Duke stares at me for a second with a confused look. “And you’re not having sex with her?”
“No. She hung out with the kids, and then we had dinner and she helped put them to bed—”
“Wait. She helped put them to bed? So, she stayed late into the evening?”
“Yes,” I say with a loud sigh, irritated that he’s here grilling me. “She didn’t have anything else to do, and we were having fun. After the kids went to bed, we had a beer and talked on the porch.”
“And you got her number, right? Please tell me you got her number.”
“Yes, but only because she was watching the kids and I wanted her to have a way to reach me if she needed to.”
“We can work with this,” he says, nodding. “There’s hope for you yet. When will you see her again?”
“Today.”
“But I watch your kids today.” Duke looks at his watch. “It’s almost four o’clock.”
“I know.” I grab his arm and try to drag him out of my house. “She’s moving in, and I really need to get things ready for her.”
“Hold up.” Duke digs his heels into the hardwood floor and whirls out of my grasp. “She’s moving in?”
“Yes,” I snap.
“Here? Nora Hayes, superstar, actress, goddess is moving in here…with you?”
“Technically she’s moving into the loft. Thanks for leaving it furnished, by the way.”
“You’re welcome. So, she watched your kids twice, you two hung out, talked, and had a beer, and now she’s moving into the loft. Did I get it right?”
“Yes. Now leave.”
“And you’re not sleeping with her?”
“Jesus Christ, is that all you think about?”
Duke grins. “Pretty much.”
“You’re disgusting.” I shove him toward the door.
“At least tell me you’re thinking about sleeping with her.”
I’ve thought about what it would be like to have her gorgeous body beneath mine, but I keep that thought to myself. “No, I’m not.”
“Are you gay?”
“What?” My whole body flinches. “No, I’m not gay.”
“It’s okay if you are. I’ll love you regardless.”
“I know you would. And I would own that shit if I were, but I’m not.”
“And you’re not going to sleep with her?”
“Duke, I swear to God, I’m going to throw you out of my house if you don’t leave.”
He holds his hands up and backs toward the door. “Okay. Just one more question.”
“What?”