Page 45 of Holiday Hire

I want to protest but don't. Adding to my disdain is his incompetence on how to be a gentleman and open the door for her.

She gets into his car, and everyone pulls through the gates. I stare after them, trying to calm my skyrocketing pulse.

"Dad, let's go," Wilder commands.

"Yeah, what are you doing?" Willow questions.

I begrudgingly get into the truck and pull up to the house.

Mom's already hugging Lance, which only irritates me further.

I step beside Phoebe, stating, "Didn't realize we were going to have company."

She shakes her head. "I didn't invite him."

"You want me to get rid of him?" I say quietly.

The corners of her lips turn up, and I almost think she'll say yes until my mom steps between us.

"Phoebe, darling, do you want the butterfly or stallion guesthouse?"

Phoebe doesn't answer.

Mom continues, "Do you remember which is which?"

I groan, wishing my mom would shut her mouth and not interfere.

Phoebe replies, "Either is fine, but honestly, he can stay in a hotel. I don't want to put you out, especially with no notice."

"Nonsense. You pick which guesthouse you want, then go get your stuff from your room," Mom orders.

"Stuff from my room?"

"Yes. You'll want some things so you won't have to run back and forth all weekend, right?" Mom answers.

My gut churns.She cannot stay with this idiot all weekend.

"Won't the boys need me?" Phoebe asks.

Mom waves her hand, answering, "Nah."

At the same time, I say, "Yes."

Both my mom and Phoebe stare at me in surprise.

Oh shit. What did I say?

Mom's expression looks disapproving. In a stern voice, she states, "I think you can handle them for a night, Alexander. Can't you?" She shoots me a challenging stare.

My insides tremble. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place, so I admit, "Yeah, of course I can."

"I thought so," Mom replies, then pats Phoebe on the arm. "So, dear, do you want the butterfly or stallion guesthouse?"

My chest tightens, and I don't move. I try to figure out how to make sure Phoebe stays in my house and not with her moron boyfriend.

He needs to leave Texas quickly. If he doesn't, I'm going to have to toss him out.

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