Page 98 of Worth the Chase

“Right. Almost forgot to tell you all that I’m moving Bells in with me. And she doesn’t have a choice,” I announced as everyone was saying their hellos to each other.

“I have a choice,” she argued—becauseof course she argued.

“You don’t.” Her brother sided with me.

“It’s a good idea. I would feel better if you were here with Matthew,” her mom said before pinching my cheek like I was a toddler.

Her dad hadn’t said much of anything the entire time, and I assumed that he was processing what he’d just heard in his ownway. I couldn’t imagine that any father enjoyed hearing what he just had.

“Thank you for taking care of her,” he said to me privately as he was leaving, shaking my hand in the process.

“I always will.”

“I know. I’m glad she has you.”

“That means a lot.” I gave him a half smile as he left with his wife.

I put a hand on Leo’s shoulder to stop him before he followed them right out the door and bailed.

“You staying in town for the day?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Nah. I gotta get back to the office. Looks like she’s in good hands anyway,” he said.

I was grateful that my dating his sister wasn’t some huge issue for him.

A part of me hadn’t been sure what direction that conversation was going to head in. Leo could have been pissed and vowed to never speak to me again, and honestly, I wouldn’t have really given a shit. The only thing that would have bothered me was how that kind of response would have hurt Bells. She loved her brother, and I didn’t want them not talking to one another because of me.

“She is. And, hey, thanks for being cool about this,” I said. I wanted him to know that I appreciated the grace he was giving.

“It’s still a little weird. Never thought I’d see a time when you’d settle down, but I see it clear as day when you look at her. Which is gross. So, stop it.” He laughed as he made a face.

“I’ll try to keep it in check when you’re around. Speaking of, you’ve got to come home more often,” I demanded, as if I had any right to do so, but he really did look awful.

He nodded. “I will.”

“You won’t,” I countered because we both knew that as long as he was trying to climb that proverbial ladder, he wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

“Probably not,” he agreed.

We hugged, both of us patting the other’s back a little harder than necessary.

“I was serious about the job if you ever want one. That offer does not have an expiration date. You know, in case you burn yourself out in three to five years,” I said once we broke apart, hoping he knew that I meant it.

The rate that Leo was going, it could lead to him either burning the fuck out or running the place.

“Not gonna happen, but I appreciate it.”

There was that Leo Sanchez arrogance I’d always respected. It was part of the reason why he had been my best friend when we were kids. He never let anyone tell him what he could or couldn’t accomplish.

“Walk me out, sis?”

Bells nodded, and they disappeared outside together. My brothers were now moving the boxes they’d stacked in the kitchen downstairs, and I grabbed one and headed down, laughing at the way Jasper was sprawled out across the floor like he owned the place.

“We get it all?” I asked once I dropped it onto the carpet.

“Wedid not. But Thomas and I did,” Patrick sassed. He really had been such a mouthy thing since Addison had come back into his life.

“Thank you. I appreciate it,” I said.

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