Page 57 of Mad Love

I stand and walk her to the door.

“When will you need the dresses by?”

“Is two weeks good?”

“That’s doable.”

“Thanks, Gia. And it doesn’t have to be a dress. Put me in an outfit of your choosing as long as the pieces are silk or satin.”

“You trust me that much?”

“You have style. Let’s show it off.”

“Silk is difficult to make happen quick.”

“Satin it is.”

“How about lace?”

“I’m open so long as it doesn’t touch my skin,” I tell her.

“Casual, dinner party, or clubbing?”

I smile, thinking of Maddox’s idea of sleeping in all day and going clubbing all night.

“Dinner party and clubbing. Casual is what you’re seeing now.”

She runs her gaze up and down my body. I have on a satin cream top and an ivory skirt. Up the length of my arms are gloves in a blood-red shade. Granger likes to call this my Snow White look.

“Your casual is chic.”

“Thank you.”

The doorbell rings again. We both glance at the monitor. Granger is on the other side. He’s scowling.

“You should let him in. He looks ready to take a chunk out of someone.”

I open the door. Granger steps off to the side and lets Gia by. His heated gaze follows her as she makes her way to the elevator.

“Do you need me to escort you down?” he asks, not hiding well the unhappiness in his voice.

I shake my head. This guy. He can’t decide whether he should leave Gia alone or ask her out. In the years I’ve known him, Granger’s never had a serious relationship. There’s the rare second date he insinuates to me about; otherwise, he keeps mum about his personal life. He’s too busy sticking his nose in mine.

“I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.” She disappears inside the elevator. “See you soon, Blaise.”

The doors close. Granger looks from the elevator to me with a mixture of annoyance and anticipation.

“Get used to her being around, big guy. Now let’s get back to work. Gia’s made the decision for us.”

“It’s like that now, huh?”

“Like what?”

“Opening your life to another person in need.”

“Gia’s not in need of anything or anyone. You heard her. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”

“Not from what her bodyguards yapped about. She’s on the verge of being homeless, Blaise.”

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