Page 12 of The Stud Next Door (Frisky Business 3)
“Scarlett!”
Maren swats her arm while Penelope buries her face in her hands.
“What?” Scarlett says with an innocent look on her face. “True story. Anyway, now they’re all coupled up, and it’s mostly fine, except that Wolfie is Maren’s brother and Penelope is Connor’s baby sister. And, of course, all of these men co-own one of the most successful sex-toy shops in the city. No wonder they’re so goddamn horny.” She chuckles at her own joke.
I nod along slowly, trying not to let my eyes pop out of my head. Guess I’m not the only one who was a little more than interested in how unusual Connor’s company was.
And I have to say, I’m more relieved than ever to have found this group of women. I was beginning to think that the situation I was in was too complicated for anyone else to understand. But complicated is what these girls know best. Maybe they can help me navigate the waters with Connor without me losing my head.
Scarlett continues, a sly smile curling on her lips. “And that brings us to you, Jessa. The new girl on the scene, and Connor’s cute new nanny. What brings you to our neck of the woods?”
My heart leaps at the thought of being paired with Connor, even if it’s only as his nanny. I’ve only known Scarlett for forty-eight hours, but I’ve been around her enough to know exactly what she’s implying. Still, I breeze past the suggestive description and focus on introducing myself to my new friends. It’ll be a long summer without some female companionship.
“I just needed a place to stay for the summer,” I say with a shrug, “and the couple who live next to Connor was renting out the top floor. And then when I was moving in, Connor happened to have a crying baby, I happen to be one of six kids, and Hayes suggested I become Marley’s nanny. It all just kind of . . . happened.”
“Talk about good luck,” Maren says whimsically.
“Or fate,” Scarlett adds with a dip of her chin.
“Why just the summer?” Penelope asks.
I swirl the ruby-colored wine in my glass. “I’m leaving for a mission trip to Central America in August. I’ll be gone for six months, and my lease was up in May.”
I watch their eyes widen as I explain what I’ll be doing and where I’ll be going. I’ve almost gotten used to the half-awed, half-horror-stricken look people give me when I tell them. Yes, I’ll be living in a third-world country, and no, this kind of work isn’t for everyone. But it’s also hard to come right out and tell someone that you think they’re crazy for doing it.
Maren reaches across the table to give my hand a light squeeze. “That sounds amazing.”
“Six months is a long time to be away,” Penelope says. “Are you worried about getting homesick?”
I tilt my head, considering her question. “Yes and no. I’m excited about the opportunity and all the work we’ll be doing. I know it’ll be hard to be gone for so long, but it also helps to know it’s not forever.”
“You’re an angel among heathens, that’s for sure,” Scarlett says.
“Speak for yourself,” Maren mutters.
“Baby Marley will miss you,” Penelope says kindly. “And Connor will too. He’s going to have his hands full without you.”
Scarlett scowls. “It’s not like she’s the baby’s mother. She’s only a nanny, and she’s free to do whatever she wants. Connor can find someone to replace her.”
“I just meant that I’m sure Jessa will be very helpful to them,” Penelope says meekly.
“I’m sure Connor will enjoy the process of searching for her replacement,” Scarlett says with a suggestive waggle of her eyebrows.
Maren giggles, and Penelope cracks a sheepish smile.
“What does that mean?” I ask, trying to keep my tone as light and casual as possible—the exact opposite of how I’m feeling.
I’m dying for any shred of information about Connor, something beyond the tiny hints and sparks that have flared up between us. I have to know what his deal is. And even more than that, I have to know if he’s into me. A hungry little ball of need forms deep in my belly every time I lay eyes on him, and something tells me it’s not going away anytime soon.
Scarlett grins. “Penelope? Would you like to give our new friend a little history lesson on your brother?”
Penelope’s small smile spreads into a smirk. “I thought we were having a girls’ night, not a let’s-talk-about-my-brother night,” she says innocently.
“I just want to know a little bit more about the man I’m working for, that’s all. He’s not a serial killer or anything, right?” I ask, keeping my voice as deadpan as possible.
That gets a good laugh out of the group.
Penelope smiles, a slight wine flush on her cheeks. “Nah, Connor’s a sweet guy, especially since Marley arrived. She’s really changed him.”
