Page 36 of Phoenix

“That’s what she said,” Nora says from beside me, and the table erupts in laughter.

This girl, this beautiful woman, just cracked a ‘that’s what she said’ joke at the dinner table.

I think I’m in love.

“That was the best. Nicely done,” I say, sticking my hand up for a high five, which she gladly gives me. “If a girl can crack crude jokes, she’s perfect in my book.”

“Then you’re in good hands with Nora,” Amelia says, as she wipes her mouth with a napkin. “She’s always got the dirtiest jokes.”

“I may have to pick your brain later then, Nora.” I nudge her with my shoulder. “See what secrets you have buried in there.”

“Trust me, you don’t want to go snooping around in there.”

“I’m a good listener.”

“I know you are. I’ve talked your ear off too much with the aid of liquid courage.”

“Case, I’m going to grab the shakes for all of us. Put yourself to use and come with me,” Grayson says, before giving Amelia a kiss on the cheek.

“What kind would you like?” I ask Nora. “There is a right and a wrong answer to this question, by the way.”

She taps her chin, peeking up at the menu board—thinking—and it’s the hottest thing I’ve seen her do yet.

“I’d like peanut butter fudge with extra whipped cream.”

“You were doing so well; then you go and pick something like that? I’m sorry, Nora, but I can no longer be your friend,” I tease her.

“Just get the damn shake, Case. I’ll let you taste it and I bet you’ll change your tune.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“So what’s going on there?” Grayson asks, as we stand in line for the shakes.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I see and feel this—intensity—between you and Nora. Mills agrees.”

“Nora and I...we just get along. It was obvious last time she was here. I made a move then, as you know, and she didn’t reciprocate. That’s it.” I shove my hands into my pockets.

“She’s been through a lot in her life, you know? Just be easy with her. She’s a good one.”

“I’m always easy, and you know that. I wouldn’t do a thing to hurt her.”

“I didn’t say you would, I was just letting you know.” He steps up and he orders all four shakes, then I reach around him to pay.

“My treat and, Grayson, I know about having hard times in your life. I deal with the effects of that every day of my life.” We walk over to the next window to pick the shakes up.

“I know. I was there, Case. I’ll never forget it.”

“I just like spending time with her, man. She’s easy. There are no expectations, no obligations. She makes me laugh and she’s just...cool,” I admit.

“Mills adores her, so I know if you hurt her in any way, Mills will literally remove your balls.”

“She already has yours in her purse. What would she need mine for?”

“God, you’re a dick. My balls are perfectly intact. Just because I like making my fiancée happy, doesn’t mean my balls are in her purse,” he says, as the shocked, young girl places our shakes on the counter.

“Umm. Here you go. And umm…I’m happy to hear about your balls,” she says, before she scurries away.

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