Page 5 of Crazy Love

My phone rings.

I groan against her lips and consider ignoring the call, but when I see Rhodes’ name on the screen, I exhale sharply. “I have to take this.”

She steps back and nods. “It’s okay. Go ahead.”

I answer. “Rhodes?”

“Hey, man. I haven’t seen you in a while and need a favor. Some of Poppy’s friends had a little too much to drink and Elle and I are going to take them to their rooms. Any chance you could help us handle them? We’re still at the restaurant. It’s like herding elephants over here.”

I crinkle up my face, giving Addy an apologetic look. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

When I hang up, I turn to Addy, brushing my fingers along her jaw before kissing her softly. I just can’t resist those lips. She is a taste that leaves me feeling both sated and hungry. I drag myself away and stare at her.

“You’re so beautiful, Addy.”

Her cheeks flame and I can’t stop smiling.

“Don’t move,” I tell her. “I’ll be right back. I need to help wrangle some people back to their hotel rooms.”

She smiles, giving me one more quick kiss. “Hurry back.”

I walk backwards, still staring at her like I’ve been struck by lightning because that’s how I feel. “I promise you, I will be so fast.”

“Go, go.” She laughs.

I grin and bolt out of the door, already desperate to get back to her.

Of course it takes longer than expected. Poppy’s friends are nice and so happy to be on a tropical getaway, but they are hard to finagle drunk. Fifteen minutes stretches into thirty and I’m sweating by the time I reach my door.

When I walk into my hotel room…she’s gone.

CHAPTER ONE

ALL I’VE GOT

PENN

July

The bell over the door chimes as I step into Luminary Coffeehouse, the familiar hum of conversation and the hiss of the espresso machine welcoming me like a massive heated blanket. Clara stands behind the counter, grinning with her eyebrows raised, waiting for me to bust a move.

“Don’t think you’re getting coffee without dancing, Penn.”

I groan. Normally, I’d play along. Hell, I was here the day she started this whole dancing-for-coffee tradition, and I’d like to think I’ve displayed some of my best moves right here on this coffee shop floor. But today, my feet feel like lead, and my mood isn’t much lighter.

“Half a dance, Clara,” I say. “That’s all I’ve got in me today.”

“Half a dance?” she repeats, feigning shock. “Who are you, and what have you done with Penn Hudson?”

I shuffle halfheartedly to some pop song playing over the speakers. It’s more of a tragic sway, but Clara smiles at me sympathetically and hands me my caramel macchiato.

“Here’s a sweet to sweeten your day,” she says.

“Thanks, Clara. You’re the best.”

The low rumble of Marv and Walter’s bickering back and forth as I walk past their table makes me pause. They’re mid-rant, per usual—the two old men are here every time I set foot in Luminary, and I can always count on them to be arguing.

“And another thing,” Marv says, his voice sharp. “You can’t call it a tackle if the guy practically hugs him first. It’s football, not a slow dance!”

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