Page 50 of Defensive Indifference

“Does he?”

“He does.”

“And you’ve thought this through? Really thought about it? I can’t let him get hurt, you know that.”

“I’m not going to hurt him or you.”

“Then I accept your proposal. We’ll see how this goes.”

Koa’s grin is the last thing I see as he slowly pulls my door closed. “Goodnight, Lina,” he whispers, and shuts it completely.

I lock up and lean against the door for two seconds before Dustin barges back in. “Are we gonna eat?”

“Yes, yes. Let’s eat.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Evalina

I glance at the address Koa gave me and wonder if the driver he sent brought me to the right place. Yes, the driver. I had fully expected to have to figure out how to get to the meeting by myself, but once again, the man thought of everything.

“Are you sure this is the place?” Dustin would lose his mind if he saw this house. Fortunately, he’s with Annie, so I can focus on the meeting and not where my son is hiding in this mansion.

“Yes, ma’am. This is the right place. I’ve driven for Mr. Keaton before.” He maneuvers the car down the long, tree-lined lane, bringing the size of the house into full view with every inch. There are several cars parked in the front, which I assume are owned by the ladies I’m meant to meet. Gracious, I’m actually about to have a business meeting with two successful women about a partnership.

Once the car is stopped close to the front walk, the driver comes around and lets me out. I offer him a tip, but he declines. “It’s been my pleasure, Miss Renn. Enjoy your morning.”

Nervous energy blasts through my system, and I must fight the urge to chase the car down the drive, beg the driver to take me back to my safe little apartment, and drown in my failures. It’s too late for that now, so I adjust my shirt and stare up the front stairs at the massive, solid wood front door. The brick home is inviting despite its size, with warm wood accents, bronze hardware, and deep green shutters that appear to be functional and not merely for décor.

I climb the stairs and work to stave off the usual dread that nothing can be this good and this easy. At the door, I’m unsure whether I should knock, ring the bell, or use the massive knocker. I settle for the bell and wait.

As the door creaks open, I half expect a butler of some sort to escort me through the home, but to my relief, Koa eases my nerves with a broad smile.

“Welcome to my home. Everyone is on the patio.”

“Everyone?” I enter his home as he steps aside, unprepared for the cozy warmth. It’s more colonial than bachelor pad with a large stone fireplace, oak floors, and heavy rugs. It feels as if I stepped into autumn, even while the temperature climbs outside.

“Layne and her husband and Sarah Beth. You know Andrew and Lottie. Katie and Spencer showed up uninvited, but that’s pretty usual for them.”

I know that Spencer is on the team with Koa, and knowing Andrew and Lottie are here helps calm my frazzled nerves a little. The worst thing that can happen is they meet me, decide I’m not what they want, and decline to bring me in on the business. Okay, that’s actually pretty bad.

“Come on out, and I’ll introduce you. I hope it’s okay that we’re just doing a good, old-fashioned cookout?” Koa pauses and looks back at me. “I thought you might be more comfortable in a friends and family sort of setting.”

I breathe deeply and nod. “After the few weeks I’ve had, that is probably a good idea.”

“Perfect. Come on, let me show you the pool. I’m not sure why, but it’s shaped like a dog bone. It doesn’t really match the house, but the pool was here when I bought it.”

“A dog bone?”

“Yep.” He pushes open two French doors that lead to a massive covered patio. A group of ladies sit off to one side while the guys seem to be debating how to grill hot dogs. Koa presents his pool to me with wide arms.

It is, in fact, shaped like a dog bone. “That is something else. It really is a bone. How strange.”

“Evalina!” Lottie waves from the shadiest side of the patio with the other ladies. I wave back, prompting Koa to introduce me to the strangers.

“You know Lottie. This is Layne and this is Sarah Beth.”

I knew Layne the second I laid eyes on her. She and Andrew look so much alike, he couldn’t deny her if he wanted to. Sarah Beth, however, looks nothing like her brother, but her sweet smile sets me even more at ease.