“Listen, this is a win-win. Everyone gets what they want, it will help both women, and give me some peace and quiet,” I said. “I just need to get everyone on board.”

Lexi was the unknown quantity in the equation, but I was positive I could get her to see things my way. I was going to bankroll my sister’s gala on the condition that she hire Annabelle to design her corporate identity for the development and anything that included, such as advertisements, brochures, a website, you name it. The idea had come to me while talking to Annabelle in the yard. Now I just needed to get it in motion.

“Oh, speaking of the ladies, we’re picking up Annabelle at her office,” I said.

Jackson’s head whipped in my direction.

“Relax, she knows,” I said. He didn’t look reassured but it did shut him up, which I took as a victory.

Annabelle was waiting by the curb when we pulled up. She was wearing a tailored blue suit and matching heels. Her long curly hair had been restrained into a smooth knot at the nape of her neck. She looked all buttoned up and not in a sexy librarian way but more like trying to be someone she wasn’t. I didn’t like it. Not that it was for me to judge. It just didn’t suit her personality.

The Annabelle I had come to know was bright colors, flowing fabrics, and unrestrained curls. She was hot tubs on starry nights, singing at the top of her lungs just because she felt like it, and giving sanctuary to strays that had no place to go. That Annabelle made me think about things I shouldn’t, like burying my fingers in her hair and holding her still while kissing her senseless. Of having her body pressed up against mine while I—

“You okay over there?”

Jackson interrupted my erotic thought stream and I blinked. Yeah, it was clear. I needed to keep my tenant as far away from me as possible if I didn’t want things to get complicated, which I didn’t.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I was not fine.

Jackson parked and hopped out of the car. He greeted Annabelle and then opened the passenger door behind the driver’s door for her. A part of me was irritated that I hadn’t beaten him to it, but I knew I was on borrowed time with my body so I sat, feeling useless and lame. Always a solid kidney punch to the old self-esteem.

“Hi, Nick,” Annabelle said.