Isn’t that nice. Shea, what would you like to eat?”
“Oh, don’t worry ’bout me. I’m fine for now.”
“You’re fine for always.”
“God, Meliss.” Jake fell onto his chair, shaking with laughter. “That was so bad, it was painful.”
Shea pushed him. “I don’t mind.” His gaze traveled over Jake, who’d removed his shirt and wore board shorts. “You’re not lookin’ too bad yourself.”
“Well, that answered my next question,” Melissa said with satisfaction. “How long are you here for?”
Shea removed his T-shirt but kept his shorts on. “Just until tomorrow.” He glanced over to see Stacey bobbing in the water and took another drink of his beer.
“What do you model, Shea?” Melissa stretched out her long legs. Purple nail polish gleamed on her toes when the sunlight struck them.
“Underwear,” Jake answered before he had a chance to speak, and Shea sent him a death glare, to which he received back a sunny smile.
“Oh, that makes perfect sense.”
Shea liked these people. They were direct and funny, and he could see how much they cared for Jake.
Oliver patted his wife’s hip. “Shift over, honey. Let me in on the interrogation.”
Jake cackled. “Busted, Meliss. And here I thought you were better than that. We all saw through you right away.”
“That’s because it’s been so long since we’ve seen you with anyone.” She sniffed, and her pretty eyes danced. “I’m out of practice, but don’t worry. I’m ready to make up for lost time.”
“God give me strength,” Jake muttered.
Kiss padded by them, climbed the steps to the deck, and circled the pool, then stretched out, watching the children.
“She’s good for Stacey, isn’t she?” Oliver said, watching her.
“Best thing I’ve ever done. She’s like Stacey’s shadow, and they love each other. Look at her. She’d jump in there with them if she could.”
“I’m okay with it. She’s a Lab; they love water.”
“Yeah? Let me see if she’ll go.” Jake sprang out of his seat, and with a toss of a ball and little bit of urging, the dog jumped in. The kids cheered and continued a game of throwing the ball into the water for her to fetch.
“So what do you think of New York City?” Oliver asked.
“From what I see, I love it. So much so that my agent is supposed to send me information on a sublet, and if I like it, I’ll take it.”
Jake’s brows shot up as he sat in his lounge chair. “Sight unseen? You can’t do that.”
“Oh no, Jake’s right.” Oliver frowned. “You can’t rent an apartment without seeing it first.”
“Hold up, now. I’m not a greenhorn. I know what I’m doin’.”
“Shea.” Jake sounded impatient, like he had when they first met, before Shea knew the real man. “Running ranch hands is different than tangling with the real-estate market in New York City. There you only deal with horses and cows. Real-estate agents are sharks.”
Quickly seeing his dream dying, Shea folded his arms. “Well, I’m not gonna let this slip through my fingers just ’cause I can’t be there. I’m gonna trust Pedro. I’ve worked with him for over ten years. He’s not gonna lie to me.”
“You’re being stubborn,” Jake argued. “It would be stupid to take a place sight unseen.”
“Hey, now.” Shea poked a finger at him. “You can call me stubborn, and I’m okay with that. But don’t be callin’ me stupid. That ain’t nice.” He glared at Jake, who worked his jaw, then dropped his gaze.
“You know I don’t think you’re stupid. It was wrong of me to say that. But you have to listen to us.” He huffed out a breath and drummed his fingers on the chair. “Okay, I have an idea. Why don’t I look at it for you?”
“Why’re you a better judge than Pedro? I mean, I know him better than I know you.”
Jake quirked a brow. “Do you, now?”
Shea grew warm. “Not like that.” He grinned at Jake and poked him. “Don’t be stupid.”
The tension eased, and Oliver rose from the chair. “Okay, everyone. Who’s ready to eat?”
* * *
They left Oliver and Melissa’s house around eight o’clock that evening, with a half-asleep Stacey and an exhausted but happy dog. Jake had already put Stacey in the car and buckled her seat belt. Kiss lay at her feet.
When Shea opened the car door, Melissa whispered in his ear, “He was so happy today, happier than I’ve seen him since Stacey was born. And I know it’s because of you.”
“They’re very special people. And thank you for opening your home to me.”