Page 57 (2/2)
He waves a dismissive hand "Yeah, but I aced that I’m not worried They’re not worried I’ll just be considered in a probationary period until I’m official"
My previous annoyance with Ben instantly vanishes I close the distance as he accepts a congratulatory slap across the chest frolionnaYou’ve done well" He really has After blowing his knee out and losing his shot as a star quarterback, Ben leveraged his brain--one h law school Now, after years at Penny’s, Ben ison
The tactless brute bows his head, a rare pensive look flashing over his face I’ll bet he hasn’t bothered to e would somehoist it into a failure I think that’s why Ben is such an easy, happy guy all the ti coo out there with that It’s ee that I can send to your phone, if you need it while you deal with your issue in the can"
The moment’s over
Chapter twenty-six
CHARLIE
I shouldn’t be here
"Ahhhthis is the life," Ginger sighs, sinking back into her chair with a fresh ht"
I grunt in agree stone patio area that overlooks an enormous oddly shaped pool with several alcoves The entire space is adorned with various tropical flowers Sitting where we are, we’re coola and lattice
"Thank God for the breeze," Ginger adds, andfans affixed to the bea overtime to circulate the hot su pullsthe "Cousin Eddie" look with a straw hat, black socks pulled halfway up his calves, and sandals--is deun on a grill should bebetween head shakes and low chuckles, Dan finally gets Tanner to surrender his weapon and leave the grilling to hient
I shouldn’t be here
But I didn’t really have a choice, I tellme When she ad ument died on ies to a rooroup offro, but still I’m not sure how I kept the blush from my face I was sure my knees would buckle for a moment when they all stopped to stare at me
By the look on Cain’s face, he was both surprised and very pleased to see , I’ht That thought makes my entire body hum with excitement
"You okay? You’ve been quieter than usual today" I turn to find Ginger watching h another yawn I feel like I could sleep for days
"Late night?"
"Yeah" I help ry I haven’t eaten all day My body is all kinds of messed up
"HmmSo, did you finally break that stoic horse and work hier!" My wide eyes dart over to Tanner He’s within earshot, but his back is to us and he keeps it that way Given that he’s avoided all eye contact with me since my near-nude fiasco with the deliveryman yesterday, I’h the doorway at that preciseloudly, "Chow ti arms laden doith more food I noticed earlier that he kept a bit of the scruff on his face, shaving everywhere except the area around his chin and ainstand I catchround and ent, less serious That’s what being around Cain does for ainst all that is bad inI could sort of enjoy--in a twisted way--because of hier chirps, relishing any opportunity to tease her boss
"I’ll bet," hebehind me to place the platters down on a side table A second later, I feel cool hands curl aroundmy collarbone
He must feel the hard s in ? Does he want everyone to know that we slept together last night?