Page 6 of Clueless Romeo

"Yes, please." I dug my wallet from my pocket. "And I'll take Jazmine's too."

"On it." She turned toward an old French press and spoke over her shoulder. "How's your business?"

"Thriving with singles seeking matrimony," I answered with a pasted-on smile.

She chuckled as she snagged two to-go cups. "You sure those women aren't signing up just to get the chance to see you?"

The comment was made in jest, but unfortunately, she wasn't wrong. I'd been hit on more times than I could count, but I wasn't the type to settle down. Not anytime soon, at least. So, while some of the women might be interested in my appearance, most of them only sought out my services as they were ready to settle down and build a family. "Nah, they all want a nice, normal guy."

She gave me a reprimanding look as she turned, holding two steaming cups. "Youarea nice, normal guy Roman."

She was always on me about my dating life. Or lack of one. I wasn't interested in more than one night with a woman, but she didn't need to know those details. So to stop her line of questioning, I casually switched her attention to my sister. "Jazmine started seeing some guy she met a few weeks ago."

"She did? Tell her she's in trouble for not telling me." Mrs. Walden set the cups on the counter and placed lids on them. As she cashed out my order, she continued rambling. "But you would make some sweet girl happy. It's a shame you don't give them a chance."

"Maybe one day, Mrs. Walden." I humored her because it was the fastest way to end the conversation.

Somewhat satisfied with my response, she handed me back my card. "Send Jazmine to see me tomorrow so I can badger her about the new beau."

Gladly, I thought. Better her than me. "I sure will, Mrs. Walden. Have a good rest of the day."

She smiled and nodded. "You too, Roman."

After gathering the coffees, I headed for the door. On my way back to my office, I sipped the scalding liquid, welcoming the heat as it warmed my bones.

I noticed the truck's tailgate was down as I approached the office. Furniture and cardboard boxes were squeezed into the vehicle, but the twins were nowhere in sight.

I glanced through my new neighbors' shop window as I passed, spotting both of them inside. CJ stood with his arms folded across his chest, glaring at Caleb, who leaned against the wall with his phone to his ear. It surprised me how much I was looking forward to hanging out with them. But I had to admit that CJ was the one I wanted to know more about, even though I couldn't say why. With Sherry waiting for me, my musing about him would have to wait, I thought as I continued to my suite and pushed into the lobby.

Immediately I was met with Jazmine's eye roll as she took the cup I passed her. She covertly stuck her thumb out toward my office, mouthinggood luck.

"You too," I whispered. "Mrs. Walden is dying to talk about your newbeau."

Jazmine growled under her breath. "You are the worst brother in the history of brothers."

After tossing a shit-eating grin her way, I stepped into my office, and my client's frantic hazel eyes sought mine.

"I don't think I can do it, Roman." She twisted her fingers into the material of her long skirt. "I just… What if it doesn't work? And I'm pretty sure his mother hates me. And his sister…" Sherry blew out a long breath and covered her face with her hands. She was clearly on edge.

"It's okay," I said in my most calming voice as I rounded my desk and lowered myself into the chair. Reluctantly setting my coffee aside, I leaned forward, elbows on the desk. "First, take a deep breath for me." She uncovered her face and did as I asked. I gave her an approving smile. "Now, tell me what's going on. Let's see if I can help."

Two

CJ

"Feelfree to jump in and help anytime." I sighed as I deposited the last box of our personal things onto the floor. Caleb's lazy ass leaned against the wall, and he slowly scrolled through his phone even though he'd just hung up with his girlfriend. Meanwhile, I was already sweating from hauling box after box to the upstairs apartment.

"Sure," he muttered, yet he didn't bother looking up from the screen.

Caleb was a lazy bastard, and I knew most, if not all, of the workload would fall on my shoulders. I rested my hands on my hips before lifting one to rub my eyes in frustration. Scanning the freshly painted white walls and newly laid tile floor in neutral-toned diamond shapes, I became more irritated the longer he stood there, doing nothing. There was so much to do to prepare the store, but at least the landlord had taken the time to really deep clean the place after we'd viewed the vacancy. That was one obstacle out of the way.

Even though I'd probably get more done without his help, fifty percent of any profit we made belonged to Caleb, so he needed to move his ass. "Can you please make yourself slightly useful and help me haul some of these boxes upstairs?"

I shouldn't even have to ask, but at this point, it couldn't hurt.

"Uh-huh," he replied in a tone that indicated he was placating me. And now I was certain he wasn't even listening to me.

Shaking my head, I muttered, "Why didn't you just enter the NBA draft like you planned? You obviously don't want this."

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