Page 51 of My Darling Mayhem

It didn’t.

I could hear her small laugh, but she wrapped her hand around mine and interlocked our fingers as we walked into her job. Laminate flooring ran under our feet with a nice-looking runner that worked to catch dirt and other things from people coming in. There was a sleek L-shaped desk that had an apple monitor on it. There were photos along the wall of all the various floor plans for different houses.

“This is pretty cool,” I said, moving around to the drawers of custom carpet and fixture pieces.

I slid one out when Brian walked in.

“Wren. Finally.”

I didn’t appreciate his abrupt tone.

He froze when he saw me standing there, glaring at him. “What is he doing here?”

Wren started unpacking her laptop bag, mostly ignoring him.

“Archer gave me a ride today.”

I snapped my gaze to hers, wanting her to say more. That we were a couple or something that made me seem like more than just her neighbor, but why would she offer more than what I had given her?

Brian moved past me. “Thought your car was fixed?”

Were they texting each other still?

Why would it bother me so much if they were? Fuck, I hated this.

“I thought so, too. I’ll find out later.” Wren left her spot behind the desk and walked over to where I was standing.

“Well, she’s at work now. You can leave,” Brian said smugly while glancing at me. I thought I had taught him his lesson without even hitting him. But apparently not.

Letting out a laugh, I ducked my face. “You won’t be the one who tells me to leave. Trust me on that. I’m here as long as Wren wants me.”

Wren turned toward Brian and crossed her arms. “What are you doing here?”

He bristled slightly like he wasn’t prepared for her to question him. “I have a client question.”

“Is it something Gwen can help with?”

He twisted his lips, almost in a sneer. “Why can’t you help me?”

Wren glanced at me. “Because I’m helping Mr. Green with something related to his home. Also, I emailed Denise asking you to be assigned to Gwen from now on if you have any futureclients. I know Gwen would love to assist you when she’s back. Perhaps you could email her and make a plan.”

She had already requested he deal with someone else? Shit, that made me feel good.

Brian glared at Wren, which I didn’t love. I was going to be late for my own meeting, and this was one I really couldn’t fuck up with all the custody shit going on, but there was no way I was leaving her here with him.

“I’ll take off so you can work, Wren…but I’ll see you right after work when my mechanic arrives. I already texted him to meet us after we get the boys.”

Wren’s lips thinned out, almost as if she wanted to say something else, when she glanced at Brian. “Okay, yeah.”

I closed the distance between us, stood directly in front of her, and pulled her chin.

“Thanks for this morning,” I said before I kissed her.

I smiled against her mouth when she kissed me back, and we remained locked like that, kissing and breathing one another in while her shitty ex watched on. Once we broke apart, Wren was breathing hard.

I gave her one last smile before I turned toward Brian.

“After you.”

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