Page 103 of Five Days to Be Mine

“Good. I have new work.” I don’t know why I say it like that, but I forge on ahead. “I’m working somewhere new with Jenny.”

“That’s great! Do you have plans for the weekend?”

Valentine’s Day.

I pace in the room, wondering how much to tell her.

She and I have always been close and while I don't want to hide anything from her, I'm not sure how to explain the fact that I’m in the private apartment of the city’s most luxurious hotel with the owner of an acclaimed and infamous restaurant.

“Yes. I met someone.”

That’s the truth, at least.

“Mara! I’m so happy for you! So you’re going out then?”

“Yeah. I mean, he might have to work, but…yes, I’m going out.”

“I’m so happy for you! I don’t want to bring you down, but I need to remind you to change the pin on your bank accounts, okay? One of my cards got flagged today. It might be because I'm out of the country or it might be—”

“My father,” I sigh wearily.

The man never gives up, and that’s not a good trait in an addict.

“Okay, I'll check.”

“Good. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day! Tell me all about it.”

Obviously, I won't tell her everything, but I can't wait to share the vanilla highlights with her.

I love how happy she sounds.

“Give my love to Bryan.”

“Of course! Bye!”

I set my phone down, sensing Evan behind me. He looks so sexy in that towel that I almost tell him to cancel whatever he has today so we can get back into bed.

Instead, I settle for running my hands down his tight pecs.

“That was my mom.”

“Yeah? Did you tell her about me?”

“Not your name, not yet.” I shrug.

“We’ll have to have dinner with them when they get back,” he kisses me. The smell of his soap tickles my nostrils.

“Tell me about your birthday bash.”

Evan grins, drops the towel and strides over to his closet.

“It’s just a little gathering my brothers have been planning for my thirty-fifth.”

“What’s little?” There is no way Evan is going to celebrate his birthday quietly.

“Friends from college, people I know in business, my brothers’ friends, that sort of thing. You know, a party.”

“Are your parents going to be there?” I tilt my head.

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