"Kinda late in the day for coffee, don't you think?" Harvey strides in, with Summer behind.

They have no idea. I'm full up on coffee today. Almost jittery. "Just pre making it for tomorrow morning for ya."

Summer snorts and my dad rolls his eyes. They both know I'm full of shit.

"You weren't very nice to her, Cade," is his next comment. And now it's my turn to roll my eyes. "In fact you've been a challenge with this entire process."

Crossing my arms, I lean back against the counter. "I'm not very nice. And I'll happily be a challenge about protecting my kid." I swear my dad's lips twitch when he sits down at the table. Summer just stands, hip propped against the doorframe, staring at me. She does this and it's unnerving.

She doesn't miss a beat. I swear I hear the gears turning in her head, but she doesn't have a big mouth, you never quite know what she's thinking.

I like her and I'm glad my little brother was smart enough to put a ring on it.

"You're nice." she says thoughtfully, "in your own way." I clamp my teeth onto my lip because I don't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing I'm amused by that comment.

She sighs. "Listen, that's everyone we've interviewed. I went out of my way to weed out the applicants who seemed less interested in spending time with Luke and more interested in spending time with you."

“Hoo boy" Dad slaps the table "and there were several. Who knew women would willingly sign up to endure your scowls and bad moods? The pay isn't that good"

I scowl at him before turming my attention back to Summer. "You didn’t weed thoroughly enough. I want someone who has zero interest in me.” I grunt. "What about someone from another town? Someone who doesn't know our family. And all my shit. Someone who hasn't slept with one of my brothers." My nose wrinkles. "Or my dad."

Harvey makes a little choking sound, almost a laugh. "I've been single for decades, son. Mind your business."

“What About my friend, {{user}}” summer asked.