Page 73 of The Moment He Saw Her

“I’ll do it, but I’m not sure how long I can work there,” Libby said quickly. The more money she earned, the faster she’d get out of Lyntacky and away from Ryder. “When should I start?”

“I’ll ask JD and call here to let you know. Knowing him, he’ll probably say tonight because he hates cleaning as much as I do. We’ll ask around for someone to start when you leave.”

“Stop distracting my staff,” Ryder said, wandering out of the kitchen.

“I’ve come to save you, actually,” Nina said, smiling in a way Libby had never been able to at him.

Libby always had been hopeless at flirting. In fact, her fiancé—ex-fiancé had said he loved that about her because he never had to worry about her flirting with anyone.

Bastard.

“Klaus and Lea have that sleepout around the back of their place she can stay in, and after what that assface Fletcher did, it will give them something else to think about.”

“Thank you, I’ll take it,” Libby said as Ryder opened his mouth.

“You haven’t seen it yet. It might not suit, Libby,” he said.

“You’re not serious?” Nina said. “Because Klaus and Lea are those types of people who clean all the time.”

“Those types of people?” Libby asked.

“They have set days for things,” Nina said, frowning. “Windows on Saturday, changing the bed on Tuesday.” She waved her hand about. “You could eat off the floor. Not that I’m sure why you would, but the point is you could.”

“Sounds perfect,” Libby said.

“But is it warm enough?” Ryder asked.

“Their children have all used it, so my guess is yes,” Nina said.

“Why is he frowning?” Brody said, walking in with Phoebe.

“Libby’s moving out, and he wants her to stay,” Nina said.

“Jesus, what is with this town always making up stories about me? I didn’t say that. I was just making sure that Klaus and Lea’s sleepout is suitable in these conditions for Libby.”

“I’ve been in there, actually,” Brody said. “It’s nice and warm, plus really clean.”

“Great. I’ll take it, then,” Libby said. She needed to get out of Ryder’s house ASAP, and this was her chance. “If you could give me their number, Nina, I’ll call and talk to them.”

“Fine,” Ryder said, not looking fine at all.

“Made any chocolate yet?” Phoebe asked. “I’m a good sampler of chocolate, and I’m offering my services.”

“I’ve made a few,” Ryder said.

“Oooh.” She clapped her hands. “Exciting, can we sample some?”

“Honey, we’re here to discuss the birthday party, not eat chocolate,” Brody said.

“Can’t we do both?”

Libby’s family liked to keep their emotions—joy, anger, anything—closed away inside, so these Dukes were a revelation to her with their oversharing and constant need to either annoy or love one another.

“Come on, Pheebs, I’ll be your chocolate dealer and feed your habit,” Ryder said.

She wanted to follow because one thing Libby knew was chocolate, but she made herself stay behind the counter. Nina gave her the Beckers’ phone number, and she said she’d call during her lunch break.

After cleaning the cabinets and wiping down tables, she took some things to the kitchen and found Phoebe with her eyes closed, mouth open. Ryder dropped a dome of chocolate in.

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