Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

death warmed over, while the rest of the family at least looks like they’re enjoying the good food the kitchen has to offer. Mindy goes in, giving her grandmother a kiss on the cheek, then her mom.

“Y’all look good this morning,” Mary Jo says, her eyes sparkling as she takes us in. “You certainly got up on the right side of the bed this morning.”

She most certainly did. On my side.

“Thank you!” Mindy chirps, and I feel a tremor inside. “You look good too, Mom. Everyone’s looking happy this morning. Except Uncle Charles, but at least you got some early morning swag going on with that getup.”

Rita gives her niece a look. “Swag? You are blind, girl. More like sag.”

I nudge Mindy a little. I told her to act normal, not try to distract by overcompensating.

Thankfully, Mindy takes my nudge and shuts up, still smiling. “You sure are happy this morning,” Roxy remarks. “You guys must have really rocked the boat last night. Nice job, Captain Oliver. I’m so jealous. I’m about to go down to the beach and find me a nice cabana boy.”

I love how this family just rolls with all of Roxy’s antics, paying her no mind. I guess after both Mindy and Roxy, they’re used to it. John’s certainly adapted quickly.

“Hey, Oliver, let’s make sure Mary Jo’s got us cleared for free time,” John says from the front of the table. “I’d love to give you more rides in my pride and joy. My Honey’s to-do list is longer than what I get some days at the office.”

“I’m not that bad,” Mary Jo says. “I’m just . . .”

Suddenly, Mary Jo stops mid-sentence and glances around. “Where’s Bertha?”

“Hopefully, stuck on a beach raft and floating away in the ocean,” Ivy Jo mutters.

“I gave her to Mindy and Oliver last night so she could sleep with them,” Roxy says, looking over at us.

Mindy glances at me, but I’m already on it.

“We let her out in the middle of the night. She was clawing at the door and whining,” I say smoothly.

“Well then, where is she?” Mary Jo asks, worried. “She never misses breakfast.”

“Calm down, Mary Jo,” John says. “She’s probably just playing in the garden like she did when she got out over St. Paddy’s Day, remember?”

She ignores him. “Bertha!” she calls, “Where are you, honey?”

“Act normal,” I whisper in Mindy’s ear. I can see the nervousness on her face. “Mary Jo, Mindy and I will find her after breakfast. Don’t worry, I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.”

It settles her enough, and we finish our breakfast in peace. After we’re done, Mindy and I go to our room, trying not to practically run. Bertha’s still there, her tail flapping around. That’s a good sign at least.

Mindy picks her up and tries to cover her with a blanket, but Bertha hates it and squirms so much that I’m worried she’ll raise a fuss if we insist. Finally, I grab a towel and throw it over my shoulder, taking Bertha and holding her in my arms so that the towel lies over her and mostly obscures her.

“Let’s go,” I say. “You take the lead.”

I feel fucking ridiculous trying to sneak out of the house with a little dog. But still, this shit is funny, and I can’t help it, I start humming the Mission: Impossible theme under my breath as we make our way down the stairs. We’re clear all the way to the back lawn when Roxy’s suddenly on our ass.

“Hey guys! You guys . . .”

I try to hide Bertha, but the dog lets out a little bark, alerting Roxy, and she stops, smiling for a moment before giving us a suspicious look. “Bertha! Mom has been looking all over for her.”

“We found her. Taking her for a walk,” Mindy says, hoping to end the conversation.

“Can I come?” Roxy asks excitedly, seeming to ignore the fact that I’m carrying Bertha.

“Uh . . . no,” Mindy says, giving me a desperate glance.

Roxy scowls. “Why not?”

“Because we’d like a little couple time to ourselves,” I say with a fake embarrassed chuckle. “A nice walk with our little friend here.”

Roxy can't come up with a reason to argue. “Well, give me her if you’re so intent on being with each other. I’ll take her to Mom and you two can go get your outdoor freak on.”

Mindy glances at me, at a loss for words. I think quickly and shake my head. “Actually, Rox, I told your mom I’d find her. I could use the rub on my rep.”

Roxy gives me a grin and a nod. “Okay, okay. Buttering up to Mom some, huh? I don’t think you need it, but whatever. Have at it.”

Roxy goes inside, and Mindy shakes her head when she’s gone. “Why couldn’t she have just listened to me from the get go?”

“Little sisters never listen to big sisters. And what can I say? I have that charm the ladies love.”

I expect some sort of rebuttal but she lowers her lashes. Her reply is almost too soft to be heard. “Yes, you do.”

We walk down to the beach, and as soon as we’re out of sight of the house, I squat down, setting Bertha down. She walks around, sniffing everything, but definitely not interested in pooping yet.

“Fuck me,” Mindy groans, then laughs at her words. “No matter what Roxy said, that’s not an invitation. Not yet.”

“Later,” I remind her, and we start walking. “So, Mindy Price, tell me about yourself. I mean, beyond what I know.”

“If you tell me about you,” she says, looking so sexy in her sundress that I forget for a moment the reason we’re down here. “What do you want to know?”

“Fair,” I reply, grinning. “So . . . first kiss. How old were you?”

“Eighteen,” Mindy says, and I stop, gawking.

“What, did they send you to an all-girls’ school or something?” I ask, trying to imagine how a girl as beautiful as Mindy Price got all the way to eighteen without even kissing