Page 28 of Mike's Assistant

I quickly folded the shorts, tucked them under my arm, and then hurried to my room. I threw the shorts on my bed and whipped off my shirt before sliding down my jeans and underwear in one go. Naked, I turned to my dresser and pulled my bathing suit on. Not bothering with another shirt, I grabbed the spare trunks and headed back to the sliding doors.

I laughed, spotting the boys already splashing wildly and attempting to drag Jake in along with them. Jake laughed and fended off their little hands, jumping out of the range of the splashes.

I slid open the door and stepped out to the cacophony of laughs. I strolled over to them and smiled. “They couldn’t wait, huh?”

Jake lifted his head and looked back at me. His eyes locked on my bare chest, and red spread over his cheeks. I internally fist-pumped, knowing I had that effect on him.

He cleared his throat. “Y-yeah. They loved going to the Y back home.”

Handing him the shorts, our fingers brushed briefly, sending an unexpected jolt through me.

"Here you go. They should fit just right," I said, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in my chest.

“Thanks, where’s—”

“Anyone home?”

I spun around in surprise. “Vanessa? What are you doing here?”

“I came to check… Jake. You’re here.” Vanessa ran up to Jake and grabbed his arms. “Did Mike get things sorted with you? I came over to make a game plan. You need to know there’s nothing is going on between Mike and me.”

Jake’s face reddened at her words, and he looked down shyly. “He told me,” he whispered.

“Vanessa,” I said, disentangling Jake from her grasp. “Everything’s fine. You didn’t need to come here.”

“I needed to help you clear up this misunderstanding,” she replied.

“Jake. Jake, watch me!” Sam yelled, causing all of us to turn and watch as he ran and did a cannonball into the pool.

I grinned at his exuberance, and Abel cheered by the steps.

“That was amazing!” Jake called as Sam surfaced.

“Are you coming swimming, Jake?” Abel asked.

“In a few minutes, buddy.” Jake turned back to me. “Where’s—”

“Who are these cuties?” Venessa asked, cutting Jake off.

“My brothers, Sam and Abel. Sam is the older one that did the cannonball, and Abel is the younger by the steps,” Jake replied, then focused on me. “Where’s the restroom? I better go change before they throw me in like this.”

Vanessa’s eyes brightened the way they always did when she was going to stir the pot. She placed her hand on my shoulder. “Mike can show you. I’ll watch the boys.” She released my shoulder, not waiting for a reply. “I love pool parties,” she giggled.

“I don’t know about this,” Jake said, but Vanessa waved him off. She had already kicked off her shoes, rolled up her pants, and sat on the edge of the pool, chatting with Sam and Abel.

“I—”

“That’s Vanessa for you. She loves playing with kiddos and playing matchmaker,” I said quietly.

“Matchmaker?”

“She knows I like you,” I said confidently.

Jake shook his head. “You really don’t play fair. Now you have allies helping you out.”

“Everyone needs a good wingman,” I quipped, and Jake laughed. “Come on, let’s get you changed.”

I placed my hand on the small of Jake’s back and guided him through the sliding doors again. Jake studied the room once more as we walked down the small hall.

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