Page 40 of Renewal After Dark

“I’ll pay you anything you want to make it so I never have to open that hateful program again.”

She lost it laughing. “You don’t have to pay me. I’m living in your apartment and letting you drive me around. It’d be the least I could do to pay you back for all you’ve done for me.”

“You don’t have to pay me back for anything, but I’d love some help with my accounting. It’s the bane of my existence.”

“I’ve got you covered.”

The door swung open to admit his next-door neighbor Sierra, who owned a massage business. She had spiky dark hair, sleeve tattoos he’d done for her and a body that made the guys who worked for Duke drool. “Saw your truck out there on your day off.” She stopped when she saw McKenzie and the baby. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t realize you had guests.”

“Sierra, this is McKenzie and her son, Jax. She’s Rosemary’s granddaughter. Sierra owns the massage studio next door.”

“Oh, hey,” Sierra said. “Loved your grandma. She was dope.”

“Yes, she was.”

“She made the best banana bread. I miss that.”

“I know the recipe.”

“Don’t tease me unless you plan to come through.”

McKenzie smiled. “I’ll come through.”

“I’ll hold you to it.”

“Guess what else she knows how to do?” Duke asked with a big grin.

Sierra stole a mint from a bowl on the reception desk. “What’s that?”

“QuickBooks.”

“Stop it. Really?”

“Yep,” McKenzie said. “And I’m good at it. I even took a class.”

Duke stared at her. “You took a class.”

“I did.” McKenzie’s smile was nothing short of dazzling. “I aced it.”

“Name your price,” Sierra said. “I’ll give you everything I have.”

“That’s not necessary,” McKenzie said with a laugh. “I’d be happy to do it for you.”

“If you do it, you’ll be paid,” Sierra said. “Handsomely.”

“We can fight about that another time.”

“When can you start?”

“Maybe tomorrow?” She glanced at Duke, as if to ask if that worked for him. “I just have to see what Tiffany needs at the store.”

“We’ll take what we can get.” He glanced at Sierra. “Meet here around this time tomorrow?”

“I’ll be here,” Sierra said. “My first client is due any minute. Very nice to meet you, McKenzie and Jax. Have a good day, you guys.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

When Jax started to fuss, McKenzie put the portfolio on the glass coffee table and picked him up for a cuddle. That settled him right down.

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