Page 26 of Mike's Assistant

“That’s perfect,” Mike said, interrupting my objection.

He quickly pulled on his wallet and handed her his card. Linda once more hurried away. Mike glanced back at me.

“Jake, I—”

“Jake, can we go swimming?” Sam asked, stopping Mike’s words.

I peered down at my little brother and furrowed my brow. “Swimming?”

Sam nodded and pointed out the window. “Yeah, on the beach like him.”

I turned and looked where he pointed. There was a surfer in the water, enjoying the waves. I looked back at Sam, and Abel had stopped his coloring. He was now focused on my answer. “That man is wearing a special suit. That water is really cold. I know the sun’s shining, and there’s no snow here, but it’s still winter.”

The looks of disappointment were instant, and I hated telling them no, but I couldn’t in good conscience let them go in that water.

“I have a heated pool at my place. You guys can swim there.”

I jerked my attention to Mike. “We could—”

“Absolutely you could. The boys can have fun, and we can continue our conversation,” Mike said.

“Please, Jake,” Abel and Sam cried.

“Please, Jake,” Mike said, joining in and giving a tiny pout. It was the same pout he gave Linda when he asked for the pancakes.

I glared at him. “You don’t play fair,” I whispered.

“All’s fair in love and war,” Mike quipped.

I released a sigh. “I guess I’m outvoted, and we’re going swimming.”

The boys cheered in excitement, and Mike grinned victoriously. I couldn’t help but find him even more endearing. Shit. What the hell was I going to do? How could he want me? I couldn’t fall in love, could I?

Mom, Dad, please help me.

Pool Party

Mike

My gaze kept darting to the rearview mirror. I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Three emotions waged war within me: relief every time I spotted Jake's beat-up sedan; fear that he might change his mind and decide not to follow; and excitement, a palpable thrill at the thought of having him in my home.

I glanced back at the mirror and released another sigh. Still there. Thank fate. Now I just needed to figure out how to get him to fall for me. He was ready to blow me off at the restaurant before the boys… the boys. They were the key.

As soon as Jake told me they were his priority and he had to take care of them, I knew they came as a package deal. Surprisingly, I was okay with that. Even my lion was okay with it. We liked cubs. Often at pride gatherings, I’d roughhouse and play with them. Heck, let’s face it, I was a big kid myself. Not to mention cubs were a lot better company than some adults.

Nervousness hit me as I turned off the main road into my neighborhood. It was a pleasant area, very mid to upper-class, with wide spaces between homes and manicured lawns. It also had plenty of kids and families in the area.

I smiled, picturing the boys playing in the yard, with Jake and me watching from the porch. It was all very suburban—very white picket fence. God, I was a sap, but I wanted it. I wanted this family. I hoped Jake wanted it, too.

I took the last curve, and my home came into view, standing tall and proud among its neighbors. It was a two-story, Mediterranean-style home with stucco white-washed walls and a bright red-tiled roof. Palm trees filled the landscape.

The driveway, made of cobblestone, wound its way up towards a spacious double garage. On either side of the driveway, vast stretches of manicured lawn rolled out, making it look even grander compared to the neighboring homes. There were patches of flowerbeds near the house, and the entrance looked like the entrance to a tropical getaway.

Parking my car, I turned the ignition off and quickly hopped out. Jake had just pulled in behind me. He sat for a moment, still and silent, his eyes wide as they took in the house's grandeur. He blinked a few times, as if adjusting to the unexpected sight before him. Did he like it? Did he think it was too much?

The house was a big place. It sported four bedrooms, a theater room, an office, and a gigantic, open kitchen slash family room. For a single man, it might have seemed excessively large. Hayden had thought I was crazy buying the place, but now, looking at Jake and the boys, it was perfect.

I hurried to the driver’s side door as Jake slowly got out. “Your house is amazing,” he said in a tone of awe.

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