Page 268 of The Maxwell Brothers
“I know, right?”
“Did anything more happen besides that kiss? You left me high and dry today. Don’t think I’ll forget that.”
“No. I mean, he showed up with coffee this morning.”
“Liz. That’snotnothing.”
I chuckled, leaning against my kitchen counter.
“He said he’ll find a way to take me out even though I’m always working.”
“He sounds great. Thoughtful.”
I bit my lip. “He does. It’s just that… I really am not in the right frame of mind to date. Besides, he's my landlord. Things could get ugly, and I love this place. I’d hate to leave it if things between us went sideways."
"Somehow, I don't think that's the reason," my sister replied. “Have you been out with anyone since your surgery?"
I fidgeted before answering, "You would know if I had."
I hadn’t had any desire to do so, but I was also ashamed to admit that I was horribly self-conscious of my scar. I wasn’t sure if it was because Dexter’s reaction had affected me deeper than I thought or because it was still extremely visible. It had healedquite a bit but was still pink and white, and it stretched in a jagged line over my navel.
"Thought so. Whatever you decide, I approve."
I smiled. I loved my sister to bits.
"I want the best for you," she continued.
"Good, then let me get in the shower. I’m soaking wet from the rain."
"Yes, ma'am."
The second the call disconnected, I got an idea. I held the package next to my shoulder, taking a selfie and sending it to Declan.
Liz: I got home to this. Thank you so much.
He replied a second later.
Declan: You’re going to be the death of me.
My mouth formed an O.What does he mean?I scrolled back, looked closely at the picture, and gasped.
My shirt was soaked. It was completely see-through, and I’d taken off my bra after my shift. My boobs were on full display.
Way to go, Liz.Totallynotthe actions of a woman who claims she doesn’t want to jump in bed with her landlord.
CHAPTER 11
DECLAN
"Thanks for doing this," Luke told me and Sam when we arrived. We’d come with Luke’s car. Travis recently bought a helicopter, but he was actually using it today, so he couldn’t lend it to us. The property was two hours away from Chicago. Luke had bought it a couple years ago, and I remembered being surprised when he did. He usually stayed within city limits. He hadn’t done anything with it, and now he wanted to lease it to a couple who planned to use it as a vegetable farm. He’d asked me to come with him to meet the couple as well as go over the lease, and Sam decided to tag along since he was in town a few more days.
“Why did you buy this at all? And why are you leasing it?” Sam asked.
Luke shrugged, but by his body language, I could tell there was a story behind it. When it came to business, he didn’t decide based on gut instincts.
“I want your opinions on the couple, if they seem trustworthy to you and so on. And my lawyers already vetted the contract, but I want your opinion on that too.”
“Sure,” I said. Sam nodded.
