Read Online Boyfriend for Hire by Gail Chianese - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Gail Chianese
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that could seat all ten of them. The men sat in a circle discussing baseball while poor Alex chased after Tomas, trying to dry him off.
Man, for only being two years old, he could haul.
Baby Sofia sat in her swing, giggling at the antics of her brother. The older boys, Georgie and Danny, were both still playing in the small pool. Heading over, Tawny grabbed two towels, snapped her fingers, and pointed to the spot in front of her. Both grumbled, but neither took their time getting out.
Seemed Tawny had a bit of her mom in her after all, which scared the bejeebers out of her. A small step in the wrong direction and good-bye career, hello pregnant and slaving away in the kitchen. No identity left, simply so-and-so’s mom or wife. Kill her now.
Motherhood was fine. Her mom or Alex, they were naturals. Always knew what to do, what to say to break up a fight or calm a crying child. They could juggle a dozen and half tasks at one time without breaking a sweat. They adored being Mrs. Jorge/George Torres, letting their husbands make all the decisions, or so they said.
Granted, letting someone else deal with a clogged toilet once in a while sounded like heaven, but not at the cost of losing herself.
Quickly Tawny dried off both boys and sent them to jump on their abuelo ’s lap, wet suits and all. Tawny headed back in for the rest of the table settings. Before she hit the step a peal of laughter rang through the air, along with the confession that Tía Tawny made them do it.
Stoolpigeons.
Mama stood in the middle of the kitchen eyeing the food. She was probably trying to decide if she’d made enough, which she had if they were feeding a small country. Tawny dropped a kiss on her mother’s cheek, hoisted the tray laden with food, and headed back out the door.
She’d no sooner got out the door than all the men moved from their man-circle to the table and sat waiting for her. You’d think one of the Neanderthals could have taken the heavy tray for her. Nope, not the cavemen in her family.
Her father sat at the head of the table, with George on one side and Mateo on the other. Danny and Tomas were sandwiched between their parents, and Baby Sofia sat in her high chair at the other end. Next to Mateo their mother would sit, then Georgie and finally Tawny across from Alex. Had Dante been home, he would have sat next to their father. It was all very medieval when you really thought about it.
Tawny and her mother dished out the food and ran back and forth for forgotten items while Alex took care of the children. It was loud, chaotic, and normal.
The men talked about manly stuff, never once bringing or even trying to bring the women into the conversation. Fine by her, she was too busy trying to convince Georgie to eat his beans and dodging bits of unrecognizable flying food from her niece.
Note to self: strike “have kids” from life plan .
“Tawny, how’s work going? Did your new boss announce your promotion yet?” Her father’s words sank her food to the bottom of her stomach faster than a speeding torpedo. There was no way she could tell them what had really happened, not unless she wanted to see her father or one of her brothers in an orange jumpsuit.
The rest of the table had gone unnaturally quiet. Alex busied herself with the children on either side of her. George looked skyward and Mateo, her protector, stared, totally fascinated with his plate. Mama didn’t say a word, simply kept eating.
“It’s, uh, you know, work. Keeping me busy.” Man, she hated lying to her family, but they wouldn’t understand. They never understood her desire to have a career, to support herself and be independent, and they sure wouldn’t understand her not reporting her boss’s actions and quitting.
Her father tapped the tips of his fingers against each other, eyes locked with hers. “I stopped in yesterday. I didn’t see your name plate on your desk.” He continued tapping his fingers. “Nor did I see it on any
Man, for only being two years old, he could haul.
Baby Sofia sat in her swing, giggling at the antics of her brother. The older boys, Georgie and Danny, were both still playing in the small pool. Heading over, Tawny grabbed two towels, snapped her fingers, and pointed to the spot in front of her. Both grumbled, but neither took their time getting out.
Seemed Tawny had a bit of her mom in her after all, which scared the bejeebers out of her. A small step in the wrong direction and good-bye career, hello pregnant and slaving away in the kitchen. No identity left, simply so-and-so’s mom or wife. Kill her now.
Motherhood was fine. Her mom or Alex, they were naturals. Always knew what to do, what to say to break up a fight or calm a crying child. They could juggle a dozen and half tasks at one time without breaking a sweat. They adored being Mrs. Jorge/George Torres, letting their husbands make all the decisions, or so they said.
Granted, letting someone else deal with a clogged toilet once in a while sounded like heaven, but not at the cost of losing herself.
Quickly Tawny dried off both boys and sent them to jump on their abuelo ’s lap, wet suits and all. Tawny headed back in for the rest of the table settings. Before she hit the step a peal of laughter rang through the air, along with the confession that Tía Tawny made them do it.
Stoolpigeons.
Mama stood in the middle of the kitchen eyeing the food. She was probably trying to decide if she’d made enough, which she had if they were feeding a small country. Tawny dropped a kiss on her mother’s cheek, hoisted the tray laden with food, and headed back out the door.
She’d no sooner got out the door than all the men moved from their man-circle to the table and sat waiting for her. You’d think one of the Neanderthals could have taken the heavy tray for her. Nope, not the cavemen in her family.
Her father sat at the head of the table, with George on one side and Mateo on the other. Danny and Tomas were sandwiched between their parents, and Baby Sofia sat in her high chair at the other end. Next to Mateo their mother would sit, then Georgie and finally Tawny across from Alex. Had Dante been home, he would have sat next to their father. It was all very medieval when you really thought about it.
Tawny and her mother dished out the food and ran back and forth for forgotten items while Alex took care of the children. It was loud, chaotic, and normal.
The men talked about manly stuff, never once bringing or even trying to bring the women into the conversation. Fine by her, she was too busy trying to convince Georgie to eat his beans and dodging bits of unrecognizable flying food from her niece.
Note to self: strike “have kids” from life plan .
“Tawny, how’s work going? Did your new boss announce your promotion yet?” Her father’s words sank her food to the bottom of her stomach faster than a speeding torpedo. There was no way she could tell them what had really happened, not unless she wanted to see her father or one of her brothers in an orange jumpsuit.
The rest of the table had gone unnaturally quiet. Alex busied herself with the children on either side of her. George looked skyward and Mateo, her protector, stared, totally fascinated with his plate. Mama didn’t say a word, simply kept eating.
“It’s, uh, you know, work. Keeping me busy.” Man, she hated lying to her family, but they wouldn’t understand. They never understood her desire to have a career, to support herself and be independent, and they sure wouldn’t understand her not reporting her boss’s actions and quitting.
Her father tapped the tips of his fingers against each other, eyes locked with hers. “I stopped in yesterday. I didn’t see your name plate on your desk.” He continued tapping his fingers. “Nor did I see it on any
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