The Renovation (Contemporary Reverse Harem 2)

Okay, it was kind of funny. Me, living with four guys at once, who were going to work on my house.

Sounded like a damn game show. Or a reality show.

One where I might win.

“C’mon, Jay. Lighten up. It will be fine. Think of all the great sex you’re gonna have. In fact, do you think I could come over some time?”

“No, you may not come over. I don’t trust you to behave.”

“Aww, seriously? That’s kind of crappy and ungrateful.”

“Really?” I asked. “In what universe is it okay for you to gather the guys I’m dating and get them all to move into a house together? Where I also happen to be living?”

“You know, Jay,” she said with irritation, “some day, you’ll thank me for this. You’ll see how I’ve helped you—”

“I gotta go, Shelle. I’ll talk to you later.” I hung up on her mid-sentence. It was a bitchy thing to do, but I’d apologize later.

I sat down on the edge of the bed in the room that was to be mine until—well, I didn’t know until when. I mean, if we managed to renovate and sell the house before the bank could make off with it, I’d have to find a new place to live, and if the bank took the house, I’d need a new place to live anyway. Who knew how long I’d be at Carter’s? With Dig. And Tanner. And Wyatt.

And how in god’s name would I choose? I liked them all, truly. There was just something about each one—wonderful in his own way. But still different.

I flopped back onto my bed. Shit, I was exhausted. The drama was taking it out of me.

And, I had a big day at work coming up. I was meeting with Mr. Renner to talk about my “future” at the agency. I’d taken the bull by the horns and set it up myself. I figured if I didn’t make it happen, it surely never would.

Chapter 20

Tanner

Well. Now I’d heard it all.

Jayma’s next door neighbor, a total stranger to me, invited me to move in with him. And two other guys. For a total of four dudes under one roof.

Oh, and did I mention Jayma would be living there? And her cat?

Um…what?

At first, I thought the dude was crazy. Certifiably insane. And maybe he was. But the more I thought about it, and my desire to break out of my corporate rut where I had to think about tampons, and hear the particulars of my female colleagues’ monthly cycles, the more I thought it wasn’t any crazier than the life I was already living.

So I said yes. What was the worst that could happen?

I might not end up with Jayma, but hey, I could walk away with some cool new guy friends. And Carter told me I could help with the house reno—he’d teach me whatever I wanted to learn.

It was going to be great to roll up my sleeves and do some hard, physical work for a change. And not hear a goddamn word about tampons.

I drove over to Jayma’s neighborhood and parked at Carter’s just next door. And what a contrast it was. His, in pristine condition, a huge, sleek, mid-century modern home that had clearly been updated by someone with great taste and a lot of talent. Hers—well, it had potential.

The door flew open when I rang the bell, and Jayma stood there in a sexy little dress and high heels. Guess she’d gotten used to the idea of shacking up with a bunch of dudes.

“Tanner! Come in, come in. Oh, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, throwing her arms around my neck. I loved the way she smelled, so fresh with the slightest hint of some spicy perfume.

“Hey, baby,” I said, looking around. “What an amazing place.”

“I know, right? Isn’t it great? It’s modern, but not too modern.”

“I know what you mean. Hey, how did your meeting with Mr. Renner go today?”

She pursed her lips. What was that all about?