs to our room and let him out before he blows a gasket. He’s barely past the feral stage, and it was hell getting him in there. It took four cans of tuna, a set of oven mitts, and full-on layers of clothingto half lure and half shove him in. He’s probably going to need a bath since he’s likely covered in tuna. Yeah, that’s the smell coming from the cage.”

“I can show you where it is. Your room, I mean. Uh, and I can also call in some kind of professional if you want to bathe him so he doesn’t rip you apart.”

“Like a swat team?” Heather jokes.

“I was thinking more like a vet so they can sedate him.”

“Sedate him?” Heather’s mouth drops.

“Sedation,” I confirm. “Just that.”

“I think we’ll be okay.” Everleigh’s mom, who is an older, elegant, stunning version of her girls with long blonde hair and the same gorgeous eyes and petite build, picks the cage up. “We’ll manage, even if we have to dress in layers again.”

“Dress in layers,” Everleigh repeats for my benefit. “You should have seen us this morning trying to get this cat in the cage. Can you order a welding apron, welding gloves, and the helmet and everything for us so we’re armed when we have to get him back into the cage?”

“That’s an excellent idea.” Heather throws her arm around her sister’s shoulders, and Everleigh hugs her back, draping one arm affectionately around Heather’s waist after. In jeans and blue sweaters, I don’t think they planned to be matching, but from the back, they could be twins, even with Heather’s pink hair. “But she’s kidding. We’ll be okay.”

“I’m pretty sure that cat is the spawn of all things unholy,” I mutter, not meaning to be overheard.

“Undoubtedly,” Heather agrees, turning her head back over her shoulder to grin at me. “But we love him anyway. Thanks for taking us in, D. You’re as good at adopting strays as we are.”

“Your sister didn’t cat burglar her way into my life,” I protest, then realize how awful that sounds. I have a darker complexion, dark hair, dark eyes, and an olive undertone to match, thanks tomy dad’s side of the family, but I’m pretty sure I’m blushing. It’s not something I ever really feel myself doing, though, so maybe I’m not. Maybe my face is just a thousand degrees on the inside, but outside, it’s not red at all.

“Ignore her,” Everleigh pleads. “She’s trying to be inappropriate on purpose.”

“If we can’t laugh about the crazy wedding where the guy’s brother switched himself out and you married the wrong one, but they both have the same name, and then they drugged you and flew you across the country, and you ended up in some big old house that kind of looks like a creepy old castle with so much land that it might as well be one, and also the whole granny’s will thing, and how your life became a fairy tale to save all our asses, but mostly mine, then what can we do?”

A moment of stunned silence follows that. Finally, Hans appears around the corner, and he’s all smiles. “Shall I take the rabid beast?” he asks, this time adopting an Australian accent.

Heather grins, and Everleigh’s mom passes the cage to Hans. She looks tired but hopeful. And happy. Happy to be with both of her daughters again, even if she’s a bit worn out with worry. Worrying about Everleigh and worrying about Heather. It’s tough to be a parent. I can only imagine. Your kids’ happiness is your happiness. I want to promise her that everything is going to be okay with both her daughters, and I wish it were in my power to make it happen. I’ll do everything I damn well can, that’s for sure.

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