“I’ve never considered anything like that.”

“Maybe you should.” An indulgent smile begins to stir his lips. “It just so happens we could use someone to do extra filing and copying down at the firm, maybe answering phones. I have no doubt you could pick it up in no time.”

He laughs gently, his gaze fixed over my shoulder. A moment later, I know why, as the sound of Mom’s heels hitting the floor reverberates through the air. “I’m sure the apple couldn’t have fallen too far from the tree,” he concludes. “If you’re half as quick a study as your mother, it’ll be a breeze.”

“What’s all this about?” she asks with her brightest smile before leaning in to kiss James’s cheek as she passes by.

“It’s the simplest solution imaginable, and I can’t understand why I didn’t think of it before. I could hire Leni to do filing and other clerical work around the firm.”

He doesn’t see it from where he’s sitting, but I do. The way she falters a little, almost stumbling before she reaches up for a glass from the cabinet. “You think that’s a good idea, sweetheart?” Her voice is too bright, too energetic. I know where this is going.

“Why not? She’s industrious, wants to earn her own way, and provide for herself. Shouldn’t she be given the opportunity to do that?” He slides a private little wink my way, like we’re on the same team. I appreciate the effort, but he’s not going to get his way. She’ll see to it.

Our eyes meet for the briefest instant as she swings around to face him. That fleeting glance tells me everything I need to know. Under no circumstances does she want her daughter working in the same office as she is. “I don’t know, sweetheart. Are you sure something like that wouldn’t make it look like Leni is capitalizing on our relationship?”

“What do you mean?”

She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, shrugging, acting vague and playful when I know she’s feeling anything but. “You know how people talk. It’s already one thing for us to be together, getting married. Then you bring your new stepdaughter in and give her a job, too? I’d hate to see you accused of nepotism.”

“It’s my firm,” he reminds her. “I can do what I want.”

“You know what? It’s not even an issue.” Colt waves a hand back and forth between him and Nix. “We got her a job at the gym already.”

It’s almost funny how all of us turn to him in unison. “What?” I whisper.

“You did?” Mom coos. “That’s so thoughtful and wonderful of you boys!”

I’m too busy being shocked to react. James cocks his head to the side. “What would Leni do at the gym?”