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“He came to my club with Sebastian once.”
Faith gawked. “No, he didn’t.”
I nodded. “He did. Didn’t know it was mine. He damn near tripped over his feet when he saw me. Luckily I’d worn my best bustier. The man practically had his tongue hanging out of his mouth.”
“So what happened next?”
“Once the initial shock wore off, he had the audacity to be mad. Atme.”
“Why would he be mad at you if he’s the one who didn’t call?”
“Great question.”
“And have you asked him that question?”
I sank back into the couch.Had I asked him?
If I was being honest, I probably hadn’t. I couldn’t think clearly through the red haze of anger that had overtaken me that night. Sebastian hadn’t mentioned he’d be bringing a friend, and I don’t think I had been kind to either of them. Sebastian had pulled me aside afterwards to ask what had happened, but when I didn’t answer him, he didn’t push it.
Smart man.
That was six months ago. I’d seen him several times in the past couple of months now that he was busy protecting Faith from aggressive paparazzi and public interest in the former socialite. Luckily, that interest died down, making it safer for Faith to go out on her own.
“Have you?” Faith prodded.
“Probably not…” I said, sheepishly. “I’ll ask him next time I see him.”
Faith tilted her head, as if to sayreally?
I nodded reassuringly. “I promise. Besides, I’ve cooled off. I’m totally fine now.”
My friend arched a perfectly tweezed brow.
“Yep, totally fine.”
CHAPTER6
Beck
“You’ve already pottiedthree times. I think you’re fine.”
Alice held up a finger. “Just one more time, Daddy.”
I scrubbed a hand down my face. “Fine,” I said as she shuffled past me, out her bedroom door and into the connecting bathroom. “Last time and then you need to go to bed. For real this time. You have school in the morning. We can’t be late.”
Alice went through these phases of challenging me every time we went to bed. Her excuses ran the gamut. I was sure I’d look back at this stage and laugh, but at this moment, the only thing I wanted to do was put on some sweatpants and relax on the couch or grab a beer with a friend— anything to distract me from thinking about the woman next door.
I took my phone out of my pocket, shooting a quick text to Sebastian while Alice washed her hands.
Beck
Join me for a beer before you head back upstate.
Sebastian would probably come up with some excuse to avoid hanging out with me. The man preferred to spend his time with Faith Waters. I’d never seen my friend smitten with a woman and I’ll be damned, but my grumpy friend was completely enamored with Faith. They were basically attached at the hip.
I’d teased him about it endlessly once the job he hired me to do was completed.
Returning to the present, I could still hear the water from the faucet. “Alice, your hands are clean. In bed, now.”