wave of pity washed over her, watering down a lifetime of old feelings. Well, at least this would go smoothly. Then she wouldn’t have to feel guilty about locking him in some home. And maybe she could let go of some of that hate. Maybe.
“So, what happens first?” He asked brightly. “When do the camera people get here? And, when do I get to meet that bossy lady with the flower in her hair?”
“What are you—”
Behind her the screen door whipped open and Jocelyn turned to see Will frozen in the doorway, looking at her with almost the same degree of shock he’d had this morning outside the villa.
“William!” Guy practically lunged toward him, arms outstretched. “You are the best son in the world. How can I thank you for getting her here?”
The older man reached up and grabbed Will in a bear hug, flattening his gray-haired head against Will’s chest.
Over his head, Will stared at Jocelyn, his mouth open but nothing coming out.
“You did it,” Guy said, finally leaning back to beam up at Will. “You got Clean House here and this pretty girl is going to make my life perfect. I love you, son, you know that?”
Jocelyn put a hand on the cool brick wall to steady herself. Not because the old man misunderstood why she was there. Not because he thought she was there to make his life perfect. Not even because he thought Will Palmer was his son and she was a stranger.
He’d just never, ever said the words I love you unless he was weeping in apology for having hurt someone or broken something. The words had always been meaningless to him.
But not now. Guy really did love Will. And as Will patted Guy’s back, comforting the old man, it was clear that Will loved Guy, too.
And the irony of that was one bitter pill on her tongue.
Chapter Five
Jocelyn looked more real, more beautiful, and even more stunned standing in the entry of her own home than she had when Will had accidentally discovered her at Casa Blanca.
With one more gentle pat on Guy’s back, Will gave Jocelyn a pleading look, hoping she’d just go along with this.
“He thinks I’m from a TV show called Clean House?” she asked, obviously still confused by what had unfolded. “Why don’t you tell him—”
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he said, a little forcefully as he eased Guy away from him. “Why don’t we go talk privately about…” His gaze moved beyond her to the kitchen. “Holy shit, Guy, what the hell happened here?”
“Now there’s no need to cuss, son. I just got a little ahead of the game. This lady, this… uh, uh… what was your name again?”
“Jocelyn,” she said with barely restrained patience. “Jocelyn Bloom.”
Guy didn’t even blink at his own name. “This Jocelyn is going to straighten it all out and set things right for me. That’s what she does, right? Isn’t that what you do, Missy?”
Will held his breath, watching a series of emotions play over her refined features. Dismay drew her dark brows together and doubt made her lower lip quiver slightly. But she finally lifted that deceptively delicate chin and nodded.
“Yes, actually, that is what I do.”
Will exhaled slowly, fighting the urge to give Jocelyn a hug of gratitude. “Why don’t we go somewhere and talk about the details,” he suggested. “Guy, you take a load off in the living room and I’ll show Jocelyn around.”
“Is this the part where they do a tour?” Guy asked. “The ‘before’ tour?”
“Yes,” Will said, stepping closer to Jocelyn. “But you have to sit down and let me take Jocelyn on the tour.”
“Why?” he asked. “I want to show her everything.”
Will gave another look, practically begging for help.
“He’s right. I have to see everything without you. Go sit and we’ll be back after I’ve looked around.”
Oh, man. He could kiss her. “C’mon. We’ll start out in the…” He looked around at the chaos. “Garage. It’s through the laundry room over—”
“I know where it is.” She rounded the brick wall and made her escape through the unused—and just as messy—office that led to the laundry room.
“Will.” Guy grabbed his arm. “Thank you.” He reached up for another hug. “I don’t deserve you, you know that? You’re such a good son.”
“It’s okay, Guy. Let me talk to her.” Will inched him aside, knowing Jocelyn was damn near liquid mercury when it came to disappearing between a man’s fingers. She could well be gone when he got into the garage.
He