Page 81 of Voice to Raise
“Malik.” I said his name quietly.
“I’m in.” Creed puffed up his chest. “Mama will be thrilled to get rid of me for seven months.”
I wasn’t so certain. Mama Murthi carried on about wanting her son togrow up and move out, but she also gave him every incentive to stay—including home-cooked meals, laundry, and very little hassle.
“My employer.” Reese ran a hand through her hair. “We’ll be past Christmas and New Year, right? We leave on January fourth?”
“Yes, that’s correct.” Pauletta sat a little straighter—as if she could see she was on the verge of winning this battle.
“I have a life in Vancouver.” Malik again pressed his knee against mine.
“We can talk about it later.” I met his gaze as it shot to mine. “Or Moses and I move in here to take care of your place.”
“Our place. I already asked you to move in.”
“Woo-hoo.” Creed put his mug down, rose, and did a weird little happy dance.
“Aw shit.” Reese opened her phone case and produced the twenty-dollar bill she always kept hidden.
Freddie yanked his wallet from his back pocket and handed over a twenty as well with a rather disgruntled look on his face. “Thank God I didn’t agree to the hundred you wanted.” He shot a glare my way. “You couldn’t have waited until the new year?”
Reese sighed. “Or Valentine’s Day?”
“I haven’t moved in yet.” Truthfully, I found this amusing.
“But he asked, right?” Reese regarded me.
I didn’t consider lying. “Yeah, just now. When did you three place the wager?”
“Halloween. His idea.” She gestured to Creed. “I knew I was running a risk, but I honestly thought Malik had more sense.” She winced. “Not about you. This has very little to do with you.”
Malik chuckled. “Oh, I’d say it has everything to do with Spencer. And, for the record, I would’ve asked around Halloween if I could’ve gotten him to agree. He likes to take his time. He eases into things.”
“Greece is a great opportunity.” I held his gaze. “Moses and I will cope in this big place.” I intended to keep to a small portion of the place as my cat having free rein to roam didn’t feel like a good idea.
Slowly, he nodded.
“They have to have a private sit-down. They need to speak to their lawyer.” I aimed my best lawyerly stare at Pauletta.
She grinned. “Wouldn’t have it any other way. We’d appreciate a response before Christmas. Carson will send his private jet on the fourth.”
“Jesus.” Freddie whispered that.
I’d never flown more than business class on a 747. I was impressed. I shouldn’t have been…but I was. I hoped this display of wealth didn’t sway the others.
Reese rose. “I have to get going.” She eyed me. “You’ll set up a meeting with our lawyer? You have my availability.”
Being left to the task didn’t bother me. That she trusted me to organize things was a bit of an honor. She was often the brains of the group. “Of course. Happy to.”
“Right.” She headed out of the room.
“I’ll see her out.” Malik rose.
Freddie gestured for him to sit back down. “Creed and I are just leaving.”
“We are?” Creed’s eyebrows shot up.
“We are.” Freddie smacked his biceps.
