Page 64 of Mr. Red

I laugh. “Just checking on things.”

“You checked yesterday. Everything is going great even though you’re gone. I know, shocker.”

“What about the interview with Tessa?”

“Hold on, Paige is right here. We both interviewed her yesterday.”

“Hi, Paige!”

She doesn’t respond with hello. “Why are you talking to us instead of getting pounded right now?”

“Do you guys think of anything other than sex?”

They both reply with a laugh. “You’re funny, Scar.”

“Tell me how it went with Tessa?” I prod.

“Love Tessa!” Paige responds.

“Yeah, she’ll be a great fit. We’ll let you call to offerthe job.” He pauses. “Once you’re back. Not right now. Right now, you should be doing exercise involving man parts.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll call tomorrow.”

“No you won’t,” Paige argues. “Just focus on having fun with your guy.”

“He’s notmyguy.” My shoulders slump at the statement. I clear my throat. “Besides, I miss you guys.”

“Miss and love you too, babe,” Jason says, “but you need to get off the phone with us and go have fun. I’m not answering your call tomorrow, so don’t try it.”

“Jay—”

“Bye!” They hang up.

I stare down at my phone with my mouth gaping open. I can’t believe they just hung up on me.

“Morning, sweetheart.” Matt comes into the room with a mug smelling like coffee.

“Oh my gosh, I love you,” I say to the mug, but when I look up at Matt he’s staring at me with a look of—pride? I clear my throat. “I love coffee.” I point. “Thank you for bringing it in.”

He nods his head once, his posture erect, smelling of a fresh shower and sandalwood. He pats my thigh. “Pack a bag of extra clothes.”

I take a sip of the latte he made. “For what?”

“You know I’m not going to tell you. Just something fun. A surprise.”

I get up and start packing.

“What, no other questions?” His arms are crossed, with his forearms on display in a white linen shirt. There’s a patch of chest hair protruding on his chiseled pecs. I forgot his question.

I take another sip of my drink. “What?”

He chuckles. “I’ll leave you to it.”

An hour later, I head out to the living room. “Okay, all set.”

Matt closes his laptop and grabs my bag. He pulls me in at the waist so we’re front to front and kisses me.

I pull away after a few seconds. “What have you been up to?”