Page 5 of Rules of Engagement
Lincoln had managed to leave his house and join them without either of them noticing. "Marsali."
"Carter's underage babysitter and how he fired her."
Carter grimaced and shook his head at his older brother. The last thing he needed was Lincoln reverting to old times when he’d had reason to lecture as Carter's legal guardian, but at thirty-three, he was a grown man and Lincoln had lost the right.
"Another one?" Lincoln asked.
"Had to be done. And I already hired another. Piper's checking her out tonight," Carter said, shooting a death glare at a smirking Mac.
"Good. But lay off Marsali. She isn't your type," Lincoln added.
"Definitely not," Mac said.
"How do you figure that? She's beautiful, smart, has her own business." Carter waited for the fallout.
"No," Lincoln and Mac said in unison.
"Why not?She'sage appropriate," he said, just to egg them on. He really wasn't interested in Marsali, though his thoughts about her hotness were totally accurate. She was just a little too… sweet for him, though. And there was the fact she was his buddy's little sis. Even he knew not to cross that bridge. Do that, and if things go south, you lose the relationshipandthe friend. "You always say I look in the wrong places, which is why I hook up with the wrong women. Maybe Marsali and I—"
"Do you want me to kill you?" Mac demanded. "Keep talking."
Carter settled himself more comfortably in his seat so he could prop his foot on the coffee table. "Guys, Piper needs a mama. How many times have you said I don't choose the best women?"
"Barflies would seldom be the right choice," Lincoln said. "And that's usually where you look."
"Which is why Marsali—"
"Where's Amelia?" Mac asked, ending the conversation.
"She is at a wedding for an associate," Lincoln said. "She wanted me to go but I had a ton of work to get done. But Marsali recommended a wedding planner, and the woman has proven hard to get in touch with, so they're going to track her down there."
"Eliza?" Mac asked, his eyebrows drawn down in a frown.
"Yeah, that's her," Lincoln said. "She planned the wedding taking place tonight."
"Wedding planner, huh? No justice of the peace?" Carter asked, knowing his brother wasn't the kind of guy who liked a big fuss.
"It might be my second but it's Amelia's first," Lincoln said with a shrug. "I want her to plan whatever she wants."
"Eliza's good," Mac said. "If anyone can put something together fast and keep it looking nice, she's the one. It'll help her out, too. She's had a rough year."
When Lincoln and Carter both stared at Mac, the man shrugged.
"Eliza's boyfriend was also her business partner. He bailed after banging the secretary and then went into business with her, taking more than his share of clients with him through some underhanded deals."
"Nice guy," Carter said, wincing at the news. No one liked being betrayed, and having been through that type of scenario more than once himself, he empathized.
Lincoln's phone bleeped and Carter watched as his brother read the message and smiled.
"What? Amelia sexting you?" Carter asked.
"No, but the girls apparently stayed after the reception to talk wedding details and finished off some champagne. Amelia needs a ride."
"As does my sister," Mac said, shaking his head while staring at his smart watch. "Apparently we're their Ubers."
"Well, I'm due some entertainment," Carter said, standing when they did. "I'll tag along. Piper's babysitter is good for another two hours."
Mac didn't budge and Carter was aware of his friend staring at him. "What?" he asked. "Afraid I'm going to mack on your drunk sister?"
