Page 84 of Sex, Lies, and Margarita Mixes

I sip my champagne while watching him over the rim of my glass. “Is that what this is? Or just another flex?”

He grins. “Why not both, Rox?”

We circle each other verbally all night. Chase stays glued to my side, quiet, solid, the rock I cling to without even realizing.

He slips off to the restroom about the time the dessert trays are walked around. Holden, as though waiting for this moment, corners me by the champagne tower.

“You’re really not going to work with me, Rox?” he asks softly. “Think of how good we could be.”

I look him dead in the face and wonder why I ever thought his too light eyes and thin lips were attractive. “Not in this lifetime, Holden.” He reminds me of a snake.

He exhales. “God, Rox. You’re the one that got away, and I’d do anything to get you back.”

Is he serious right now?

I smile faintly. “No, Holden. I’m the one that walked away, just like I’m doing now.”

I leave him standing there, feeling his gaze bore holes into my back. I nod at Easton on the way out. I hope he knows who he’s agreed to work with.

Chase meets me at the door.

“Well?” he asks.

I smile “Let’s go home, baby.”

He kisses me hard right in the doorway. He gets heated. When our lips retreat, he mutters, “My favorite words.

That night, tangled in sheets, his hand tracing lazy circles on my back, I whisper, “Thanks for being there tonight.”

He kisses my shoulder. “Always. You couldn’t get rid of me when you tried, so I’m damn sure not going anywhere now that you’re holding on, Roxy West.”

I’m not letting you go, Chase.

CHAPTER 18

TRIAL RUN PARENTS

ROXY

* * *

It’s 8:01AM when Chase’s phone buzzes.

Vivian

Reminder, you said y’all would keep the kids today.

Rolling over, I squint at the phone screen and try to blink the sleep from my head. “Huh? What kids?”

Chase groans into the pillow. “My niece and nephew, of course. She’s got work and the babysitter canceled.”

I sit up slowly. “Wait. We’re babysitting?”

He rubs his face. “I told her we could handle it.”

I blink again. “Chase. We’re not even equipped to keep a cactus alive.”

He grins sleepily. “Babe. It’s two kids. We can handle it.”

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