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Caught up in our busy lives, it’s only been two weeks since I’ve seen him. I’ve started conjuring images of what it’s like in his world—Nick shopping for groceries, going to the gym, hitting the beach for an early morning surfing session, as he calls it. I like to think that something exciting is always happening in his life and I get to reap the benefits of it from getting pics of his hot body or just listening to him breathe as if he’s just come from a workout and lying on the couch to recover. It’s all in my head, but I still like the sweaty, sexy image of him doing that.

He replies, “How’s this weekend?”

“Wide open for you.”

Is that a growl I hear?“I like you wide open. How about a little phone sex?”

“Oh my God, Nick,” I reply, shocked. But the bed is cozy, and man, do I love my boyfriend’s voice—those deep notes reaching my core when he speaks. “Go on.”

A chuckle vibrates in my ear. “I can’t say I mind how much you like sex.”

“I hope not, but to set the record straight, I like sex, but with you I love it.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, baby. Now tell me what you’re wearing, and I hope the answer is you’re naked.”

Having a boyfriend I can share my most intimate acts and emotions with is truly better than anything, even those sexy little dimples, but not by much.

* * *

I huff,setting my laptop on the couch so I can get up and pace. The client I’m working with is beyond frustrating. “This guy has dated everyone in the city, and my client thinks she can hook him with a basket of cookies.”

Tatum looks up from the dining table, her mouth practically hanging open. “Is that what she requested?”

“I talked her out of it. Anyone under the age of eighty knows that cookies won’t tame his ass.”

She laughs and leans back in her chair. Crossing her arms over her chest, she says, “You seem to know the type.”

I walk to the windows but glance back at her. “Not just the type.The guy.I dated him once.Oncewhen you were out of town and weren’t here to talk me out of it.”

“Oh, so it’s my fault, is it?” She sports a grin.

“Technically, it’s mine, but can’t you take the blame of that mistake for me for a little while.”

“For you, anything. I believe I remember just that weekend. I was making a few mistakes of my own, so add your mistake to the suitcase, and I’ll whisk it away so you never have to think about it, or him, again.”

“You’re the best. You know that? The absolute best.” As far as friends go, she’ll always be tops, but after last night, Nick is owning other parts of my heart. Pushing the curtains wider open than they already are, I peer outside. Night had fallen without notice, but now that it’s here, my stomach rumbles. “What do you want for dinner?”

Digging through a small filing cabinet in the corner of the dining area, she pulls out a notebook of our tried and true timeless gift options and sets it on the table. “I’m not sure. What do you want? Oh! I got it. A private Michelin-starred chef prepared meal. We’ll close the restaurant down. Can’t get more up an arrogant asshole’s alley than that.”

“I take it you’re referring to the client and not our dinner tonight. Correct?” Delirium has set in after working without so much as a break, and my laughter follows just after. “We’ve been at this all day.”

She joins in laughing along with me. Definitely not at me. “No, not you.”

“It’s a great idea. Serves two purposes—feeds his ego and fills his belly. I’ll send her an email with the concept and see if she can push her budget.”

With the holidays coming up, not only are we taking corporate orders but we’re also fulfilling specialized gifts to individual clients. We’re busier than ever. That means fewer clients with bigger budgets would allow us to prepare properly and plan the way we need to, approaching the end of the year. “I think we need to bring a couple of people on board. What are your thoughts?”

“We have the workload to justify it, and there’s no reason not to with the funding secured for another year. With more employees, we can serve more clients and continue to grow our list of regulars. We could even start adding in referral incentives. That means a potential larger reach and more profit, which they will contribute toward.”

“I’m not seeing a downside when you put it like that. I need to make sure I’m covering the bases, but it sounds like we might be expanding.” The thought makes me giddy. I pick up my phone to call Nick, but remember he told me he’d be in meetings until late. Lying in his hotel bed thoroughly smitten feels like a lifetime ago because I miss him. But in reality, it seems we’ll not be anything but full speed ahead.And I don’t mind one bit.

Still staring out the window, I try to act casual. “What did you think of him?”

“Oh no, Natalie. You’re not dragging me into this. What didyouthink of him? That’s what matters.”

“I think…” His smile comes to mind. Those soulful eyes with those sunset-golden edges. And the strong arms that reveal he never wants to let me go by how he holds me. “I think Nick is pretty damn perfect.”

“But you don’t do perfect, Nat. You’re like a magnet to damaged and troubled men, and guys who wear arrogance like a second skin.” She laughs under her breath. “You sure you’re feeling alright?”