Page 21 of An Inconvenient Plan
Brandy smiled at his dad, her eyes watering. They kissed.
He looked away and caught Hailey’s eye, who looked revolted. Itwasweird to watch your parent all mushy and romantic with someone in front of you. He crossed his eyes and stuck out his tongue. She giggled.
His dad set the check down. “Actually, we’re going to stay and get some coffee too.” He turned to him. “Josh, could you do me a favor and take a bookcase over to Hailey’s place?”
Josh shot him a look. First his dad told him to keep his distance, and then he sends him to be alone with Hailey at her place? What the hell? “Right now?”
His dad stared back and spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. “It’s a nice gesture to help out your new stepsister. The bookcase is in my truck parked out back.”
Josh seethed, not liking the heavy-handedness of his dad’s plan to end the war. Josh was doing just fine with his own better plan to make amends and move things forward with Hailey, until his dad had to squash it.
Brandy wiggled her fingers at Hailey. “You remember that bookcase you always liked of mine? The distressed wood, pale blue—”
“I love that bookcase!” Hailey exclaimed. “You’re giving it to me?”
Brandy smiled and nodded. “The antique look doesn’t go with Joe’s place. I know you’ve always admired it.” She turned to him. “Josh, would you be a dear and move it to Hailey’s apartment? I’d so appreciate it.”
Family was overrated.
8
Josh stifled a sigh as Hailey turned to him expectantly. There were so many holes in this stupid move-the-bookcase setup he couldn’t believe Hailey didn’t see it. First of all, his dad was just as big as Josh and kept fit. He could easily move the bookcase himself. How did he get it into the truck in the first place, huh? Second, the bookcase just happened to be in the truck parked in back of Garner’s? Obviously Brandy and his dad parked here ahead of time with their plan in mind and then walked to get Hailey. They easily could’ve driven a few more blocks and delivered the bookcase to Hailey’s place.
“It’s too heavy for us to move,” Brandy said in a chirpy voice. “Your dad hurt his back just getting it into the truck.”
His dad shot him a look that said,End the war, son. Here’s how you do it.
Fucking A. He didn’t need help ending the war. He could do things his way.
“I’d really appreciate it,” Hailey said to him. “If you’re not too busy.”
“Sure.” Like he could deny her anything. Okay, at one point he’d denied her drinks at the bar, but she’d tanked his sex life with that impotence rumor, so they were even. Sort of. She might be a little up on him with that devious move.
Hailey wiggled a bit in her excitement. “It’s so gorgeous! The front was made from an antique picture frame carved with these curlicue swirls all along the top and sides. Truly unique.”
He held out his palm to his dad, who dropped the pickup truck’s keys in his hand. “Be back soon.”
“No hurry,” Brandy said. “We’re going to just enjoy our coffee.”
“Leave Rose with us,” his dad said. “We’ll take her for a walk around the block after coffee.”
“Are you sure?” Hailey asked, oblivious to their parents’ maneuvering.
“Absolutely,” his dad declared.
Josh got out of the booth and waited for Hailey to hand over Rose to his dad and scoot out. She was so classy that she managed to get out of the booth while keeping her dress anchored down, not giving him even a glimpse of what was underneath. Probably a thong. Not that he was looking or thinking about her thong. Much.
He led the way around the bar to the back exit, Hailey’s heels clicking along next to him, her floral scent washing over him.
“I can’t get over how Rose curled up in your lap,” Hailey said.
“Warm spot, I guess.”
“She only sleeps on someone she trusts.”
He met her eyes. “So I finally earned her trust. How about yours?” He kept his voice light, knowing she wasn’t there yet, but wanting her to know he hoped for that.
She pursed her lips. “I’m not a dog.”
