Page 7 of Liar For Hire (For Hire 1)

He made a noncommittal sound.

“Don’t look like that. You don’t want kids or a wife. I get it, and I’m not looking down on you for it. Family isn’t for everyone. You’ve been on your own forever, and maybe you like it. You don’t know how it is to have a family supporting you, surrounding you. All I’ve ever dreamed about is having a family of my own, and it’s killing me to find myself in this place in my life still alone.”

He heard emotion in her voice, and she stopped speaking. A small tug brought her to his side, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She didn’t fight him but settled in close. Her scent filled his nostrils, and he listened to the sound of her unsteady breaths.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to get all worked up.” She sniffed. “Just trying to help you to understand.”

He understood far more than she could imagine. Family? Bonds? It clung to his DNA, although he wouldn’t admit it. When they met, he spun a story about himself saying he came from a small family, being an only child, and that his parents were gone. He’d said there was no one left, but the story was only partially true.

“I can’t get involved with you, Declan. Not just for something physical. That’s not me, and I know myself well enough to get that. My emotions would get into the mix and mess up our friendship and our business.”

“You’re rejecting me.” He infused his tone with hurt. “I’ll eventually recover.”

She leaned up and smacked his chest. “You’re ridiculous. Okay, get out of my office so I can work. I have fifty emails I haven’t even opened yet. You can go nap in your own office like usual.”

“Cruel, Nessa.”

“Whatever.” She strolled over to her desk, and he watched her hips swing with a sigh. As he headed toward the door, she called out to him. “Oh, and don’t set your sights on Monica. She has the hots for you.”

“Yes, boss.”

She grumbled as he let himself out of her office chuckling.

Chapter 3

Janessa dug fingers into her hair while checking herself out in the mirror. She needed a touchup, but she hated going to the salon. What should have been no more than an hour and a half at best dragged on for close to four. Her stylist liked to pack them in to make more money. God, sometimes Janessa felt dizzy with all the musical chairs that went on at that place.

“But if I want a date to look at me twice, I better do it.”

Another date had gone wrong, but honestly she didn’t feel all that bad about it. The only man she was truly interested in wasn’t right for her, but she kept hoping she would meet someone new who would replace the feelings she harbored for Declan.

Her cell phone dinged, and she checked the screen.

“Laundry,” he typed. “On the way up.”

She rolled her eyes. “What if I’m with someone and we don’t want to be disturbed?”

“Are you?”

He was impossible.

“Yes,” she lied.

The doorbell rang, and she couldn’t help the snort of laughter. That jerk didn’t give a crap if she was busy or not. He didn’t even call before he came over. Of course, they always did laundry together.

“Jeez, we’re like a married couple without any benefits.” She stomped out of her room to answer the door. Rather than greet his inconsiderate behind, she flung the door wide and left him standing there, calling over her shoulder. “You could have called on the off chance I was with someone.”

“Hey, at least I didn’t use my key. I was being considerate.”

She stopped to glare at him, and he held his hands up in defense.

“Okay, how about I wash all the clothes? You can go back to…um…entertaining ghost boy.”

“Declan.”

“Sorry. Ghost Man.”

She burst out laughing. When her stomach started to hurt, she pulled herself together. “If our business goes bust, how about a duo at the local comedy club?”

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