Boyfriend for Hire (39 page)

“And work?”

“I’m on my way to Simon’s office now. Wish me luck.” She practically bounced down the hall to her supervisor’s office. Denise gave him the rundown of the offer, reminded him of her accrued leave and a few minutes later had his reassurance that it shouldn’t be a problem.

Brody smiled as he listened to his mom rant about his lifestyle. It was an old argument, one he heard at least once a week and one he knew was delivered out of love and not disappointment.

“Mom, I’m fine—”

“Brody Andrew Nichols, wipe that smile off your face and stop mollifying me. You need a life. Working sixty plus hours a week, an occasional barbeque with the boys or a quick game of lacrosse before you return to your office isn’t living.”

“How do you know I’m smiling?”

“I’m your mom. I know all.”

“Really? What are the winning Lotto numbers?”

“Don’t sass me, young man.”

“Mom, you do know I’m thirty-two, right?” By the silence on the other end, he knew he had pushed her buttons. “Okay, then I’ll ask you an easy one. What’s the secret to a good life?”

“Unconditional love. Which, at the rate you’re going, you’ll never know.”

His smiled deepened. She’d hit part one on the head, but was so wrong on the second half. “Then I have a great life, because I have you and you’ve loved me unconditionally even when others didn’t.”

“That’s not enough. Someday I won’t be around and then who will you have? Jason and Dave will always be there for you, but they’re starting families of their own. Being alone is a lonely, sad way to live. It’s not really living, it’s existing and don’t tell me you date, because you don’t. Not really. You may go out once in a while, but when was the last time you went on a second date or a third date? You need to get over Denise, honey. I know she was the love of your life, but that was five years ago. Or forget what happened and ask her for another chance.”

He didn’t want to talk about his ex-fiancée, not now, not ever, not with his mom or even his buds. “Who?” Hoping she’d get the hint. “I’m fine, Mom. When the time is right, I’ll find someone. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Yes, I do. It’s in my job description. It doesn’t matter how tall you are, how old you are, you’ll always be my baby and I love you.” He heard the love and concern in her voice and hated that he’d put the latter there.

“I know. How about I take my favorite girl to dinner on Sunday? Let me show you my appreciation and that I don’t work too much.” He’d already made the reservation. His dad had never done anything special for Valentine’s Day unless you counted not using his mom as a punching bag that one day of the year, and it had been years since Brody had felt strongly enough about any woman he’d dated to spend the stupid holiday with.

“Can’t. That’s why I called.” His mother hesitated. “I already have a date.”

As a lawyer he’d had very few things render him speechless. This news was in the top ten category.

“Since when do you date, Mom?”

“Since a nice man asked me.”

“Who is it? Where did you meet him? What does he do?” He’d have a friend run the guy’s background. No way would he let his mom get hurt again. She was too trusting. Too tenderhearted, always looking for the good in people, and it had nearly cost her her life.

“Baby, it’s just dinner.” After several long seconds of silence from Brody she went on. “His name is Kevin Stewart. He’s widowed, two grown kids, originally from Chicago, and is a chiropractor. We met when he attended my cooking classes at the community center.”

“How’d the wife die?” Brody scribbled the man’s info on a notepad.

A deep sigh met his question. “Really, Brody.”

“Fine. Rain check, but I’m calling you at nine.” He hung up and stared at the note. He was happy for his mom. She’d spent way too many years with the bastard known as his father, then several more learning to be her own person again. If anyone deserved to find love—and he’d never believed his old man had loved either of them—it was his mom. And well, his two best friends. It seemed like in the last year everyone Brody knew had been given a second chance. Except him. Not that he wanted the complication of a love life, or cared.

His office door clicked open and his secretary, Angie, walked in with a stack of mail. “Did your mom tell you her new beau is taking her to the White House Tavern over in Newport Sunday? They want to see if the place is haunted like the rumors say.”

He took the bundle and set it on his desk, ignoring it. “Nope, we didn’t get that far.”

She cocked her hip and rested her hand. Great, he knew that pose and look. Time for round two of his weekly lecture.

“Probably because you were giving her a hard time and don’t try to deny it. And she’s right you know. Uh-huh. If you found a nice girl to settle down with, you wouldn’t work so much.”

“Were you listening in, Angie? You know you could have just pulled up a chair, it would have been easier.”

“Don’t get fresh with me. There’s not another administrative assistant in the state who’d put up with your moodiness, and you know it. Beside, we had a little chat before I transferred her call. She’s very excited about her date.”

“It’s Valentine’s Day. No one should be alone.” He thumbed through the correspondence, separating them into piles of priority.

“Including you, Brody.”

“What are you saying, Angie? Are you finally ready to ditch your husband for me? Thirty years, that’s a long time to be with one person. We can sail around the world and see the seven wonders. Just say the word.” His secretary, who was around his mother’s age and more like a second mom to him than an assistant on most days, turned several shades of red as she smacked him on the arm with her tablet.

“You’re going to have to wait a bit longer. His insurance doesn’t pay out the big bucks for a few more years. Until then, don’t forget to call Mr. Padgett back about the case. He has some questions for you.” She stopped as she headed toward the door. “Oh, almost forgot. You’ve got a new client showing up at six. I’m leaving now to prepare for my trip to Boston with the hubby. So don’t forget to listen for the door. Name is Sanders, but didn’t want to discuss any details other than to say it was a consult.”

“Thanks, Ang. Have a good time.”

He knew she would too, for Angie was the type that never let life get her down, always found the positive side of everything and was still madly in love with her husband after all these years. It probably didn’t hurt that her husband worshiped her, treating her like a queen. Maybe this Kevin guy would be the one for his mom, the man to see the wonderful, loving woman who’d raised him, defended him and made sure he and his two buddies stayed out of trouble. His mom was the sweetest woman he knew and the fear of bringing any more pain to her life kept him on the straight and narrow growing up. Not that it stopped him from a few scrapes here and there.

