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

about my slipping back into my old habits has me irritated and wanting to prove him wrong, regardless of whether he says he doesn’t believe that. I’m not a fuckup, nor will I ever be again.

I’ll go there, break this bad luck streak, and put all of that to rest.

Oliver looks relieved that I agreed so readily. “Good . . . because Mindy’s pregnant again. It’ll be a huge weight off my shoulders.”

The news hits me like a punch in the chest. I’ve loved being Uncle to Oliver’s two children. “Congrats, man! When did you find out?”

“About two hours before I found out about the Hawaii deal,” Oliver says. “It was like a double-whammy.”

“Damn, that must be something,” Caleb says. “I can’t imagine having kids right now.”

Oliver grins. “They’re a handful, that’s for sure.” He clears his throat, his gaze returning to me. “So yeah, I’d be going with you if not for that. But I’m counting on you to make this happen, brother.”

“Don’t sweat it. The deal is as good as done.” I nod at Caleb. “And what role does he play in all of this?”

“I’ve hired him for Steele Solutions. He’s smart, and he’s helped me on some other properties that needed rehabbing. He’s got an eye for creative ways to solve problems as I’m sure you know from your complete disregard for rules for most of your lives. He’s going to be your wingman, not for chicks like you used to do, but for this… With the two of you working together, you should have no problem closing this deal.”Hannah

“Does this make me look fat?” I ask Roxy, stepping out of the dressing room. It’s a black dress that hugs my curves, but it’s still professional and businesslike.

“You look like every horny office worker’s wet dream.”

I roll my eyes even as I agree with Roxy. I do look smoking in this. We’re inside Neiman Marcus, checking out new outfits for me. I checked the weather, Hawaii’s total tank top and short shorts weather, which I already own, but I need a couple of tropical weight business outfits that won’t break the bank. I don’t know what this Wesley Mobber guy is like, but I want to make sure I look my best. “Come on, seriously, Rox. Do you think this is too sexy?”

Roxy stares at me for a moment before leaning so far forward in her seat to get a good look at my butt that I think she’s gonna fall and faceplant. She taps a finger to her lips. “Hmm, I seem to recall a certain person always talking about my big ass, but it looks like you’ve been on a Krispy Kreme vacation lately. Got a little more sand in your hourglass.”

I scowl. I know she’s joking, but she’s right. I’ve been eating unhealthy lately, and while it hasn’t been Krispy Kreme, I have done my fair share of late-night Taco Bell runs. But I haven’t put on more than five pounds. At least I think . . . I’ve been avoiding my scale. “Hey! I’ve been busy and I’ve gotten in too much of a habit of picking up something quick to eat! It’s not fun cooking for a party of one.”

Roxy laughs. “You know I’m just playing. You look beautiful, and you’ve filled out in all the right places, actually. Besides, I’m not one to talk. I’ve found a couple of new lovers by the name of Ben and Jerry. Jake doesn’t mind. He’s freaky like that.”

I laugh. Roxy knows how to make me feel good. “Yeah, but you have a reason. You’re pregnant.”

“Speaking of which,” Roxy says, rubbing her belly. “I’m having urges now. Baby’s saying we want some Chinese, and I saw a Panda Express in the food court.”

Before I can reply, Cassie comes out of the dressing room beside me in a two-tone, two-piece bikini. I brought her along for the shopping trip as a chance to get to know her as more than Myra’s Minion, and I’m sort of regretting it. She nearly talked our head off on the way here, starting with telling Roxy how much she loves Heartstopper, Roxy’s hit song, as soon as she realized that my friend really is that Roxy.

“Wa-la!” Cassie says, throwing her arms up and doing a little twirl. “How do I look?”

Roxy places a hand over her mouth, trying to contain the giggles. “My God, leave something to the imagination. I think I can see your uterus.”

“Brings a whole new meaning to ‘camel toe’,” I agree. “I don’t know if I’m looking at a muffin or an apricot. By the way, speaking of fruit, that split peach ass of yours is a total no-go.”

Cassie places her hands on her hips and huffs in exasperation while stomping her feet. “Dang it! I really liked this one, too!” With another twirl of her barely covered butt cheeks, she goes back into the dressing room.

I shake my head after she closes the door. “Lord, help me. Was I ever that young?”

“She seems like a nice girl,” Roxy whispers. “A little cheeky.”

I make a face. Roxy’s puns are horrible. “Yeah, she’s nice. But she talks so much that she drives me nuts. You saw how she was in the car on the way here. It’s just how she is, talk, talk, talk, then flash those dimples, and boom, she gets away with it.”

“I hear you guys talking about me!” Cassie yells over the dressing room door.

“We’re just talking about how sweet you are,” I say. “How you bring so much to the office.”

“Mhmm. Sure. By the way, I do have more than dimples! I’m just smart enough to know when and how to use them for the biggest bang for my buck.”

Roxy chuckles. “She seems fun.” Leaning back, she rubs her belly and sighs wistfully. “Hawaii. I sure wish I could go, but Jake would never go for it with my being pregnant. He’s turned into a mother hen worrying about me. If I say