Page 10 of The Love Ambush
Cash shrugs. “Can’t do any harm. Sebastian is miserable.”
“This won’t fix him. When he finds out, I want you to tell him I had nothing to do with it.”
Deacon grins. “Unless he loves it and is deliriously happy, then you want credit for it?”
My brothers aren’t generally idiots, but sometimes their never-ending optimism makes them seem like they are. “If this actually works and Sebastian is actually grateful, I’ll cook dinner for a week for both of you.” It’ll never work, but my brothers love a bet.
So do I.
My brothers nod, intent on what they’re doing.
“And…” I say.
They continue to ignore me.
As the baby of the family, I was ignored too often to love the feeling. “If Sebastian doesn’t find happiness with a new woman, you two will do my laundry for a month, including folding it.”
“Two weeks,” Cash says without looking up.
“Four weeks,” I say. “I don’t have that much laundry.”
“Fine,” Deacon says.
“And get your own computer,” I say. “I need mine.”
“Done,” Deacon says with a final keystroke before he throws his arms in the air in a V. He leans forward and rubs his hands together. “Now, let the matches commence.”
“Great,” I say. “Now, put the app on your phone so you won’t need my computer again.”
I know my brother well enough for the look on his face to make me nervous. “I don’t need the app on my phone, brother. I set up the account with your contact information.”
I drop my arms, hands fisting at my sides. “Why in the hell would you do that?”
“Because it’s your computer,” Deacon says, like the answer is obvious. “Not that I’m going to tell you the password. You just need to review the matches you get via email and forward the most likely candidates to me. I’ll set everything up.”
I run my hands through my hair and grip it hard. “How are you going to do that when it’s my contact information on the account and my computer is with me in Colorado?”
Deacon’s grin gets sharper and more wicked. “That’s not for you to worry about, Levi.”
I should have known Deacon would pull something like this. He always makes sure to cover his ass with any prank he pulls.
Lucky for me, he has no idea just how far my computer skills extend. A secret I’ve been keeping more for moments like this than for any real concern that my brothers will be mad about my side business.
“Whatever. Can you two please leave my room? I have some work I need to get done.”
“What work?” Cash looks up, his interest way too intense. Does he know something? “I thought you finished up all your projects so you can head out-of-town tomorrow.”
“There are a few loose ends I need to tie up.” I make a sweeping motion with my hands. “Go find somewhere else to work.”
“Sebastian takes up all the space in the dining room,” Cash says. “This is the cleanest room in the house and the farthest away from Sebastian and Ryland’s battles.”
“Should we be worried about that?” I ask. As the founding members of our company and the only two with architecture degrees, I have good reason to be concerned about them not getting along.
“It’s fine,” Cash says, expression serious for a change. “They’re just stressed about drumming up business here as the weather cools, and you know they both get grumpy when they don’t have sufficient alone time.”
I trust Cash’s opinion. He’s always got a good bead on the moods and concerns of every member of our family.
“Plus, Mom called this morning to say she and Dad are moving to Catalpa Creek next year,” Deacon says. “They want us to find them land and build them a house.”