Kind of hard to avoid with a friend like Dave.

Not that Brody or Jase were angels. Not by a long shot, but at least the two of them knew when to keep their mouths shut.

Brody pulled up his e-mail and shot off a note to another friend who worked at the Bureau, and could run a quick check on one Kevin Stewart for him. Trust in his mom’s judgment had nothing to do with it. Some people were too important to take risks with. He’d do anything to keep his mom safe and happy.

The outer office door clicked shut and heavy footsteps made their way to his office door. Must be his new client, Brody thought. He stood to meet them at the door when a familiar laugh had him dropping back in his seat. He sat back and waited.

“See, I told you he’d still be working.” Dave “Fubar” Farber walked through the door first and plopped into the visitor chair across from him.

“And as usual, you’re not,” Brody fired back. He turned to his other best friend, Jason “Cupid” Valentine. “What brings you two by?”

“Yeah, well I bet when we deposit the final payment on the job we just completed you won’t be complaining, Bro.” Dave propped his foot up on the edge of the desk and dared Brody to complain.

Instead Brody ignored him. “You finished the Downing job early?” He asked of Jason.

“What can I say? The stars were in alignment and Mr. and Mrs. Downing are very satisfied with their new kitchen and master suite, which means Monday we can contact Dr. Cherko and see if he wouldn’t mind us starting early on his expansion.” Jason sat on the edge of the low-rise bookcase next to the desk.

“You should take a long weekend and celebrate with your ladies.” Brody glanced at his wristwatch, noting his new client was late.

“School,” Jason said.

“Work,” David added.

“Just as well, business has really picked up in the last six months. Looks like the work on the rec center paid off. You two ready to buy me out yet?” Absently he checked the time again. Ten after. The consult probably blew him off.

“Never,” both guys responded in unison.

“Cherry wants you to come over Sunday for a barbeque to celebrate finishing the job.” Jason tapped his fingers in a steady rhythm against his legs as he watched out the window.

“Are you sure you deserve the nickname Cupid? You know Sunday is Valentine’s Day, right? Plus, it’s the middle of winter in New England. Your grill is three feet deep in snow.” Brody shook his head in disbelief.

“Of course I know what day it is. The women have something planned. A surprise. And it includes you,” Jason said.

“Don’t look at me. You’re the last person I want to spend the evening with,” Dave groused.

Brody had a feeling he knew what the women were up to—a setup with one of their friends. Nice gesture. Not happening. “Tell them thanks, but I’ve got other plans.”

“Breaking out the blow-up girlfriend again?” Dave blew him a kiss, smirking because he knew the desk kept Brody from pounding him. He’d always been like that.

Brody flipped his friend off and told him what he could do with his suggestion.

“I know you’re not taking your mom out. She’s got a real date.”

“How do you know about it already?” Brody asked.

“Stopped by earlier to wish her a happy Valentine’s and give her flowers and chocolate.” Jason continued drumming his fingers against his thigh. A sure sign something was on his mind that bothered him.

“You always were a suck up, Cupid.”

“And you used to have a sense of humor. Want to tell us what really happened at my wedding? Because you’ve been a prick ever since.”

“Nothing happened. Nothing important.” Brody turned back to his computer, pulled up a client file and glared at the screen. No way would either drop the subject, but they could tough it out. He wasn’t talking.

“Told you.” Dave jumped up out of the chair and headed for the door.

Jason didn’t move for several long seconds. When he pushed away from the bookcase he had an annoying half-grin, like he knew Brody’s secret.

“You hear that, Fubar?” Jason called after Dave. “Nothing important has knocked the mighty Brody Nichols off his game.” Jason stopped long enough to get Brody’s attention. “Lacrosse, tomorrow at noon. Prepare to have your ass handed to you.”

Brody ignored the two of them as they left. He had more imperative things to focus on like work. He also knew if he felt like talking about his feelings—which he didn’t—the guys would be there for him. Shoving unwanted thoughts and memories away, he picked up the phone to call his client back and let him know the defendant settled out of court. At least Padgett and his wife would have a good weekend. The outside door opened again. Figuring the guys had forgotten to razz him about something, he held off hitting the last number.

“Go away. I’m working,” he called out.

“Is that how you greet all of your appointments?”

His head jerked up, the receiver dropped back to the base and for the second time that day, Brody Nichols had the surprise of his life. He looked at the woman standing in the open door way and his gaze dropped to her stomach.

“Are you pregnant?” he asked.

Don’t miss the first book in the West Side Romance series!

This sparkling romance dives right in to everything funny, flirty, and
fiery about modern dating with the tale of a sexy singles auction
that comes with the prize of a lifetime . . .

As far as Cherry Ryan is concerned, the bright lights of Hollywood are nothing but glare after her heart is broken on a reality show for millions to see. Instead she’s throwing herself into fundraising for the local community center that was a priceless lifeline to her as a kid. But when a volunteer for the singles auction bails at the last minute, Cherry finds herself on the block—and sold to Jason Valentine, a handsome contractor with a gorgeous body—and a really bad attitude about her days in the limelight . . .

Cherry soon finds that Jason’s more than eye candy, and not entirely sweet—especially his quest to win the bid for the center’s renovation. Mixing business with pleasure doesn’t seem like such a good idea—until Jason has a chance to reveal the big heart beneath his surly exterior. Cherry’s falling for him hard, but trust isn’t easy when you’ve been burned. To conquer her fears will take a giant leap of faith—straight into the spotlight again . . .