Page 19 of Phoenix

“I know. I can’t believe it. They want me to come to Atlanta next week to meet with the editor in chief, but you just got here. I can’t just leave you and go spend two days away.”

“Tell me you’re joking right now. You cannot blow off this meeting because I’m in town. I won’t let you.”

“Come with me. You, me, and Gray can go. We can make a weekend out of it. You’ve never been to Atlanta. You’d love it.”

Ever since the fiasco with Amelia’s ex-husband last year, she’s been nervous to be without Grayson. I know him being near will help her, and I know she needs this opportunity.

“Will me agreeing to that force you to take the meeting?”

“Absolutely.”

“Consider it done.”

She squeals and claps her hands. “It’ll be so fun—and the food—God, Nora, the food.”

“It’ll be nice to explore a new place, that’s for sure.”

“I can’t wait to show you—” She pauses and smiles. “The food is ready.”

“Huh? No, the timer has like another ten minutes.”

“No, it’s ready. I can feel it.”

She opens the oven and pulls a perfectly cooked rib roast from the oven that will be sliced and served on sliced buns as sandwiches.

“Jesus, you’re like a witch. I’m going to gain fifty pounds while I’m here,” I say.

“And oh, how delicious it will be. Pop open another bottle of wine, gather the boys, and let’s dig in.”

***

After twenty minutes of convincing Amelia I will clean the kitchen, since she did most of the cooking, I set out to begin washing the dishes.

I enjoy the mindlessness of it. It gives me breathing room.

Though, the breathing doesn’t last long.

I feel him before I see him. Byproduct of his overwhelming aura and all.

“Need any help in here?” Case asks, his Southern drawl sucking me in immediately.

“No, I think I’m okay, but I have a feeling that won’t matter. You’re going to insist you help anyway.” I peek back over my shoulder to grin at him.

He’s standing in the doorway, reaching over his head to grip the top of the doorframe, showcasing his beautifully muscled biceps, and it’s causing the bottom of his shirt to raise just enough to see a little bit of skin.

And. That. V.

The V that makes women do stupid things.

The V that I try to ignore.

The V that makes me stand tall in my resolve.

Don’t give in to Case Carmichael.

“You’reright. I am going to help anyway. You wash, I’ll dry.” He stalks in and takes a place next to me at the sink. He’s big. Much bigger than me. He should be intimidating, yet somehow, he’s not. He’s warm. Kind. Inviting.

Fuck him.

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