Hot Property (Hot Zone 4)

“Amy, you’ve got the best of both of us—my crazy side and your father’s sensibility. He adored you and thought you could do no wrong, no matter what you did with your life.” Then she chuckled. “Although I must say, it’s a good thing those pictures aren’t really of you. That I don’t think he could have handled.”

Amy glanced at her mother and her heart was filled with gratitude.

As she looked at the mother she’d always loved and the aunt who’d always been there for her, too, Amy came to yet another epiphany. It wasn’t so bad to be like the two women sitting here.

She was glad her mother said her father would have approved of her choices. But in reality she’d already come to the conclusion, as she sat here with her mother and aunt, that it didn’t matter as long as she herself approved of her choices.

In moderation, what was wrong with having fun? Unlike her relatives, Amy knew where and when to behave. So she’d made love with Roper in front of a set of windows—in a locked room facing a wintry landscape where it had been very unlikely they’d have been caught.

And if they’d been photographed? Could it be any worse than the doctored pictures on the Internet now? Amy shook her head and laughed, feeling lighter than she had in ages. She wrapped her hands around her knees, rocked back and forth and thought of all the ways she’d tried to run from Roper. All the excuses she’d made.

And that’s what they were.

Excuses.

After being fired from her first job, she’d retreated home to lick her wounds—and she’d stayed there. It had been easy and fun and she never had had to worry about what people would think. Her job at the retirement community, by definition, allowed for the eccentric behavior of those around her.

Her move to New York had been more overwhelming than she’d expected, and she’d been running from her fear—fear of not being able to make it here—without knowing it. Not until Roper had pointed it out today. And even then, she’d refused to admit he was right.

“What’s so funny?” her mother asked. “First you weren’t happy we’re here and now you’re laughing.”

“I think I’m just realizing what a fool I’ve been.” About so many things.

“So is it good we’re here? Or not so good we’re here?” Aunt Darla asked.

Amy bit down on the inside of her cheek. “It’s good you’re here now…”

“But?” her mother asked.

“But next time can we schedule a visit so I can take some legitimate time off?” And give her time to plan some activities that would keep them busy and out of trouble.

“We can do that,” her mother said, nodding.

“And as far as tonight’s guest goes, I need you two to promise you’ll stay in the background and let me do the talking. Do you understand?”

They both nodded.

“Good.”

Between this afternoon and right this minute, Amy had come to some major conclusions about her behavior and her life. Both needed to change.

And Buckley was giving her a chance to do it publicly.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ROPER DIDN’T THINK HIS DAY could get any worse. After leaving Amy for what seemed like the last time, he worked out, checked in with his coaches and headed home. He’d taken one look at the houseguests who’d just returned from their tour of the city and he knew he had to send them to be with Amy. She needed them—either for their moral support or to face her frustration with them and send them home. Regardless, it wasn’t his problem. Unfortunately, he still cared enough to want her to have her family around her if she needed them.

An hour later, his doorbell rang and he found himself face-to-face with the last person he expected to see—his brother. As much as he wasn’t in the mood for company, he hadn’t seen Ben in a while.

“What’s up?” Roper asked.

“Can we talk? And before you slam the door in my face, I’m not here to ask you for money, a job or anything else,” his brother said, red-faced.

Curious now, Roper swung the door wide and gestured inside. “Come on in. Can I get you a beer?”

“Why not.”

A few minutes later, they were settled in his living room with the TV blaring eSports Network behind them. “So what’s up?” Roper asked.