“Good to see you.” Harlow waves.
Mandy sends her a tentative smile. “Is it? You don’t hate me?”
The brunette tsks. “I thought we’d get inside before we dove into the heavy stuff, but…what the hell? No, I don’t hate you. I don’t understand because I’ve always known my dad was an unfeeling, womanizing douche. And if I’d known you had a crush on him—”
“It was more than a crush.”
Harlow’s face softens. “Obviously. If I’d known, I would have told you the truth about him long before anything happened between you two. But”—she smiles brightly—“then we wouldn’t have Oliver.” She crouches and holds out her arms to the little boy.
I’m surprised when he goes right to her. When Harlow picks him up, their identical eyes make it obvious they’re both Barclay Reed’s kids.
“Nice to finally meet you,” Mandy says to Noah.
“Likewise. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Hopefully some of it was good.” She’s only half joking.
“Most. The rest? That’s just Harlow being Harlow.” He winks.
“That’s always been true.” Mandy manages a grin, looking a bit less tense.
“What?” Harlow shrugs. “I’m just slightly opinionated.”
They both turn to her with astonished expressions. “Slightly?”
Laughing, I stick out my hand to Noah. “Tanner Kirk. It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Weston.”
“Just Noah. Nice to meet you, too. Beer?”
I don’t care that I’ll have to restrict myself to a couple of sips. I’m talking to Noah freaking Weston. “That sounds great.”
The women head inside the humongous oceanside mansion. It’s like something out of a magazine, and I try not to gawk. Just…wow. Mandy seems unruffled by it all, which confirms again that she grew up uber wealthy. I still wonder what she’s doing with me. I’m never going to be able to give her half of this luxury. On the other hand, she’s had the slick, wealthy guy. I have to believe she’d ten times rather have something real. If that’s what she wants, she’s with the right man.
“Any preference?” Noah asks as he opens the fridge. “Trace subscribed me to some beer-of-the-month club for my birthday, so I’ve got a collection.”
It’s a little surreal that I’m standing in the kitchen of a future NFL Hall-of-Famer whom I’ve watched on TV many a past Sunday. But in person, he just seems like a typical dude. “I’m easy. Surprise me.”
He shrugs and hands me a pale ale. According to the label, it’s brewed in Belgium and has a pear flavor. It’s not like anything I’ve ever had, but why not?
Noah lifts a similar bottle, this one flavored with grapefruit. “Cheers.”
We clink bottles as the women gather on the far side of the expansive kitchen. “Cheers. Amazing place you’ve got.”
“Maxon and Griff sold it to me. That’s how I met Harlow. When I arrived on the island, she was housesitting—in a red bikini. How could I say no?”
I smile and sneak a glance over at Mandy. She and Harlow are talking quietly. I can’t read either woman’s face, but the conversation seems intense.
“So my brother tells me you’re bodyguarding Amanda?”
I jerk my gaze back to him. “Yeah.”
“Any trouble last night?”
“It was quiet.” I glance at Mandy again, who now looks teary. It takes all my willpower not to cross the room and wrap a supportive arm around her. “Is Harlow going to forgive her?” Noah may tell me to fuck off…but I hope he won’t. “It would mean the world to Mandy. She’s been through a lot.”
“Mandy, huh?” His glance is full of speculation. I ignore his unspoken question. “Yeah. My wife understands quite well what it means to be young and to fall for a player. She’s not mad at Amanda. Did she hope that maybe the friend she’s had her whole life would want to talk sooner? Invite her to meet her baby brother? Sure. But she’s not so hurt that it will end their friendship unless Amanda wants it to.”
I shake my head. “I think she’ll be thrilled to spend time with Harlow once she knows she’s welcome.”
“We talked to Griff last night, and he told us about Amanda’s apology. It gave Harlow hope that they could be friends again.”
“Mandy would like that. I think she’s going to move here.”
“With you? Because the way you’re looking at her, I’m thinking you’re more than her bodyguard.”
It’s none of his business, but I’m betting that he and his wife could be allies. “I’d like to be, and she knows it.”
“From what Harlow told me, Amanda needs and deserves someone who will be honest, faithful, and devoted to her. Can you be all that?”
“Yes, but the ball is in her court.”
“Wrong sport for me…” Noah smiles. “But let me know if I can help.”
“Harlow told Mandy you two would be willing to watch Oliver for a few hours. I know you’ve got your own baby and your mother and—”
“I’ve also got extra hands here today. Nia and her husband’s best friend, Sebastian, are hosting some super-secret meeting for the executive management of Evan’s company, Stratus, in our ohana out back. But they’ll be breaking shortly. You looking to slip away for a romantic afternoon?”
It would be nice, but… “My primary goal is to get in more self-defense and target practice. Mandy is determined to learn how to defend herself when the need arises again.”
“Sounds like a good idea. And if she’s worried about Oliver’s safety, there are five adults in this house, plus the guard outside. Trace should have told y’all to come here when the shit went down at Nia’s place.”
“Mandy will probably take you up on the offer to keep Oliver for a few hours, but she would refuse to stay here when she’s a target. She doesn’t want to bring trouble to you or anyone else she loves. I’m sure she appreciates the thought, but we’re fine where we are.”
“And I imagine you’re more alone with her wherever you’re
