city.”
“Grayson is…a friend,” she went on. “He has a huge house and thought we might like to visit.”
“He thought wrong,” Duncan muttered.
Kerry shouldered her purse and slipped into her strappy sandals, throwing him an admonishing look. “It’s for two days. You’ll survive. Besides, who says we won’t have fun?”
Duncan raised a hand. “Uh…I do?”
“Come on,” Kerry cajoled, giving him a light punch on the shoulder. “It will be fun. Keep an open mind.”
He rewarded her enthusiasm with another eye roll.
“Duncan, please—”
Interrupting her, he said, “If this guy is such a good friend, how come we’ve never heard of him?”
“He’s someone I met through work,” Kerry said, thinking fast. “He’s a lawyer and he told me about his house and invited us to stay with him to relax a bit.”
“Don’t be such a jerk,” Cohen commented, shouldering his way past his mom. He adjusted the waist band on his shorts. “He has a freakin’ pool and a home theatre. Who says we even have to speak to him if we don’t want to?”
“Neither one of you will be rude to Mr. Nichols,” Kerry warned. Placing two teenagers in a situation out of their element would garner resistance, which she’d expected, but she’d hoped they would embrace the adventure. Grayson had emailed pictures of his theatre and pool in an attempt to entice the boys. “You’ll both be on your best behavior, are we clear? Did you pack your swimsuits? Underwear? Changes of clothes?”
Both boys nodded and spoke in unison. “Yes, Mom!”
Cohen heaved his duffel over his shoulder, huffing out a breath. Kerry noted the pink of his cheeks and squinted at him, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead. “You feeling okay, little man?”
Her youngest gave a shrug, wiping a hand down the front of his yellow T-shirt. “Yeah. Why?”
“You feel a little warm.”
“I’m tired, but there’s no way I’m missing going to Mr. Nichols’ place. I want to be able to brag about the pool and movie theatre when I go back to school Monday.”
“Well, that’s a better attitude.” Kerry smiled at his enthusiasm.
A knock at the door caused all of them to turn their heads in the direction of the sound. Kerry huffed out a breath. “Our ride is here.”
“Our ride?” Duncan raised a skeptical eyebrow.
Cohen’s eyes bugged out of his head. “Like a limousine?”
“I don’t think so, but why don’t we go outside and see?” She opened the door to see Grayson’s driver standing there looking sharp in a well-tailored grey suit.
Davis tipped his hat in greeting. “Ms. Roberts—lovely to see you again.”
“Hello, Davis,” she responded with a smile.
“You know his driver?” Duncan’s eyes narrowed at the two adults.
Kerry ushered the boys out the door and locked it behind them. “Davis drove me to my dinner date with Mr. Nichols the other night.”
“You went on a date with him?” Duncan’s tone and facial expression suggested she’d sprouted two heads.
“It wasn’t a date date,” she replied. The boys shuffled out the front door, and Kerry locked up after them.
“Holy shit,” Cohen exclaimed. “He did send a limousine!”
“Watch your mouth,” Kerry admonished.
“Mr. Nichols thought you might find it fun,” Davis said, a smirk quirking up a corner of his mouth.”
“Woo-hoo!” Cohen whooped with joy. “The guy’s got two pools, a movie theatre in his house and sends a limo to pick us up. Mom, I say date him.” Without further comment or care, Cohen made a mad dash to the limo, his duffel bouncing along behind him. He tore open the passenger door, wiggled his butt in a victory dance, and dove inside.
“I guess he doesn’t need me to carry his bag,” Davis commented. “May I help you with yours?” He held out an expectant hand to Kerry.
Kerry chuckled. “I’ve got it, thanks.”
“Kids,” mumbled Duncan, hiking up the strap of his backpack. “Nah, I don’t need
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