Page 33 of Where the Blacktop Ends

Thicker now, framing his sharp jawline, giving him an edge that makes my stomach tighten. It shouldn’t look that good on him. But itdoes.

I straighten my spine, acutely aware of the tension thickening the air between us.

Troy is my boss. And sure, he might not be thrilled that James is here right now, but technically, I’m in the clear. Hedidsay I could have guests over if Liam wasn’t home or asleep.

So why does his presence make my pulse hammer like I’ve done something wrong?

“Hi, Mr. Marshall, sir, welcome back,” I stumble over my words trying to keep my tone neutral, though my mind flashes back to those text messages—and the fact that he caught me naked at the kitchen table just a few hours earlier. A flush creeps up my chest as his eyes linger on me, almost knowingly. I wonder if he’s thinking about that too.

His eyes narrow slightly at my use of “sir” and the woman beside him fixes a wide smile onto her perfectly made-up face.

“Oh, you must be the nanny,” she says in a saccharine tone, extending a delicate, manicured hand toward me.

Her soft but punchy scent reaches me before she does and up close, she’s even more striking. Her skin is flawless. I mean, does she even have pores? Or sweat?Wouldn’t that be nice…

I’m guessing this is the type of woman Troy dates. Soft edges. Wealthy. Completely flawless. Probably sleeps with them all the time. I wonder if this woman is going to get a good look at his alien cock tonight. Looks like it might break her tiny body in half, and if so, I’m super jealous it’s her getting wrecked and not me.

“I’m Georgia,” I respond, shaking her hand with a smile that’s genuine despite the awkward tension. “You’re beautiful,” I blurt out because it’s true.

I admire her polished look, her confidence radiating like she’s just stepped out of a magazine. Even though I know I’ll never be a size 0 like her, I’d love to have an ounce of her confidence. “I think I want to be you when I grow up,” I continue jokingly because when things are awkward or uncomfortable, this is what I do.

Word vomit to fill in the weird silence.

And honestly, I’m a girls’ girl. This woman, with all her poise and grace, oozes confidence and I love hyping women up.

James rolls his eyes beside me, and my gaze shifts to Troy, who appears to be biting back… a smile?

Wow. A smile from Mr. Grumpy. Didn’t think it was possible.

I raise a brow at him, silently expressing my surprise. The moment his eyes catch mine, that little tick in his cheekvanishes, and his expression shuts down again, eyes turning cold and unreadable, jawline firm.

“Thank you, darling,” the woman replies. She doesn’t return the compliment, but it doesn’t bother me. When you look as confident and put together as she does, you’re probably used to people saying they want to be you when they grow up. “I’m Minnie.”

Troy sighs, tapping his foot impatiently. “Alright, can I get through?” he asks, voice laced with sarcasm, like he’s requesting permission to enter his own home.

“Oh! Yes, of course,” I stammer, scrambling out of the way to let them inside.

Minnie practicallyglidesin, all effortless grace and poise, like she belongs here—like she’s walked this same path a hundred times before. Troy follows close behind but stops just inside the doorway, his voice low and firm as he asks her to wait in the hallway before heading upstairs.

I find it odd that he doesn’t invite her in any further.

Maybe he thinks Liam’s home. Maybe he just doesn’t like guests,period.

Or maybe—judging by the way Minnie’s gaze drags over him, slow and possessive—he doesn’t trust himself with her in this house.

I don’t know what unsettles me more: the way she looks at him or the growing suspicion that she’s been here before.In this house.In his bed.

“Alright then, see you at the party,” I say, giving them a little awkward wave before grabbing James’s arm and yanking him outside.

When we finally get inside his car, I pounce, “Holy shit, did youseethat woman?” I hiss at James who slides into the driver’s side and presses the on button to his fancy car I definitely shouldn’t be trusted sitting in.

“Um… yeah, kind of hard to miss her with the over-the-top dress and fluorescently white teeth. Also, you told her you want to be her when you grow up. Which by the way, she isn’t someone I’d recommend you aspire to become.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Why not? She’s beautiful, glowing, and confident.”

He snickers. “Because that’s Minnie Meadows.”

“Who’s that? Her name sounds like a porn star. Oh my god! Is Troy bringing a porn star to this party? I’m not judging, of course.”

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