The Christmas Deal
“Whoa. This is…” Matt grinned, which was bizarre. “This is awesome. It’s, like, a caper. Who doesn’t love a caper?”
Logan stared at him, wondering what planet Matt was from, as Seth said, “Me. And I can’t have Angela over for dinner regardless. My kitchen’s not finished. I don’t have a dining table. There’s so much to do. I don’t even know where to start.”
“But the demo’s done and the drywall’s up,” Jenna said. “Don’t you have all the cabinets and stuff sitting in the garage? It would only take a couple days to fix it up. You know, our dad was a contractor. If you can find the muscle, Pop could supervise. Would give him something to do other than watch TV all day—and get him moving at least a little. He still refuses to do his exercises.”
Seth shook his head. “This is crazy, Jenna. Even if I could fix up the house in time, why would Logan want to pretend to be my fiancé?”
An idea popped into Logan’s head, accompanied by a flash of unfamiliar emotion that left him a little breathless. Was it…hope? This whole situation was batshit, but maybe there was a way to temporarily solve his problem and Seth’s.
What the fuck do I have to lose?
Jenna was saying, “Logan, I know it’s so much to ask, but…”
He spoke before he could talk himself out of it, a twist of acid in his gut reminding him he and Connor were about to be homeless. “I could do the renovation stuff. Would need a hand to carry things and get it all in place, but I worked with Pop when I was a teenager. I can do it. The thing is…”
He hesitated. The itchy heat of Jenna, Seth, and Matt staring at him, waiting, made him sweat. Humiliation prickled the back of his neck, and he considered just shutting up and telling them to forget it.
Jenna stepped closer, concern softening her face. “What’s going on?”
Logan spit it out, afraid he might puke at the same time. “I was evicted. Connor and I need a place to stay. Not for long—just over the holidays until he goes back to school. I’ll find a job in January for sure.” Had to. There was no other option.
“What?” Jenna grabbed hold of his arm, awful sympathy shining from her eyes. Logan was so sick of his baby sister feeling sorry for him. Being worried about him all the time since he was a mess. She said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He scowled. “You have enough going on with the kids and Pop. You don’t need me on the couch, and what about Connor? There isn’t enough room. Besides, it just happened this morning. I have to be out by Friday, and I did hear from the factory. I didn’t get the job.” He shrugged, dislodging Jenna’s hand and pretending he didn’t care. “It’s fine.”
There were a few beats of awkward silence before Matt exclaimed, “Guys, this is perfect.” He quickly added, “Not that you’re getting evicted, man. That sucks. But Seth needs a fake boyfriend, and you need a place to stay. Two birds, one stone.” He made a motion like he was dunking a basketball. “Nothing but net.”
As Seth and Logan looked at each other dubiously, Jenna bounced on her toes. “Yes! You guys can finish the kitchen with Pop this weekend. Have Angela over for dinner, and then play happy family next weekend on the retreat. Seth’s been alone out there in that house too long anyway.”
Seth shot her a glare. “I have not.”
Jenna gave him an impatient, disbelieving look Logan had seen many, many times. She said, “Seth, I know you’d prefer to make an extensive pro and con list and examine it for a week before committing, but there’s no time. You deserve this promotion. What do you have to lose?”
“My job if she finds out this was all a lie?”
“Oh, right.” Jenna made a face. “Valid point. But she won’t. Think of how many employees Angela Barker has. BRK has offices around the world. We won’t see her again for years.”
“What about everyone else you work with?” Logan asked.
Jenna shrugged. “We’ll just say I set up you and Seth, and it’s been a whirlwind romance.”
“Everyone will definitely believe Jenna played matchmaker,” Matt said. “Less believable that you didn’t tell every last person here about it, including the janitor.”
Logan wanted to defend her, but, well… Jenna huffed. “I can keep a secret! I knew for months you and Becky were hooking up before you went public.”
“Fair enough.” To Seth and Logan, Matt said, “Well? You two ready to make a deal?” He grinned.
Seth fidgeted, cracking his knuckles. “It does seem like it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement?” He looked to Logan, his expression creasing. “But I know you’re grieving, and if it feels inappropriate, I’d completely understand.”