Page 34 of Theirs

Chapter 11

Sunlight streams in through the shear curtains in one of the eight guest bedrooms in Colin’s house. It was late when I finally got settled in, he told me I was welcome to stay with him or Ben in one of their rooms, but he wanted me to know I could also have my own space.

I chose to sleep alone.

Too much had happened over the weekend, I needed time to think and I couldn’t do it while being in either of the men’s beds. I climb out of bed, stretch, and grab a change of clothes from my duffle bag, quickly getting ready for the day, giving Mr. Snuffy a belly rub before leaving the room. When I walk down the hall, the house is super quiet, aside from some soft music coming from the kitchen. I follow it, wondering if Colin or Ben took off work for the day, but I can’t expect them to put their lives on hold to help me and my hot mess express.

There’s a woman at the stove in the kitchen, cooking something, and I clear my throat in an effort not to startle her.

She turns around and gives me a sweet smile. “You must be Miss. Sullivan,” she says, wiping her hands on a towel and reaching out to shake mine. “I’m Gwen. Mr. Gatsby and Mr. Donaghue’s housekeeper and cook. Mr. Gatsby raved about our new house guest, but he didn’t mention just how pretty you are!”

“Um, thank you,” I say, tying my hair up into a ponytail with the hair band around my wrist. “It’s nice to meet you. Have they both left for work?”

“Oh, yes,” she says, turning back to the omelet on the stove. “They left about two hours earlier than normal. Wanted to get the day started so they could be home on time for dinner with you.”

My heart flies. “That’s nice of them.”

She smiles brightly. “I’m almost finished with your breakfast. You’re welcome to explore the over twenty acres of estate afterwards, we’ve got a golf cart path and some hiking trails, there’s a pool out back if you would like to lounge or swim. Mr. Gatsby also left you the keys to one of the cars in the garage if you have any errands to run. And we’ve made one of the rooms into a kitty palace for Mr. Snuffy. I just freshened up his litter, and topped off his food and water for you.”

“You didn’t have to do that! Colin sure knows how to go overboard, doesn’t he?” I ask her as she plates the omelet.

“He doesn’t do anything small, that’s for sure,” she says, sitting the omelet on the island for me with some silverware. “If there’s anything else you need, just page me on the intercom system, there’s one in every room. There are pool towels in the cabinet just outside if you go for a swim. I’ve gotta go get to work.”

“Thank you, Gwen,” I say, cutting into the southwestern style omelet.

After finishing the most amazing breakfast I’ve ever had, I put my plate and utensils into the dishwasher. Even though I know Gwen would clean up after me, I don’t want her to have to. I’m no stranger to housekeepers, butlers, private chefs, and personal drivers. My parents always despised the friendships I created with ‘the help.’ Other than Kane, they were the friends that were around, they were around more than my own parents, they even went on vacation with us to take care of Kane and me.

I spend the rest of my morning exploring the house, not seeing Gwen again until lunch time. She puts together a fruit smoothie and snack board for me to enjoy by the pool. I wasn’t planning on going for a swim, but I feel bad she went through so much to make my lunch that I change into my swimsuit anyway.

When I grab my phone off my nightstand, I notice a stream of conversation in a group chat that I’ve been added into. It’s with the four guys and they’re trying to coordinate our next hangout. Colin has invited the guys over for dinner and drinks Wednesday. I send a smiley face emoji, just so they all know I’ve received the memo. Mr. Snuffy hops up on the bed, and bumps my hand a few times, begging for attention. It seems like he’s settled into this life pretty well, making himself comfortable on any surface in the house, rubbing his scent up against everything, and getting some of Gwen’s attention.

My phone flashes with a facetime from MacKenna a few seconds later.

“Hi,” I say, swiping the answer and holding the phone out so Mac can see me from the chest up.

“Purple is definitely your color,” Mac says, spotting my plum bikini top that is dramatically darker than my hair color. “You enjoying Colin and Ben’s place? Everything going okay?”

I nod my head. “Everything’s fine. Colin gave me my own room, which is bigger than my entire apartment. I was just heading out to the pool, Gwen made me some lunch. Mr. Snuffy enjoyed the extra running space last night.”

He smiles at me, I see him slowly spinning in his office chair, he’s calling on his lunch break. “Good, Gwen is an amazing woman. I tried to steal her from Colin once, offered her ten times what he was paying her, but she’s loyal to him. She’s been with Colin’s family since he was a baby.”

“That’s freaking adorable,” I comment with a smile. “I’ll have to get her to give me all the details of what he was like growing up.”

“I’m sure she’s got some baby pictures around, and some fun stories.”

“I’m sure,” I agree. “I’m excited for you guys to come over Wednesday.”

His face brightens. “I’m excited to see you too, Teagan. My people should be finishing up at your apartment right now. They’ll deliver your stuff right before dinner, and if you want them to unpack, they will.”

“I can manage unpacking,” I tell him. “Thank you for helping me Shane.”

“Of course,” he says, and glances at his watch for the time. “I’ve gotta get back to work. You should send the guys a picture of you enjoying the pool. I’m sure it’ll make all of us workaholics jealous.”

“Are you asking for pictures?” I ask, scoffing.

He gives me that stern dom gaze that always comes out when I’m acting like a brat. His voice almost a whisper. “Maybe I’m telling you.”

I bite my bottom lip. “Yes, Sir.”

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