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I rubbed the back of my neck. “It was nothing, really. How’s he holding up?”

She sank into her chair across from me, rubbing her temples. “He’s back at school today, with strict instructions to stay off that jungle gym. Let’s hope he can stay uninjured the last two days of school.”

I chuckled. “You’re handling it well.”

“It’s been a hell of a week. All the kids are going on a trip to Cabo with their dad next week, so I had to buy all the kids swimsuits, not to mention do laundry.”

“Wait. Your kids are going to be out of town next week?”

She smirked. “That’s all you heard out of that, huh?”

“I heard I’m getting you all to myself.” My cock was already getting ideas. Part of me wanted to put off telling her how I felt so that I could have the week with her. If things went bad when I confessed my feelings, I knew we wouldn’t go back to having this casual relationship anymore.

But I also knew if I didn’t tell her, I’d end up blurting it out at the worst possible time. And Farrah didn’t deserve that. She deserved romance. Candles. Flowers. The whole nine yards.

“When can I see you outside of work?” I asked. “Friday night?”

Her features fell with disappointment. “I have a... thing Friday night. And I have to bring the kids to Austin on Saturday. I can come over when I get back that night?”

I didn’t want to wait, but I nodded. “And pack a bag, because there’s no way I’m letting you leave.”

Her eyes flamed with a mix of excitement and desire, and it took all I had not to bend her over this desk and give her a preview of what was coming.

“You know,” she said, “I’ve never been to your place before. What if it’s just a smelly bachelor pad?” she teased. “Maybe you should stay with me?”

I snorted. “Your house is great, but mine is the furthest thing from a bachelor pad. You’ll see.”

She chewed her lip, worry in her eyes. She wore all of her emotions like the pages of a book.

“What are you worried about?” I asked, reaching across the table for her hand.

She ran her thumb over mine. “I just don’t want to be another girl you hide at your place.”

My heart stuttered in my chest. Did that mean she was starting to feel the same way about me? The hope I felt was dangerous. “I’ve never brought a woman over.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”

“No.”

“Lying?”

“Not a chance.”

“Celibate?” She had a playful smile on her lips.

But I wasn’t joking. I leaned forward, making sure she had a clear view of my face, of just how serious I was. “I don’t bring women to my home. Ever. We stay at a hotel or her place. You are the first, Farrah. The only.”The last.I was too close to giving it all away, so I straightened. “I have a lunch meeting I need to prepare for, but I’ll certainly be looking forward to Saturday.”

She smiled tentatively. “Same here.”

* * *

By some miracle,I made it through the week without blurting out the way I felt. So when Mia and I met at four on Friday, I poured us both a glass of scotch and passed one to her, lifting my glass.

She eyed me skeptically before clinking her glass to mine. “We haven’t toasted since you partnered with Petersons on the condo building in Port Aransas.”

“First order of business,” I said. “I need you to have a florist deliver two dozen bouquets of yellow dandelions to my place Saturday morning.”

“Dandelions... like the weed.” Mia seemed unconvinced. “I thought Farrah was the only one who liked those.”