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“Read it,” I said. “Ain’t selling your organs or nothing, so calm down.”

She flipped through the three pages slow. Her lips moving silently while she read.

“It’s a contract,” I said. “Fifty-fifty split on the profits when we flip this house.”

Her head snapped up.

“You told me you needed a job,” I said. “Needed your own money. I doubt you want to end up back at your momma and daddy’s house once everything blows up. I’m making sure you have everything you need.”

Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

She dropped the papers on the counter, stepped into my space, and pinched me hard right below the ribs.

“The fuck was that for?” I grunted, grabbing her wrist.

She smiled up at me, sweet and crooked.

“Making sure I’m not dreaming,” she whispered.

Without thinking, I reached out, brushed my thumb across her nipple through the thin T-shirt, and pinched down.

She gasped and slapped my hand away.

I cackled low.

“Nah, baby. You felt that, didn’t you?”

She nodded, absentmindedly.

“See, wide awake.”

Chapter 21- Zane

We left the house just before sunset, both of us sweaty, dirty, and worn out from swinging hammers and gutting walls.

My clothes were stuck to my skin with sweat and dust, and my hair was ruined under the hard hat.

Sam asked if I wanted to grab dinner, and for a second, I almost said yes.

But reality set in fast.

Mark would be waiting for me.

My phone had been buzzing non-stop with calls from Mark that I hadn’t answered. This would probably be the one night he was home on time. Checking on me.

Guilt twisted in my stomach.

Not because of Mark though, because I told Sam no. He was disappointed.

I saw it.

Even though he covered it with a nod, acting like he wasn’t mad.

But I knew better.

I knew he was mad about me not calling or texting him already, but I had been too in my head about it. I kept thinking if I let myself fall for him and he one day wanted nothing to do with me…I wouldn’t survive it. It wouldn’t be like it was with Mark.

When things started falling apart there, all I felt was regret—wasted time, wasted chances.