Page 97 of Mr. Charming

“Toby said she’s kind of overbearing?” Theo will give me all the dirt that Toby doesn’t want to spread.

“She tries to mother Mason like she’s already his grandmother. Toby’s not having it. It’s really funny to watch, though.”

I frown because I want my dad to find someone who fits into our family, but maybe that’s hopeful thinking. If he’s happy, we need to stay out of it.

“Shit.” He looks at his blind spot, checks his mirrors, and drives across three lanes to the exit. When he rushes toward the light at the end of the exit ramp and makes a hurried left, the blueprints on his dash all shift to the right and onto my lap.

“Theo!” I shout like I always have at him. I toss the blueprints back on his dash.

“I’ve been on autopilot at this job site lately. The man is driving me fucking insane. We’ll decide on one thing, then he sees something online and wants to change it. I mean, he’s paying for it, but he doesn’t understand that every tweak has consequences.”

I smile at my brother because he may always have a dirty car and probably an equally dirty house, but he is meticulous in his architectural designs.

He stops at a light, taking his hands off the wheel and digging into his center console for something. “So, we’re ignoring the fact that you’re working with JD?”

I blow out a breath. “I’m not discussing it with you.”

“Okay, buzzkill.”

“All right, let’s talk about your women. Who’s in your bed currently, Theo?” I cross my arms and raise my eyebrows at him, waiting.

“You know I don’t kiss and tell.” He pulls out a pack of gum and offers me a piece. I take one.

“Neither do I.”

“So there’s something to tell?” The light turns green, and again, my back slams into the back seat before he turns left.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You implied it.”

“Okay, I’m done talking now, Theo.”

“Jeez, nice big sister you are.”

Thankfully, it’s only two more minutes before he’s pulling down a street, and we stop in front of the school we all attended when we were younger. Toby’s not one for change, so of course he moved into the same district we lived in, only a mile away from our childhood home. Theo parks in the lot.

“You’re coming?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t miss this.”

I scrunch my eyebrows, but whatever. I’m sure all the ladies in the front office will love seeing Theo Douglas again. The class clown who grew up to own an architectural firm with his brother.

I walk fast to the doors while Theo saunters behind me. It’s freezing, and the snow is still coming down slow and steady. When we get in the doors, I shake the flakes out of my hair and off my coat. Theo rings the buzzer to get access through the next set of doors. He waves, and the door unlocks.

“Still sweet-talking the ladies, huh?” I laugh.

“Theo,” Donna coos, standing and rounding the desk. “Toby’s here, and I heard you were coming. Tedi!” She wraps us both in her arms. “How are you?”

We let her hug us, then she steps back.

“Oh, the Douglas kids.” She gives us a soft smile.

This is what happens when you’re the kids whose mom left them. Every staff member gives you extras, whether it’s attention or cookies in the lunch line. They’re doing it to be sweet, but it’s just a constant reminder, honestly.

“You guys look good.” She tugs on Theo’s beard. “Except this. Shave.”

Theo runs his hand down his full dark beard. “The ladies love it, Donna.”

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