Page 9 of Cold as (N)ice

“You need the job, and you’ll find I’m pretty flexible about things. The only thing I ask is if you get smelly stuff for the house, make sure it’s not weird. Pick out what you would like, and don’t cheap out. If lightning strikes and I happen to bring a date home, then I need to make sure it looks and smells good.”

Irene swallowed, nodding.

“Are you good?” he said simply, watching her. “Or do you need that contract?”

“I’m good,” she whispered.

“And you can start today?”

“Yes.”

“Perfect,” he said before relaxing slightly and holding out his hand to shake hers. “I’m gonna order a pizza because I’m starving. There’s paper and pencil in the junk drawer here,” he paused, yanking open one of the kitchen drawers where a few double-A batteries rolled loosely along with a stack of Post-its and a single paperclip. “Make a list of what you need. Don’t forget my towels, and I’m gonna relax for a bit.”

“Certainly,” she nodded. “I’ll get Stephen to move so you can…”

“He’s fine,” he interrupted bluntly, cutting her off and turning away from her as if to end the conversation. To her shock, Barrett moved toward Stephen and signed.

Scoot over – and restart the game. I’m Luigi.

I’m Toad – and you’re gonna play with me?

Heck yeah, I’m playing – and you’re gonna l-o-o-o-o-ose,Barrett spelled out in an exaggerated manner shaking his hands to draw out the word, making Stephen laugh as her son immediately scooted over.

To her shock, Barrett then flopped down in the center of the couch. The disheveled man-bun practically bobbing on his head, and took up a game controller… grinning at the television.

Andthiswas her new boss?

3

COEUR

I’m gonna kill Batiste,Barrett thought silently as the turtle shell hit his character on the screen, drawing out an exaggerated high-pitched giggle from the child next to him. His teammate told him that Irene wasn’t good-looking in the slightest and that had been a flat-out lie.

The woman was exquisite, which prompted his other question about her ex-husband. The moment it was out of his mouth, he felt like a lecherous dog – and she was eyeing him like it. He was trying his best not to ogle her and being nice to her child, but obviously, she had a past. Heck, she had a seven-year-old kid. So his question had been founded in one way or another – where was the dad?

And felt a frantic tapping on his arm, causing him to look at Stephen.

This is so much fun!

The child’s eyes were dancing brightly, and his whole face was illuminated with the simplistic joy that came from being thrilled. He wondered for a brief moment if he would like to see a hockey game because he remembered his dad taking him when he was a boy and –oh geez! What am I thinking?

Lots of fun,Barret signed back to Stephen and then looked over his shoulder at Irene again, who was taking inventory of what he had in the refrigerator and freezer. She was tapping a pencil idly on her lower lip, standing there, deep in thought… only to feel the little slap of his game partner once again, drawing his attention away from her.

Do you want to play a different game?

Sure. Like what?

What do you have?

I don’t have many two-player games. How about Star Wars Legos?

Nah.

How about we are both Princess Peach? Can you imagine two pinkish girls flopping around on the screen? Which one is yours?

A loud peal of laughter escaped the boy as they immediately turned back to the screen, sitting back together on the couch and starting the game. He could feel Irene’s eyes on him and knew she was watching. He was trying to pay attention to what was happening on the screen and failing miserably as his pink car just careened off the rainbow road.

Hearing a knock, he jumped up and quickly signed.

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