Zip, Zero, Zilch (The Reed Brothers 6)

“Where’s Paul?”

She glares at me. “He’s dropping the kids at Matt’s house.”

I glare back at her. “Why are you here alone?”

“Because someone needed to be here.” Her brow furrows and I think she might strangle me if given an opportunity. “Are you working today?”

I shake my head. “No, I just wanted to talk to Paul.”

She tilts her head and stares at me. I swear, it makes me twitchy when she does that shit. “Everything okay?” she asks.

“Fine.”

I sit down in a rolling chair and start to spin in it.

Josh rolls toward the back of the shop and disappears into the supply room.

“You could be a little more welcoming!” she hisses at me.

“Why the fuck are you here alone with him, Friday?” I hiss back. “You know he could be dangerous.”

She shakes her head. “He’s not.”

“Fuck,” I breathe. “How do you know that?” I glare at her. “You don’t.”

“I do.” She lifts her nose in the air. “I just have a feeling.”

“When will Paul be here?” I ask. No fucking way I’m leaving until he gets here, particularly now that I know she’s here alone with the ex-con.

She nods toward the back of the shop, toward Josh-the-ex-con-who-she-thinks-is-a-teddy-bear, and says, “We’re filming today. The cameras are going to love him.”

I stop spinning. “Does he know he’s going to be filmed?”

She nods. “That’s what we were just talking about.”

“And he’s okay with that?”

She nods. “Apparently. He stayed, didn’t he?” She does that head-tilty thing again and just looks at me. “So, what did you want to talk to Paul about?”

Friday was in the room the last time Paul gave me advice about Peck, so she knows all about my fears. “Just guy talk,” I tell her anyway, because she’s being nosy.

“Sex talk,” she clarifies. “You need some condoms? There’s a whole drawer full at home.”

Suddenly the door opens and Pete rushes in. He’s all smiles and he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a cigar made of bubble gum. “We’re pregnant!” he yells.

Friday grins and runs to him. He catches her against him and he swings her around. “So happy for you two,” she says and she kisses Pete’s cheek. “Is Reagan with you?” She looks over his shoulder.

“Nah, she’s at home puking her guts out.” He laughs. “Nasty stuff, that morning sickness.”

“And you left her alone while she’s sick?” Friday slugs him on the arm.

“Actually, she threw me out.” He starts to mock her voice. “If you don’t get the fuck out of my face, I’m going to drop-kick you into the middle of next week.” He laughs. “She probably even meant it. Usually when she’s pissed at me, she threatens my balls. So I’m pretty sure she didn’t want me around watching her heave. Plus, I wanted to come and check on Josh. Is he here?”

Friday points toward the rear of the shop and Pete goes in that direction.

“I can’t believe he was allowed to breed,” I say quietly.

“He’s going to make a wonderful father.” She makes a happy little inhale. Then she narrows her eyes. “So, how’s Peck?”

“She’s fine.”

“And?” She does that cute little brow arch and her eyebrow piercing goes sideways.

“And nothing.” I cross my arms in front of my chest and pretend to pout.

“And everything.” She picks up a piece of paper from the table next to her, balls it up, and throws it at my head.

I deflect it with my arm. “What was that for?”

“For lying.”

“I’m not lying,” I protest.

“Then let’s try again. How’s Peck?”

“She’s still fine, just like she was thirty seconds ago.”

“Why are you here, Sam?” She taps the heel of those ridiculously high heels.

I throw up my hands. “Can’t a guy just come by to chat?”

The bells over the door jingle again and I turn to look. Thank God it’s Paul.

“Did you know your wife was here alone with the new guy?”

Paul stares at her for a second, then he marches forward, grabs her elbow and pulls her into the office.

Oh, crap. She’s going to kill me for ratting her out.

They come out a few minutes later, and she won’t even look in my direction. She goes to the back and disappears.

“She’s going to kill me,” I mutter.

“Don’t fall asleep around her any time soon,” he warns. “She knew not to be alone with him. I’d already told her, but she’s too fucking nosy for her own good.” He looks at me. “How’s the leg?”

“Better.”

“And Peck?”

“Peck’s leg is fine.”

“Dickwad,” he mutters. He looks up and I suddenly have all his attention. “Is everything all right?”

“Yeah.” I heave a sigh and drop my face into my hands.

“Then what’s up?”

“She told me she loves me,” I blurt out.

His eyes open wide. “Wow.”

Wow? That’s all I get?

He starts setting up his machines. “How do you feel about that?”