Yes, I do know what she means and I just shake my head with a smirk. Gigi tries hard to be one of the guys, when she really doesn’t have to. She’s proven her worth as a teammate a million times over, so I let her down gently.
“Sadly, he’s very taken. Engaged in fact.”
“Damn,” she says but she really doesn’t look heartbroken in the slightest. “Guess I’ll keep looking.”
When I get to the front bay, sure enough, Nix is leaning up against the truck talking to Tim. As I approach, I hear Tim say, “See ya, Nix.” They fist bump and Tim heads toward the kitchen.
“Hey, man. What brings you over to this corner of the world?”
He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “I was just delivering a piece of art to an accounting firm here in Brooklyn and thought I’d stop by. See how things are going.”
“You mean, see how it’s going with the victim I moved into my apartment that I’m trying to fix?”
Nix at least has the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “Yeah, something like that.”
Leaning back against the truck, I cross my arms over my chest and look out the bay door at the traffic driving by. I want to be mad at Nix for being judgmental with me the other day, but I can’t find it within me. He’s my cousin—one of my best friends in the world—and all of his words are born of love. I get it.
“All’s good. In fact, it looks like Rowan’s problems are over. Buzz caught her ex-boyfriend and he’s in custody, so she’s safe.”
“So, she’ll be moving on?” His eyes are so serious, and I know... again... this stems from love.
“Actually, I’ve gone ahead and asked her to officially be my roommate. She’s trying to get a job now.”
Nix looks to the concrete floor and scuffs a boot over it, presumably thinking over his next words. “Flynn, are you sure she’s not trying to scam you... or abusing your hospitality?”
Chuckling, I slap Nix on the shoulder. “Man... trust me, this girl doesn’t know how to take advantage of someone. If you met her, you’d know it in about five minutes. I guarantee once she finds a job, she’ll probably insist on paying me back-rent with interest. That’s just the way she is.”
Nix looks at me and holds my gaze. I make sure mine is unwavering so he understands that I believe the truth of what I’m telling him and that I’m not romanticizing her involvement in my life.
“Really? You trust her motives?”
“I do,” I say emphatically. “I’m not wrong about this. She’s a good person. More importantly... she doesn’t need fixed. She’d be fine with or without my help.”
Nix pushes away from the truck and comes to stand in front of me. “So, what type of job is she looking for?”
I shrug my shoulders. “She’s not picky. Just something where she can earn a decent wage. She’s worked in bars before but she’s applied to some local businesses around the apartment. Retail stuff.”
Nix rubs the scruff along his jaw, contemplating. “She know how to work a computer?”
“I don’t know. I guess so. I mean—doesn’t everyone in this day and age know how?”
“You’d think, right? Hold on just a sec... I’ll be right back.”
I watch as Nix steps out of the open bay doors and out onto the sidewalk. He pulls his phone out and dials. He paces back and forth while talking to someone on the other end, and I’m assuming he might know about a potential job for Rowan. The thought that he would do that touches me and I’m reminded how very lucky I am to have the family that I do.
Nix isn’t on the phone long before he disconnects and walks back toward me. “That was Emily. She agrees with me... if your roommate is familiar with computers, and can work some basic software I have... I’ll offer her a job as my secretary. We’ll do a trial for thirty days and I’ll start her at thirteen dollars an hour. If at the end of thirty days, she’s doing a great job, we’ll talk something more permanent.”
“What?” I ask, completely startled.
“Emily’s trying to buckle down this last year of school and she just hasn’t been able to stay on top of my stuff that she had been helping me with. We’ve been talking about me hiring someone to take over for her. Now seems as good a time as any, I guess.”
I cock an eyebrow at him. “Wait a minute... just five minutes ago you were questioning Rowan’s integrity. You’ve never met her, you don’t even know if she can do the job. Why are you offering this?”
Nix gives me a smile and shakes his head with amusement. “Because I know you, dude. And if you tell me she’s solid, then she’s solid.”
I push away from the truck and take a step toward Nix, holding my hand out. He grasps it in a hard shake and then pulls me into a quick half-hug, clapping me on the back.
“Thanks, Nix. That really means a lot. I’ll call Rowan tonight and tell her. Although, she’ll probably bitch about this being a handout. The girl has maybe a bit too much pride.”
“That means she’ll work hard. I like it.”
“That she will. When do you want her to start?”
“When does your shift end?”
“Tomorrow is my last day.”
“Probably the day after that. Give me a call when you get home and we’ll iron out the details.”
After Nix leaves, I head into the kitchen to get something to eat. I think how I’m going to approach this with Rowan, because she won’t like that I had a hand in getting her a job. I just hope she’s not too stubborn to accept this help.
13
I stare out the passenger window at the tree-lined street. It’s weird... because I haven’t stepped foot out of the city in five years. I’m used to the concrete jungle, not this fall oasis where the leaves are just starting to get a touch of color and the air is refreshingly crisp in the morning.
Flynn is driving me to his cousin’s house in Englewood, New Jersey. I’m apparently starting a new job today, brought about by the generosity of Nix and Flynn Caldwell. I’m torn, because on the one hand, I want to be elated that I’ll have a way to make money. But on the other hand, I’m feeling like a failure that this job was sort of handed to me.
Flynn’s line—beggars can’t be choosers—flits through my mind and I sigh inwardly. I suppose I need to swallow a bit of my pride and go ahead and look at the bright side of things. So I’m telling the new Rowan to suck it up and be nothing but appreciative of this job.
The old Rowan still exists though, because Flynn and I had a knock-down, drag-out fight last night about him driving me here. I insisted I could take public transit. I even showed him on the computer a nice little route that, between the bus and subway, I could make it in just a little over an hour and a half. Flynn then promptly pulled up driving directions on Google Maps and showed me how he could have me there in about forty-five minutes by his car. Then we got into a major pissing contest about it, but he eventually won by telling me he wanted to visit his parents while Nix showed me the ropes.
“Are you still pissed at me?” Flynn asks with a good-natured attitude.
“Yup. Leave me alone.” I try to sound harsh but truth be told, I’m really not pissed at him anymore. I find it very difficult to hold strong against his wit and charm.
Flynn reaches over and tugs on the end of my hair. “You’re cute when you’re mad.”
I lean my head to the right, dislodging his hand from my hair. Not because I’m mad, but because his touch affects me too much.
“Am not mad.”
“Are, too. Admit it. You don’t like the fact I won our argument.”
I turn my head toward him and he takes his eyes off the road for a second to return my gaze. I shoot him my best fuck-off glare but he only laughs at me. His dimple pops out, his eyes crinkle up at the corners, and I think he may be the most gorgeous man alive.