“I’ve already made up my mind. I’ll find another way to keepScarlett safe.”
“You’re a great uncle. And I’m not going to get in the way ofthat.” She grabbed both my hands. “And I hope you do find another way to keepher safe.”
“I will. And in the meantime we can…”
“No. In the meantime nothing. We can’t do anything until youhave a backup plan in place. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to Scarlett.Not because of me. I already live with so much guilt because of what I said toBrooklyn…”
“Brooklyn knew you didn’t hate her.”
“Did she though?” A tear ran down Kennedy’s cheek. “Because Inever got a chance to apologize.”
“She knew, Kennedy. She knew.”
Kennedy took a shaky breath.
“Is everything alright?” Penny asked.
Kennedy took a step away from me and wiped beneath her eyes. “Yes,”she said with a laugh. “Matt just made me laugh so hard I was literallycrying.”
Penny smiled. She was patting Liam on the back and he madethe most adorable little burping noise.
I would have said “aw” if I hadn’t just made fun of James forthinking it was cute.
“Excuse you, baby boy,” Penny said and kissed the top of hishead. “I’m so sorry, I’m being rude. Can I get either of you something to drinkor anything?”
“Your hands are full,” Kennedy said. “I should be offeringyou something to drink.”
Penny laughed. “Thank you, but I’m okay. I’m just going to goput this one down. But before I do…” she looked back and forth between us. “Ihave to ask. Please tell me you two are dating.”
I glanced at Kennedy, who looked down at the ground.
“We’re just friends,” I said. Every time I said it, it killedme a little more.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” Penny said. “I feel like I keepjumping to wild conclusions that are wrong.”
“It’s fine, Penny,” I said.
“So you’re not dating Kennedy,” Penny said. “Or anyone else?”
“Nope.”
“Definitely not me,” Kennedy said. “We’ve been friends forforever. It would just be…weird. Right?” she said and looked up at me.
I swallowed hard. “Right.”
“If you’ll excuse me.” Kennedy left Penny and me alone in thekitchen.
Penny sighed. “Being your matchmaker is hard work. Saygoodnight, Liam.” She turned around so I could see Liam’s cute little face.
I booped him on the nose and he burped.
Awww.
“I’m exhausted so I’m going to call it an early night too. Itwas nice seeing Kennedy again. I’m sad that she’s not the one for you.”
I wanted to tell her that she was right. That Kennedy was theone for me. But I held my tongue. I felt guilty for hiding another secret fromher. I was pretty sure Mason had already told Bee about Brooklyn by now. AndRob had probably told Daphne. I’d asked them to let me tell Penny though. Andit didn’t seem like she knew yet. I was lucky that they hadn’t spilled it atgirls’ night. I’d tell Penny soon. But not right here where our friends couldprobably overhear.
Before Penny left the kitchen, she turned around. “You knowwhat? Let’s have dinner. You and me tomorrow night.”
Well that was easy. Tomorrow would be a perfect chance totell her everything. “Sure. That sounds great.” I already felt a littlerelieved. Penny was right. Secrets sucked.
She gave me a weird grin. “Despite what James thinks, I’mpretty sure I have everything figured out.”
Wait, what? “I have no idea what you’re talkingabout.”
“I know. It’s a surprise. Besides, I owe you an apologydinner after freaking out on you about Poppy. James told me you’re doing it forScarlett. And you know we’re both so grateful. Really, I can’t thank you enoughfor putting yourself into this mess. Dinner is the least I can do. See you tomorrownight.”
“Goodnight, Penny.” I shoved my hands into my pockets as shewalked out of the room. And my fingers collided with a piece of paper. I pulledout one of the notes Nigel had put in my lunch. I had no idea where the washingmachine was in Tanner’s apartment and didn’t feel comfortable asking Nigel aboutit. I was pretty sure he’d insist on washing all my stuff himself and dosomething strange with my boxers or something. So I’d worn the same pants a fewdays this week. And it was a damn good thing I had.
Because I was pretty sure Nigel was the answer to all myproblems. He was a sneaky little man who would literally do anything for me. AsTanner had put it, serving people was Nigel’s sole purpose in life. Nigel hadtold me if I ever needed anything all I had to do was text him. And I neededhis help to bring Poppy down.
Chapter 41
Friday
I pulled out my phone, ignored the unread messages fromPoppy, and shot Nigel a text. “I need your help with something.”
His response came immediately. “Mr. Caldwell? Is that you?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be right there. I just need to dry off.”
I hoped he meant he’d been swimming again. And not that hewas bathing and texting me right now. Or something somehow worse than that. “Noneed. I can just text you,” I wrote back.
“I only need 15 minutes. Please, Mr. Caldwell. Let me come toyou. Let me serve you properly.”
First I had to see if he could even help. “Do you haveconnections to other house managers?” I wasn’t really sure of Nigel’s officialtitle. Surely he didn’t consider himself a houseboy or whatever Tanner calledhim.
“Every single one on the Upper East Side,” he replied. “And severalothers. And all of them know several others. I have access to anyone you desire.At a moment’s notice.”
“Do you know Poppy Cannavaro’s house manager?”
“Yes, sir.”
Perfect. I really hoped I wouldn’t regret this. “Great.I’m at James’ place.”
“I know.”
Creepy. “I’ll meet you outside in 15 then.”
“I won’t be tardy.”
I have no idea why, but I had a feeling he’d resisted texting,“And if I am tardy, punish me.” I shoved my phone into my pocket and headedback out into the great room. I glanced at the texts from Poppy. Two justasking me when I was coming. I shot her one back saying I’d be there in anhour.
Kennedy was laughing when I
