Page 52 of Average Joe

I downed my last sip of coffee and gave her my practiced smile, the cheesy grin she’d never been able to resist. “Can you please do some research? Let me know what’s involved. Risks?”

“Tell you what.” She stalked closer, clearly immune to my charm, judging by the tight pull of her lips and the weight of her glare. “I’ll pull some numbers, but you”—the little shit stabbed my chest with a shiny red nail—“do the research. Do you even know how to make coffee?”

“Seattle is home to one of the best barista schools in the country.” I slid the file folder to the end of the table. “I’ve got nothing but time. I need your brilliant business brain. Let me know if this is an insane idea.”

She studied me long and hard, her heel tapping a slow rhythm on the linoleum before she tucked the folder into her leather bag and slung it over her shoulder. “I’ll dig in tonight. But know that I’ll be brutally honest.”

“Thanks, kid.” I stood and pulled her into a bear hug. “I’d expect nothing less.”

“Enough with the kid crap. I’m only two years younger than you assholes.”

Bridget was not my sister by blood, but I treated her as my own. Between Frank, Connor, and I, the poor girl never had a moment’s peace or a chance at teen romance. We’d even prearranged her prom date with a thoroughly vetted and discreetly threatened member of the chess club.

“But you’ll always be my kid sister, Bridge.” I swayed, rolling her side to side, her cheek smashed against my chest, her arms pinned at her sides. “Just let me have this. I’ve missed you.”

The doorbell chimed. Bridge wiggled free and laid a palm on my heart. “You want my honest opinion? That waste management job has great benefits. The pay is not awesome to start, but it’s enough for you to be comfortable. And it’s secure. Low turnover rate. High employee satisfaction ratings. The fact that they’re willing to hire you, given the circumstances, says a lot. Running your own business, that’s not easy. And there are risks.”

“And you’ll list every single one of them for me.” I kissed her cheek and turned her toward the door, urging her forward. “And I’ll buy you a fancy-ass dinner as a thank you.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Abang, bang, bangcame from the door. Through the gap in the curtain, I was pleased to see Marley until I noticed Ginger in her arms. Shit.

“Oh, who’s the lovely lady?” Bridget asked, a sly grin gracing her face.

“My neighbor.”

“She’s pretty.” She reached for the door handle before I could get there and tore open the door. “Hi!” she said to Marley, then turned and planted a kiss on my cheek. “See you later, Joseph.” She skirted past Marley, flitted down the porch steps, and sashayed toward her car.

“Hey.” I met a set of angry peepers.

Marley held Ginger in outstretched arms, the poor little mutt’s bottom legs dangling, and said, “She dug a new hole under the fence. Found her on my back deck with a dead rat in her mouth.”

She was pissed, and curse my sadistic heart, I liked her fire, but Ilovedbeing the asshole who stoked those flames. “Sounds to me like you have a rodent problem.”

Shoving the pup against my chest, she growled, “Keep her out of my yard.”

I kissed my little fleabag on her scruffy head and teased, “Ginger is only trying to help.”

That heated gaze bounced from Ginger to my lips and back and forth before she blinked and found my eyes. “I want that hole filled today,” she ordered, clueless to the images she conjured every time she said she wanted her holes filled.

“I’ll fill your hole.” I laughed—couldn’t help myself. “Or maybe we should cut a little door in the fence. You know, in case more rats breach the perimeter. She’s a great guard dog. I don’t mind sharing.”

“Keep your ugly mutt out of my yard,Joseph.” My name escaped her lips, growly and snide.

Huh. The woman was jealous. Good to know.

I covered Ginger’s ears, expelling an exaggerated gasp. “This mutt is beautiful. And she’s sensitive. Watch how you talk about my girl.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Marley threw her hands in the air, her head falling back on her shoulders.

I took the opportunity to drink her in, that tight tank top that barely covered her stomach, the swell of her breasts, the way the leggings hugged her killer legs.My cock was rock hard, and I didn’t give two shits if she noticed. That beauty could ogle and drool all she wanted.

“Should I come fill your hole now? Or maybe we could have a drink first. You seem a little uptight.”

Her glare dropped from my eyes to my crotch, and oh yes, that blush made me proud. My cock was magnificent; she’d said so herself more than once.

No surprise, Marley didn’t take advantage of my impressive boner. Much to my disappointment, she stormed away, a torrent of emotions stirring the air behind her.

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