“They just finished. Then came straight back here to play some more football.” Mia smiled softly as she watched her boys play. “If I ever get pregnant, I’m praying for a girl. There’s way too much testosterone in this house.”
“If you need any pointers on being the only girl in a houseful of boys, I’m your woman.” Becca shot her a sympathetic look.
“I don’t know how you did it. Four older brothers.” Mia’s eyes widened. “And all of them so…”
“Alpha?” Becca grimaced.
Mia laughed. “I was going to say forceful. But alpha works. Anyway, enough about our families, I want to know all about our new boss. What’s he like?”
Mia and her two sons – Michael and Josh – had moved to Hartson’s Creek the previous year. She was the marketing manager at the G. Scott Carter distillery, and had quickly become one of Becca’s closest friends.
“It’s hard to say,” Becca said honestly. “He kept to himself all night.” And she had to admit, she wasn’t in any hurry to talk to him while the music was pumping and he was leaning on the bar next to Nathan. “He’s kind of aloof. Not like Nathan at all. You know how Nathan’s always laughing and cracking jokes? I’m not sure I saw Daniel smile once.”
Not that she was looking.
Okay, so maybe she looked a little. It wasn’t her fault he was a handsome son-of-a-bitch.
“Ah, you’ll charm him around to your way of thinking,” Mia told her. “The same way you do with everybody.”
“You think?” Becca’s stomach was still twisting at the thought of having to go into work on Monday and face her new boss. Even if Nathan had emailed her this morning to tell her that he’d explained the situation to his brother and that everything was fine, it had been a terrible first impression to make.
The truth was, she wanted Daniel Carter to like her. Not just because he was her boss and it was important for her career. But because she liked being liked. It made life so much easier.
“Yep.” Mia nodded. “I predict you’ll have him eating out of your hand by Monday afternoon. By Friday he’ll probably be your new BFF. So stop frowning and tell me about last night’s party. I’m still bummed I couldn’t go. Damn football fundraisers. They spoil everything.”
“What spoils everything?” Cam asked, walking through the glass doors. “Hey, Becca.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek, then grabbed Mia and pressed his lips against hers. Grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator, he half-emptied it with one glug.
“Football does.” Mia smiled at him.
“Not true. Football makes everything better.” He raised an eyebrow. “Everything okay? You two look deep in conversation.”
“Becca was caught in a tryst last night,” Mia said, ignoring Becca’s annoyed stare. “With her boss. In his office.”
Cam’s smile melted from his face. “What?” He turned to Becca, his expression full of concern. “Is something going on with you and your boss? Has he been harassing you? Should I go have a word with him?”
“Thanks.” Becca rolled her eyes at Mia, before turning back to Cam. “No, there’s nothing going on between me and my boss. Or my ex-boss now, if we’re being specific. There’s no romance, no harassment, and I definitely don’t want you knocking on his door to beat him up, okay?”
Cam shrugged. “You’re my sister. It’s my job to look after you.”
“And Gray’s job and Logan’s job. Not to mention Tanner’s,” Mia said, still smirking.
Becca rolled her eyes. “And this is why I don’t talk to any of you about my love life. I swear when we were younger I only had to mention a boy’s name and one of you would scare him off. Do you know how hard it is to date when you have four overprotective older brothers? I’m going to end up an old maid. How do you feel about that?”
“Pretty damn good,” Cam said, leaning his elbows on the counter as he finished his water. “I think I’m speaking for all four of us when I say we’d be very happy if you never look at a guy again.”
“Stop teasing,” Mia said, swatting his arm playfully. “Of cour
se you want Becca to find somebody. You want her to be happy, don’t you?”
“Would she be happy if one of us was in jail for beating up a guy who’d hurt her?” Cam asked. Becca and Mia stared at him, their mouths gaping. “I thought so,” he said smugly. “So it’s better all around if you stay single forever.”
Mia shook her head. “Are you being serious right now?”
Cam shrugged nonchalantly. “Kinda.”
“Then go back outside and play football. Leave us to our girl talk. The last thing Becca needs is you cramping her style any more.”
Cam grinned and crushed the bottle, throwing it into the recycling can. “Whatever,” he said, lifting Mia’s hand to kiss her palm. “I’ll make us some lunch in an hour.” He glanced at Becca. “You staying?”