Page 29 of Phoenix

“You don’t have to pay for mine. I can get it.” I reach over for my purse, but he immediately stops me.

“Don’t even think about it. I refuse to let you make me turn in my man card and my Southern gentleman card at the same time. Put. The. Purse. Down.”

I drop my bag and raise my hands up in surrender. “Geez. If you insist.”

“I do.”

Being around Case is too easy. I’m too relaxed. It is scary for me, because I know how easily I could fall for him. Between his Greek god-like good looks and his incredible personality, I’m nearly a goner...but his job stops me. Coupled with that thing he has with women? I just can’t compete.

Women adore him and I’m too jealous for that. I don’t want to hurt. I’ve hurt enough in my life. I don’t need a man to add to it.

But those dimples...

“So, I hear you are heading up to Atlanta with us for Amelia’s meeting,” Case says, breaking me out of my thought bubble as we ride back to my car.

“Us? What do you mean?” I ask.

“Well, that’s my weekend off, and Grayson asked if I wanted to tag along. He said we could catch a game while we were in town on Sunday.” He only glances my way briefly, keeping most of his focus on the road.

“Amelia asked me to go with them since I’ve never been to Atlanta before.”

“Really? Don’t worry. I’ll show you all the sights. Everything Atlanta has to offer,” he says with a smile on his face.

“What makes you think I want to go now, since you’re going?” I cock my brow.

“Because I’m irresistible.”

“And arrogant.”

“Yeah, maybe a little of that too, but I’m charming so it evens out, right, sweetheart?” He flashes me a wink.

I shake my head with a laugh. “Well, you’re getting your own room.”

“But I’d rather share with you,” he teases.

“I hog the covers and I snore. I’m a terrible bedmate,” I joke.

“What do you know, me too.” He laughs, playing right along. “Think we’d cancel each other out?”

“Definitely not.”

“Eh, you’re right. I’d rather not kill the illusion of perfection you’ve got going on over there with your snoring.” He laughs.

I flash him the sweetest smile, then flip him the biggest bird he’s ever seen.

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