Page 40 of Phoenix

“I left my clothes out here. If you’ll just give me a second, I’ll put them on in the bathroom.”

“No need. I’m going to shower anyway, so I’ll just leave you to do that in here.” I grab my outfit for the day, which happens to include my sexy bra and panties. “How is the shower, by the way?”

A look passes on his face, followed by a smile. “The shower is fucking epic.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Thirty minutes and an incredible shower later, I come out of the bathroom dressed in tight jeans and a floral, off-the-shoulder top. I’ve kept my hair wild and wavy, and I’ve got minimal makeup on, save for my signature red lips.

“Have you talked to Grayson today?” I look up to find Case staring at me. “What?”

“Nothing—you just—you look nice today,” he says, then clears his throat. “They are meeting us for breakfast downstairs in ten minutes.”

“Good, because I’m starving and in need of carbs.” I keep myself busy, finding myself slightly embarrassed by the fact I got myself off this morning while thinking about him.

“Then let’s roll, beautiful.”

The casual term of endearment makes me giddier than it should.

***

“I’m so full. Why did you let me eat all of this?” I ask the table after I’ve just demolished a short stack of pancakes and four pieces of bacon.

Case answers before anyone else. “Because watching you eat is incredibly entertaining.”

“Uh. Thanks, I think?

He laughs and takes a sip of water. “It was a compliment. You eat with gusto. Like it’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever had, and you have no shame in eating whatever you want.”

“I’d like to take the credit for that,” Amelia chimes in. “Little Miss SoCal here was all no fat, no carbs, super picky, and a very tedious eater until I came along. I showed her the food ropes.” I smile her way.

She’s casually stroking Grayson’s neck, and he’s rubbing his hand up and down her thigh. It's like they can’t keep their hands off of each other. There’s a pang in my chest, envious of that type of closeness with someone.

“And for that, I thank you,” Case says, pulling out his debit card. “Breakfast is on me.”

All three of us attempt to stop him, but he’s having none of it.

“So what’s the plan for today?”

“Well, I’m having a dinner meeting with Justine from Bubbly late this evening. Apparently, these people haven’t heard of normal business hours. Grayson and I are meeting her at nine o’clock tonight, so we have the entire day to make Atlanta our bitch.”

So, that’s exactly what we did.

The Aquarium, The World of Coca Cola, the baseball stadium, and the shopping. Oh, my God, the shopping.

The men were good sports, of course, letting us explore any and all the boutiques we wanted to without a single complaint.

Where are men like this created? In a lab somewhere?

It’s nearing 5:00 p.m. when we hit our final store.

“I just want to find something special to wear tonight,” Amelia tells me, as the men hang back by the chairs on either side of the fitting rooms.

“You’re freaking out, aren’t you? You never worry about clothes or how you look. I mean that in the best way possible. You’re just so effortlessly gorgeous.”

“You’re biased, and yes, I’m freaking out. I want to look nice. Like I belong working for a publication like this.” She holds up a green dress. “Would it look too—festive—with my hair?”

I can’t help but laugh. “Between the red hair and the green dress, I do get some Christmas vibes.”

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