Page 14 of Twins for the Silver Foxes

“Can I eat?” Liddy’s hand inched toward her fork.

“Sure.” Ryland’s practiced efficiency had Liddy’s hair combed through and twisted up in a topknot in record time. Liddy never complained. She kicked her feet and ate bite after bite, chatting with Scott and Ryland like they were her best friends. It warmed my heart and set off warnings at the same time. We were only here for the summer. Neither of us could afford to get attached.

Arthur pushed open the door and strode into the kitchen. He’d cleaned up and changed into a suit and tie. His silver hair was slicked back, blue eyes bright but reserved. He avoided looking at me and joined Scott at the counter.

I handed him a plate and turned away, afraid of what I’d see in his face if I looked too close. Did I do something wrong? I mean, other than kissing him?

“Ryland, you and Scott have office work today, yes?” Arthur’s voice held no inflection, nothing that gave me any clue to his thoughts. Both men made affirmative noises.

“I have a photo shoot scheduled. I’ll be home around six,” Ryland said as he walked past me to the sink. He rinsed his plate and placed it in the dishwasher.

What was up with these men? I’d expected to do everything for them, yet Arthur had helped me cook, and Ryland was washing his own plate. Were they trying to make a good impression? Why? I’d agreed to do this job.

Scott finished his breakfast and stood. “We should have a barbeque tonight. Out by the pool.”

Arthur paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. His eyes slid to me, then away as his jaw hardened.

“Have you and Liddy ever been to a poolside barbecue?” Scott rounded the counter and came to stand beside me.

I finished scrambling the last batch of eggs and scraped them onto a plate. Liddy and I could eat them for lunch. “No.” I meant for the word to come out curtly and cold, but Scott’s proximity stole the breath from my lungs, taking the bite out of my reply.

“You should take advantage of the pool while you’re here.” He added his plate to the dishwasher and turned to face me, putting his back against the counter and crossing his arms. Biceps stretched against his blue polo shirt, the ribbed muscles in his abdomen contracting with every breath. “What’s ours is yours.”

While I was here. There it was again, another reminder of the ticking clock winding down my time in this lavish place.

“He’s right.” Ryland handed Liddy a paper towel and mimed wiping his face. “You’re welcome to check out the pool. The theater. Whatever you want.”

“Except Scott’s underwear drawer. I’d stay far away from that.” Arthur’s face remained still, but a hint of laughter popped in his eyes, creasing them in the corners.

Scott shook his head. “Little ears, man. Don’t be talking about stuff like that.”

Arthur stood and buttoned his suit jacket. “Right. Well, I’m off.”

I elbowed Scott in the gut. “You scared him off. He’s back to being serious British.”

“He’s always that way. I call him sourpuss behind his back.”

“And in front of it,” Arthur replied while walking away. “Better sour than rejected.”

I arched a brow at Scott. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Scott rubbed a palm over the side of his face. “I’ll let him explain it someday.” He checked his watch. “I need to go.”

“Don’t forget what we said.” Ryland retreated to the hallway.

Liddy and I followed them across the foyer and to the front door. “I won’t. Thank you.”

“I’ll cook tonight. You and Liddy can enjoy yourselves.” Scott slid a pair of sunglasses over his eyes and reached for the front door. He paused, his face inches from mine. Heat stretched between us, a moment so delicious and profound that I nearly leaned in and kissed him goodbye.

“Liddy and I don’t have swimsuits.”

“Buy yourselves some.” Ryland shouldered his camera bag. “Remember, the card in the side drawer. It’s for whatever you need. You might want to get Liddy some floaties and pool toys too.”

They left me standing there, my jaw unhinged, hope blooming bright and robust. I gaped at the closed door.

“Mama?” Liddy pulled on my hand. “We go swimming?”

“Yes.” Did I dare take their card and go shopping? Liddy and I truly needed bathing suits. And Liddy definitely should have floaties. She knew how to swim but was still unsure in the water. “Come on. Let’s get dressed.”

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