v

ome work done, pouring myself a glass of scotch with a single, large cube of ice. I spend about an h

Reed-whichever of them has a

ith me. It's an expensive single-malt that I k

ed at t

m inside. "Come on in. Is Decl

rack by the door. "You know how things are with him lately-between h

ting direction and his recent engagement to the love of his life, Declan hasn't been as easy to reach as usua

as we're setting up

Reed smirks. "Or

ring a well-fitting, tailored shirt that I'm p

, talk shit. You were just as likely

I'm not in love." He draws out the word

flash him a wink, and he grins at me. He knows Reed doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Declan raises an eyebrow. "For your in

e-tonight. But don't act like you

ys simply. "Between that and work, I've been stretched a little thin lat

fle the deck. "Where's your

deal out the first two cards to each of us. "Sophie wants me to choose,

s out in front of him. He gives me a false look of dismay, h

ry to wave him down, but he

, enthused. "What's more

there's no way in hell we're going to Can

rong with

, and he says, "Well, the fact that

Reed d

ay, almost absent-mindedly, as I fold up

, "At least I'm not chained down like you." The

n't give you the time of day," Declan teases. "And all

scoffing-until Declan pulls his phon

you doing?

a round of laughter from me and a horrified Reed

an expensive scotch. Don't spill it.

up from his phone. "Are we putting you out? Ah, here we go-" He turns aroun

o rub his forehead. "God, I was hop

you brought to Nora's party, I didn't thi

upscale Eastwood hotel chain, an international franchise, he's often rubbing shoulders

oid-fodder romantic trysts with unattainable w

mutters. "Isabella F

t, sniffing. "Not that it

leans over to show me the pictures, and I snort in amusement at the shot of Reed, his shirt hal

d. At six foot three, he towers over the woman, who looks familiar from some recent

" I ask idly, raisi

I'm glad you asked that. She was

f you?" De

ed smiles, pleased with himself. "Come on,

. "You're a sai

ig of scotch, seeming

ng mess," Dec

, lover boy,

er here just to give each other shit?"

dmits, "but I guess we can play poker while we'

te up, g

ss a chip into the center of the tabl

the side, then start to deal out the next round. For a while, it

, so I clear my thr

, tossing another

is eyes from me to Reed, deep in though

of a stovetop, and play returns to me. While I'm placing ne

interviews with nannies today,

it was a fucking nightm

. "How bad c

ted with any kids in their entire lives." I think back to some of my interviews from earlier in the day. "Ugh, th

Declan says sy

she had eight years of early childhood care experience, but when s

mile along with them. As frustrating as

Reed says confidently.

the street earlier today, but she lingers in my thoughts

t I've already found the p