14. Small towns run on old friends and nepotism

FOURTEEN

Parker James has created a group chat

Top Secret Mission - Don't Tell Del

Lottie:

I don't want any part of this, James.

Lori:

What is this?

Maria:

Hiiiii everyone!

Holly:

I'm feeling conflicted.

Parker:

Don't even think about it, Holly

Holly:

She named her BABY after ME.

Maybe I should be the father.

Ididn't think dinner with my family could have gone any better. For me, the next part of my plan was obvious, but I needed to call in a few favors to lock it in. Since Del had work to do, she let me take Lily for the day. I was kind of surprised she took me up on my offer, but I wanted to prove myself. I'd take advantage of any time I got with Lily.

The baby carrier strapped to my chest felt like a bullet proof vest, except for the part where I was supposed to protect Lily, not the other way around. We attracted a few curious looks as we walked down Mainstreet, but what else would you expect from a cute baby and her hot dad? After a quick stop at my parents' house, we were quite the dynamic duo in our pink sweatshirts and black joggers. We were going into today as a team, and we looked the part. Del insisted I take the diaper bag everywhere, but I was pretty sure it would be fine in the truck for a quick visit. A bulky backpack would totally cramp our style.

I pulled the door to Hamilton Reik Realty open and the bell above my head jingled.

"How can I help you?" The receptionist didn't look up from where she was busy typing on her laptop.

"Is Asa in today?" I approached the desk and tapped my fingers on the wood.

"I think she's booked full today. Can I…" The girl glanced up. She looked young, maybe 19 or 20. I didn't recognize her though, so she was either new to town or younger than I assumed. "Oh! You're Parker James, I… I'm a really big fan." She was flustered, and the words came tumbling out.

I smiled even though I wanted to cringe. My job came with responsibilities like this—being nice to random people I didn't want to talk to. Well, not that I didn't want to talk to them. It was more that they didn't want to talk to the normal me. They wanted confident and cocky Parker James, the MLB player. It was hard to be "on" all the time.

"It's nice to meet you." I looked down at the nameplate on the counter. "Jane. Asa is an old friend, and I was hoping to take a few minutes of her time today."

"You can have as much of my time as you need Mr. James." Asa Hamilton looked like a real professional when she strutted into the room in a pantsuit. I hadn't seen her since high school, and it was weird that we were all grown up. "How's the golden boy of Roe?"

I waved her off. "I hate when people say that."

She shrugged. "Heavy is the head and all that shit. What can I help you with? Who is this cute little thing?" Her gaze caught on Lily and she got that doe-eyed look that women get around babies.

"Well, that's what I wanted to talk about. You owe me a favor. I need you to show me a property today."

She took a deep breath and blew it out. "Never a dull moment with you." She turned to the receptionist. "Clear my afternoon please, Jane." She started walking back down the direction she came from. "Let's go Mr. James. We have much to discuss." She led me down a short hallway before turning into a moderately sized office that was much more toned down than I expected.

"This is your office?" I asked in disbelief. I took in the neutral walls and black finishes. Her real estate license hung opposite her desk surrounded by family portraits, one of which I was in. Other than that, the room lacked almost any character.

"What, not big enough for you, hotshot? I bet you get that a lot." I sent her a pointed look and she continued. "Roe isn't as fancy as Seattle, you know."

"I wasn't talking about the size. It's just not what I pictured. I mean I've seen your room."

She lifted an eyebrow. "At my parents' house? That I decorated when I was 15?"

"Yeah it looked like a unicorn threw up in there. This looks like the office of a 50-year-old man."

She rolled her eyes. "It would be hard for people to take me seriously if I had a sparkly chandelier and pink fuzzy chair in here, don't you think? It's hard enough being a woman in her 20s in real estate. Working for my dad."

I shrugged. "Sounds like a them problem."

"Whatever, let me see this precious baby of yours."

I cocked my head at her. "A little presumptuous, don't you think?"

"You're wearing matching outfits." She lifted a shoulder. "And Holly called me on her drive back to school last night."

I should have figured that. Asa was a year older than Holly, and her sister Abby was a year older than me. Our dads were college roommates, and we were practically raised as cousins. Their lake house was right next to ours, and we spent every summer together, even though they went to school in the next town over. Billy owned the real estate company with his business partner Liam Reik.

"Hand over the baby." She made grabby hands, and the prim woman that strutted into the lobby had fully transformed back into the Asa I knew.

I unbuckled Lily and did as asked. Asa, Del, and Holly loved ganging up on me when we were younger. Del was the enforcer while Holly and Asa climbed all over me to get braids in my hair. I'd let it grow almost to my shoulders in junior high, and they took full advantage, making me their mannequin.

"Damn she's cute. Not surprising though, Del's a stunner." She settled Lily on her lap and squinted at me.

"What the hell are you looking at?"

"Just trying to see what attracted Del to you." Her lips twitched once, twice, and then she couldn't contain her laughter.

"Rude. Can you help me or not? Baby snuggles aren't free."

"Maybe you could start by telling me what you're looking for and we could see how much you're pre-approved for?"

"I'm not worried about that."

"Oh right, fancy pants. I forgot you're made of money now." She tapped her chin and looked at Lily like they were conspiring against me. "I'm upping my commission."

"Fine with me. Can you tell me who bought Del's grandpa's house?"

"Yeah, but it's?—"

"Take me to see it. I want to buy it from them." She looked at me like I was crazy. "Please."

She banded an arm around Lily and reached for her phone.

"What? Gotta call daddy to bring out the big guns?" I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms, feeling smug.

"I'm not calling my dad you asshat." She rolled her eyes. "It was Liam's property."