Free The Bad Boy Next Door: A Red Hot Bad Boy Romance by Lacey Legend

lemonade. He handed one to each woman and kept one for himself, explaining that it was just a mix, but tasted pretty good anyway. He took a long drink and then looked from one woman to the other. Genie was sitting with her left leg crossed over her right knee, leaning away from the center of the couch. Ruby was sitting with her hands folded in her lap. Isaac had the distinct feeling that words had been exchanged. Maybe it was a mistake to have Ruby come over right away. Maybe he should have eased Genie into the knowledge that while he was interested in meeting his daughter, he was not interested in rekindling anything with her.
    “So, Genie, tell me about Regina. How old is she now?”
    “Oh, um, she’s five-and-a-half; nearly out of Kindergarten,” Genie replied. “There is this amazing private school I’d like her to get into for the elementary grades. It’s ranked in the top five in the nation, and it’s only an hour away from where we live.”
    “That sounds nice,” Isaac said. “Have you already applied?”
    “Not yet. I have to come up with the funds first. Plus, Reggie is such a smart little girl that she’ll no doubt be able to ace their entry test with flying colors.”
    Isaac smiled. “I’m glad she’s smart. You know we weren’t always the most intelligent of people.” Isaac laughed.
    Genie smiled. “Yeah. We were pretty reckless in our youth together,” she said, casting a sidelong glance at Ruby.
    Ruby spoke up, “People often are more reckless in their youth. We think we are invincible and that nothing can hurt us. We think there will always be a third, fourth, or fiftieth chance to get it right.” She stood then, holding Isaac’s hand as she did so. She pulled him into an embrace and kissed him lightly. “I’m going to go so you two can catch up on your ancient history. Dinner is still on for tonight if you two don’t make other plans.”
    Isaac hugged her close and then released her. “I’ll call you later and let you know.”
    “It was lovely meeting you, Genie,” Ruby said, extending her hand once more to the younger girl.
    “You too.” Genie gave her a small smile, and a soft squeeze of the hand before dropping it.
    Back at home Ruby couldn’t help but worry a little. She had only been with Isaac a short time, and even though Genie was old news after a six year absence, she did have a child and Isaac might suddenly decide that his noble steps towards being responsible should include rekindling romance with the mother of his child.
    “If he even is the father,” she said aloud to her empty house. Awfully convenient that she shows up after he inherits instead of telling him as soon as she discovered the pregnancy. Ruby shoved the thought away, not wanting to give any of her energy to petty thoughts. There were probably a million reasons why Genie chose not to come forward sooner. Not being a mother, Ruby reminded herself that she had no idea what Genie’s life was like or what made her tick. Best to give her the benefit of the doubt for now. Besides, if she came off like a jealous wife, it would do nothing but push Isaac away. Ruby had never given into insecurity in the past, and she wasn’t about to start.
    To take her mind off of matters, Ruby closeted herself in her home office and continued work on her book. She had finished the outline and the first two chapters, and was ready to start moving into the meat of the plot. She had left her dashing hero and his damsel skydiving out of a burning airplane at the end of The Affair in White. The sequel, The Affair in Red, picked up where that book left off.
    ***
    Isaac sat back down on the couch after seeing Ruby off. “She’s an amazing woman,” he commented to Genie.
    “I’m sure she is. She doesn’t know you like I do though.” Genie scooted a little closer on the couch. “As I was saying before Ruby left, I would really, really like for our daughter to go to the private school. I think the curriculum there is