The Brothers Rule - Carolyn Faulkner Page 0,57

position you hate. We're more than happy to cover your nut—and then some, considering everything you do around here."

Ryan piped up, "I'm still for the 'telling' rather than 'asking' or 'suggesting'—however strongly—part, but I have absolutely no problems with the idea of you quitting your job. And I, for one, don't really care whether or not you do a business or not. I thought I was all for feminism, but I guess, when it comes down to it—or maybe just when it comes down to you in particular—I'm still caveman enough that I like the idea of you being a happy homemaker."

"Thank you, I think," Laurie contributed, still a bit befuddled by what they were suggesting.

Nick interjected, "You don't have to make a decision immediately. This offer doesn't expire. You could still get a great job offer from another place."

She snorted. "Not after all of this time. Everyone who might have offered me a job has already seen my resume online and not offered. I've done so well at the bank that I think I've priced myself out of the market for what I do."

She was quiet for a moment, and so were the guys, who were trying to give her space.

"That brings up another subject—benefits. I have life insurance, health insurance, dental and vision, a 401k, stock options, all through the bank. If I quit, I have none of that."

Nick was shuffling his papers loudly and not looking at any of them.

"Hey, you!" Adam kicked Nick's foot.

"What?"

"What have you got to say that you're not saying?" Ryan asked. "And since when have you ever been shy about saying something?"

Jace's eyes narrowed on him. "Yeah, do you have a solution to this situation that you're not mentioning?"

Nick cleared his throat, more nervous than he'd ever been in front of his brothers. "Well, yes, I do, actually."

Four pairs of eyes stared at him expectantly.

"There's something that you could do, specifically, in regards to making certain that Laurie has health coverage, etcetera, that I don't think you're going to want to do, which is why I didn't bring it up."

"Out with it!"

"Spit it out!"

"What are you waiting for?!"

Only Laurie waited quietly for him to speak.

"Two of you—Laurie and one of you—could get married. Ideally, it would be the one of you who has the best insurance coverage for her."

"Married?" they all echoed in disbelief.

Nick almost chuckled, surprised that the idea hadn't occurred to the four relatively intelligent people—well, one of those and his brothers—who were sitting in front of him.

"Yeah. I didn't suggest it because it would entail only one of you being legally married to her, and I don't know how the other two would feel about that."

"Neither do we," Adam said what all of them were thinking as he put his hand over his mouth in deep thought.

"Well, we all have a lot to consider then, not just Laurie."

For once, their younger brother was right.

As they were breaking up the meeting, Nick mentioned, "Something to also consider, you in particular, Laurie, is that you could do one without the other, for a short time. You're just so unhappy there—you could, conceivably, go in tomorrow and give them your two-week notice. We could hash things out over those weeks—maybe a little longer, and you'd be outta there in fourteen days, regardless."

Laurie sighed. "Damn, that sounds amazing, but I'm not really sure about it all."

Nick smiled down at her. "Don't fret. We—the boys…" he corrected, wishing he was a part of them, "…just wanted to let you know that you have lots of options that we—they—hope will make you happier than you are now."

She hugged him tightly. "Thank you for helping us with all of this stuff. We appreciate it."

The three of them were standing around, watching her hug him with very unwelcoming looks on their faces.

"Yes, we all appreciate your efforts. Now get your hands off our woman," Ryan only half play-growled.

In response, Nick closed his arms around her tighter, but just for a second, because he knew he was pushing it.

They all growled low at him, and he let her go with a wink that made her smile. "You are very loved, you know, even by lowly Tanner and me. And we'd be very glad to welcome you into the family."

"You just love me because I can cook."

Nick was at the door. "Well, that, and you're sweet and affectionate and funny, not to mention easy on the eyes."

All three of his brothers took a menacing step toward him, and he