Page 22 of How to Marry the Boss

“My previous roommate moved out with her fiancé. And Jonathan, being as overprotective as he’s always been, decided Jake should move in to keep an eye on me. I had no control over any of it, and by the time I discovered their master plan, the paperwork had already been signed.”

As partners in crime, Jake and Jonathan are the equivalent to Batman and Robin. Jonathan is the brains while Jake is obviously the brawn.

Vance shakes his head, seemingly bewildered. “I suspected he had balls, but…wow. That explains a lot.”

“Believe me, I plan to have a few words with my brother.”

“I meant Jake.”

After stopping at a red light, I turn toward him. “Why? What do you mean it ‘explains a lot’?”

“After you went to the bathroom, we had an…interesting conversation.”

“How so?”

“It was almost amusing, actually.” He laughs. “He was asking questions about you and me. About our relationship.”

“Questions?” The nerve of that man. Not only can’t he stay out of my business, he also can’t leave the people around me alone.

“He wanted to know how close we are and what kind of relationship we have. I’d swear he was fishing to find out if we’re dating.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course he was.”

“You don’t seem surprised.”

The light turns green, and I step on the gas. “He’s asking you those questions so he can relay the information to my brother. Believe me, there is nothing in my life that my brother doesn’t know about. It’s been that way from the time I was a kid.”

“I don’t know.” Vance shakes his head. “The way he was asking those questions, I didn’t get the vibe that he was gathering information. He sounded like someone who felt…threatened.”

“In what way?”

“The way a man who doesn’t want other men around his woman does.”

Is he saying what I think he’s saying? No. He can’t be. It’s not possible. “You’re wrong. Jake treats me like his best friend’s kid sister. Always has.”

“If that were the case, he would never have moved in with you.”

“Are you saying he’s lying to me?”

“I’m saying the reason he’s given you for moving in is bullshit.”

“I wish, but this has Jonathan written all over it. He’s always overstepped. And Jake seems more than happy to do his bidding.” I make a mental note to give Jake a stern talking-to when I get home.

“I’m just saying. A guy like Jake would never move in with a beautiful woman like you just to babysit. In fact, I’m willing to bet Jonathan has nothing to do with Jake moving in. Hell, he probably has no idea.”

Even if that were true, why would Jake lie to me? And if he is, why the hell would he move in with me in the first place? I can’t get ahead of myself or get my hopes up. This is Vance’s perspective, not fact or truth.

“You don’t look convinced.” Vance barges in on my thoughts. “But I know guy logic. The minute he saw me beside you, he started glaring daggers.”

“He was being a watchdog. A bit abrasive, but still a watchdog.”

“I know what I saw. And the way you looked at each other was like watching fireworks go off. The chemistry between you two was off the charts.”

“Chemistry?” I scoff. “There’s no chemistry. Far from it. I was angry at him, and he was dismissing how I felt. Again, to him, I’m just his best friend’s kid sister.” I accepted that fact a long time ago.

“Are you sure? Because it didn’t seem like he was dismissing you. I think he was teasing you. Maybe even flirting with you.”

“Are you saying he likes to get on my nerves on purpose? That sounds counterintuitive.”

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