The Inheritance (Contemporary Reverse Harem 1)

“Yeah, doll. I’m fine.”

“Mom, I have an idea. You could stay at my apartment, and I can stay at, um…a friend’s house.”

She didn’t need to know exactly which friend…nor who I was there with…

“Oh, that sounds great! I’ll get back to you tomorrow with my travel plans. Bye now!”

If this was anything like all the other times she mused about visiting, she wouldn’t be calling me tomorrow. She’d drop the idea like it had never occurred to her. Which was fine. Really.

* * *

I dashed up the stairs after Nat and Linc, not sure what to expect. Would they feel like rivals? Or partners in crime? And would I be the bitch? Or a lover they’d never forget?

So many questions.

“Hey guys! Where’d you go?” I called.

“Up here,” a distant voice said.

I realized they’d made it to the third floor. I followed their voices.

Linc had taken a room down the hall from Nat, one that had equally impressive views of the San Francisco skyline with its new skyscrapers towering into the clouds.

“Wow,” I said, looking around Linc’s newly-chosen room. “This one’s just as amazing as the others.”

After he finished unpacking, he sat on the end of the bed and stretched his hands out toward me. I hustled over for his warm embrace. He just felt so damn safe. Not to mention, big and strong.

“Baby, this is awesome.”

“Are you sure? You’re okay with this?” I asked.

“Nat seems cool. I’m looking forward to meeting the other guys. I’m sure it will all work out.”

My nervousness over our arrangement went down a couple notches.

“Thank you for being so open-minded. I think this will really be great.”

* * *

“Mr. Jones, hi, it’s Garnet.” Grandpa’s attorney had made it possible for me to use the house. I felt compelled to let him know how things were going.

“Garnet! If it isn’t my most interesting client.”

“I don’t know that I’m interesting. I just think my situation is.”

He laughed. “Well put. It’s not every day an attorney administers an estate that stipulates marriage in thirty days or the deal is off.”

Glad he thought it was so funny. The damn pressure had put knots in my stomach.

But I had to say, the guys I’d met lately were pretty damn awesome. Funny how things worked. Maybe I’d end up alone, and as broke as I ever was, but I’d have one hell of a story to tell.

“So Mr. Jones, I know I only have two weeks left but I’m feeling like one of the four guys moving into the house might work out.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Garnet. I really want this to work out for you. I know Mr. Cordy wanted his estate left to someone worthy. He thought hard about whom to choose, and he chose you.”

“It’s so odd that he did choose me. I mean, like I’ve told you, he and I barely ever spoke. It’s just the strangest thing.”

“I know what you mean, Garnet. Life works in mysterious ways.”