Page 43 of Holiday Hire

"Yeah, he is," I interject, glaring at him.

He jerks his head back. "Man, why are you interfering in my business?"

"Phoebe's business is my business," I claim.

"Oh?" she says in surprise.

Jericho scoffs. "Yeah? How's that?" He glances at Phoebe, then adds, "She doesn't look like she agrees with your statement, man."

I meet Phoebe's eyes.

A blush crawls up her neck and into her cheeks.

Directing my disapproval back on Jericho, I declare, "She doesn't date. She's got a boyfriend, so back off."

Surprise fills his expression. He asks Phoebe, "Is that true? You're taken? Willow said you weren't."

She gapes between me and Jericho.

I ignore her expression and affirm, "She is. She's on a break with her boyfriend, but it's just a break. They're just taking some space from each other," I say, as if I actually understand their stupid arrangement.

Jericho puts his hands up. "All right, man. Phoebe, let me know when you're done with that dude, and we'll exchange numbers." He walks away.

Phoebe stares at me.

I can't tell if she's unhappy or glad I stepped in, but I suddenly feel foolish. I blurt out, "He's the biggest moron here. You can do better than that."

She studies me for a moment, then bites out, "Do you think you can keep my business to yourself?"

I freeze, my heart beating faster.

She continues, "I can decide who I want to know my business, but it's my decision, not yours. And I already told him I didn't want his number. There wasn't any reason for you to step in and shout my personal problems all over the place."

"He wasn't taking no for an answer. I know that slimeball."

She puts her hand on her hip. "We're in a public place. He asked for my number. I'm more than capable of replying and deciding whether I want to give it to him or not."

"Well, what's the point? You're only here until Monday," I remind her, then instantly regret it.

Anger flares on her cheeks and she glares at me.

All the times I've said that to her this week, I've never seen her angry, but I realize she is, and maybe I've said it too many times and pushed her too far.

She releases a deep breath. In a calm tone and through gritted teeth, she asks, "Why don't you remind me one more time?"

I instantly feel bad. In reality, my life would be much easier if I kept Phoebe here. She is valuable, and I recognize that. My life's been easy this week because she's helped out so much, and the boys love her. So do the other kids. Hell, my entire family loves her.

I need to prove to them that I can care for my children, with or without my parents here.

Before I can apologize for being such a dick, she spins and stomps toward Willow. For the rest of the night, she doesn't talk to me.

I try to think of what to say to get her back on my side or at least not be angry with me, but nothing comes to mind. The whole night, I watch her, barely taking in any of the rodeo or hearing the conversations around me.

Even when Sebastian tries to talk to me about several business ventures we need to discuss, I can't keep my mind on it. There's only one thing it's on, and it's how to get back into her good graces.

It all confuses me. I don't even understand why I care about her feelings, but every time she roams into our VIP area, I feel guilty.She interacts with the kids, chasing them when they're running around between the bull rides. My family fusses over her, and to everyone, it looks like we're fine.

I know we're not though.

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