“Pru Reynolds?” Even the woman’s voice sounded pinched. It was nasal and full of disdain.
Pru tucked in closer to his back, using him to shield her pantsless state. “Yes. May I help you?”
Flynn had to give it to her—despite the compromising position they found themselves in, her tone was as smooth and friendly as it would be for any guest.
“I’m Lydia Coogan, with the Department of Human Services. I’m the new social worker assigned to Ari Rosas.”
“New social worker?” Pru’s voice went sharp with concern. “What happened to Mae?”
“Miss Bradley is out on extended medical leave.”
“Is she okay?”
“I believe she’s having some kind of surgery.” Clearly, she didn’t really know her predecessor and didn’t care. Lydia’s gaze shifted from Pru to Flynn. “And you would be?”
This woman controlled Ari’s fate. He couldn’t imagine how bad it looked for Pru to be caught sleeping with a guest, so he said the only thing he could think of. “Flynn Bohannon. Pru’s fiancé.”
Pru’s fingers dug into his back—because of his words or because, at that moment, the front door opened, Flynn wasn’t sure. The newcomers came in on the tail end of the statement.
Ari gave a whoop. “You finally asked her! Yay!”
What the hell?
Logan’s mouth dropped open as he shut the door. “Man, what’s in the water around here? First Kennedy and now Pru.”
“I—” Pru finally moved around him on the stairs, looking like she was about to keel over. “Excuse me for just a few minutes.” She disappeared back toward her bedroom, presumably to get dressed. Realizing he still held the wad of sheets, Flynn excused himself as well, high tailing it to the laundry room and dumping them in the washer. He grabbed a t-shirt from the hamper and tugged it on, before hurrying back to do damage control.
Lydia was giving Logan the side eye now. “And who are you?”
“Family friend,” he said easily.
Pru came back, dressed in her own clothes, her hair brushed and pulled back into a tail. Whatever color their afternoon of lovemaking had whipped into her cheeks was gone. “Logan, thanks for bringing Ari home.”
“No problem.” He shot her a look that might have been an apology for the timing.
“If you could keep the news under your hat, I would appreciate it.”
“I can do that. Congratulations.”
She opened her mouth as if to say thank you, then closed it again without a word. Instead, she just nodded.
Logan shot a look at the social worker. “You need anything, just let me know.”
“Thanks.”
Once he was gone, Pru turned to Lydia. “Can we start over? Would you come into the living room?”
The woman looked as if she wanted to refuse, but she followed.
Ari caught Flynn’s eye and gave him a double thumbs up. Jesus, what had he set in motion?
“I don’t think we need you for this just now,” he said. No doubt Pru was about to set the social worker straight. They could explain to Ari later. “Why don’t you go wash up for supper? You smell like horse.”
“’K.” She ran up the stairs.
Flynn hurried into the living room, joining Pru on the sofa and taking her hand in his. He expected her to jerk it away and explain to the woman that it was all a lie. Instead, she curled her fingers around his. He could feel her shaking.
“Miss Coogan, I apologize for our introduction. I assure you, that’s not…usual.” Flynn thought for a moment she’d go on. But, really, what else was there to say?