<h4>Chapter 145: Seduce Him</h4>


    Reba


    I sink back into the plush couch, stretching my arms wide along the top of the cushions, feeling the soft fabric beneath my fingertips. Josh narrows his eyes, pointing a finger at me as if he’s trying to summon the perfect words to make me see reason. But here’s the spoiler: no such words exist.


    "Reba, Marcus is too old for you," he says, his voice tinged with exasperation.


    I roll my eyes, a small scoff escaping my lips. "No, he is not," I retort, dismissing his concerns with a wave of my hand.


    Josh leans forward, his gaze unwavering. "He has gray hair," he argues, emphasizing each word. "He’s just some creepy old guy hitting on a young girl like Hailey." His words hang in the air, heavy with disapproval.


    "Actually, he is only 38," Hailey interjects.


    Josh shoots her a horrified look. "Only 38? Don’t tell me you find him attractive too."


    I interject before Hailey can confirm or deny. "You are acting like he’s got a walker and a life alert button. He’s not a senior citizen, Josh. He’s just... weathered. Like a very expensive leather bag."


    Josh res at me. "That bag is trying to unzip my girlfriend."


    "Okay, ew," Hailey mutters, face scrunching in mild horror.


    I lift a brow, unbothered. "Let’s not pretend Marcus is not attractive. He’s got that whole ’power suit and brooding stare’ thing going for him. It’s very Wall Street viin with a tragic backstory. Women eat that up."


    Josh ps a hand over his face. "Please stop talking."


    "Fine," I say, waving him off. "But I’m just saying, the man being 38 doesn’t automatically make him a creep. It’s the intent that makes him a creep. And if he is being predatory? That’s why I’m here. To poke the bear and see if it bites."


    "I don’t like this n," Josh grumbles.


    Hailey nudges him gently. "I don’t love it either, but... it’s Reba. You know she’s going to do it no matter what we say."


    "Thank you," I say, smug.


    Josh res at me again. "If he so much as touches you the wrong way—"


    "I will make sure he touches me the right away," I cut in.


    "I think I am gonna be sick," Josh breathes.


    I grin wickedly. "What? I’m just saying I know how to handle myself."


    Josh drops into the chair beside Hailey, looking like someone just canceled his favorite video game. "You say that like it’sforting, but somehow I feel worse."


    I reach over and pat his shoulder, mock-sympathetic. "Rx, lover boy. Mama is here to protect you two. Just give me until this weekend to make Mr. Broody fall for me."


    Hailey stares at me like I just dered I was running for president. "Fall for you? Reba, I thought this was a recon mission, not Mission: Make Marcus Swoon."


    Josh’s eyes narrow. "Yeah, what exactly is the goal here? I thought you were just going to mess with him—not start a rtionship."


    I shrug, entirely unashamed. "What better way to derail a predator than making him think he’s being hunted?"


    Josh groans and lets his head fall back against the chair. "This is deranged."


    "Effective," I correct him. "And let’s be real, it’ll throw him off his game. If Marcus starts thinking I’m into him, he’ll be too busy trying to figure me out to y his creepy games with Hailey."


    Hailey gives me a skeptical look. "And what if he actually does fall for you?"


    I smirk. "Then I start picking out my wedding colors. Hailey, you are invited to be one of my bridesmaids. Maid of honor title goes to Sarah, of course."


    Hailey giggles. "I am honored."


    Josh looks genuinely rmed now. "You are not marrying Marcus Winters. What is happening right now?"


    I swing my legs off the couch. "Look, I have not been in a dating game in a long time, and Marcus is hot. So why not? It’ll get him to back off from Hailey. It’ll be killing two birds with one stone."


    Josh looks like he’s aged ten years in thest ten minutes. "But..."


    Hailey raises a hand. "It’s okay, Josh. Maybe Reba’s right."


    Josh turns to her in disbelief. "What?!"


    Hailey shrugs, folding her legs beneath her. "Look, Marcus is a total man slut no doubt about it, but Reba is young and single. She should have fun, so why not with him?"


    Josh rubs his temples. "Because he’s Marcus freaking Winters, Hailey! The guy has resting murder face and probably a secretir with trapdoors and a chair that spins."


    "That just makes him more intriguing," I say.


    "You know what else is intriguing?" Josh snaps. "Normal guys. Nice guys."


    I grin. "Okay, Dad."


    Josh lets out a strangled noise of frustration. "So you want to be his next... what? Trophy? A line in his little ck book?"


    I grin. "I want to be the page that rips out the rest of the book."


    Hailey lets out a low whistle. "Wow, Reba. That was poetic."


    Josh flops back dramatically, arms syed like he’s given up on life. "I give up. Do what you want. I still think it’s weird as fuck."


    Hailey lets out a softugh and curls up closer to Josh. "She’ll be fine. Honestly, I think Marcus is the one who should be worried."


    Josh finally smiles. "Yeah. You are probably right. But I swear if I have to pick you up from a viin’s penthouse or bail you out of some twisted fifty-shades situation—"


    "I’ll at least make sure I look hot in the mugshot," I cut in cheerfully. "And I promise, no handcuffs unless I’m in control of them."


    "Reba!" Hailey chokes, thenughs.


    I just stand, stretch like a cat, and saunter toward the door. "Hailey, why don’t you be a dear and point me in the direction of his office?"


    Hailey blinks. "Wait, now?"


    "Why not?" I say, tossing a wink over my shoulder. "No time like the present to make questionable life choices."


    Josh lifts the pillow just enough to re. "You’re gonna end up with a tattoo of his initials on your lower back, aren’t you?"


    "I was thinking forearm," I reply sweetly. "More visible. More powerful."


    Hailey giggles, already resigned. "Alright, fine. His office is on the top floor."


    "Perfect," I say, already turning the doorknob. "Wish me luck, kids."


    Josh gives onest groan as I swing the door open. "I will say a prayer for him instead."