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“I bet they are. What are you having for dinner?” I asked.

“Jambalaya too. When I put the order in for you, I got in the mood as well. You’re working late every day this week?”

I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. “Honestly, yes. Some weeks are like this.”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Grace, but I do have a proposition for you.”

“I’m all ears.”

“What about brunch at Commander’s Palace on Saturday?”

“Yes! I used to go with my parents years ago when I was a kid. Last time I was there, I wasn’t old enough to drink their cocktails.”

“We can hit the bar this time. I’ll make reservations. Do you have anything else going on Saturday?”

“No.”

“Good, because I’d like to spend the whole day with you. On Sunday too.”

This was a very good opportunity to try out my teasing skills. “You’re so sure you’re getting laid, huh?”

“Never. But I’m going to do my very best.”

God, it was so easy to talk to this man. I could do it for hours.

“Tell me about your week. You said it’s going to be crazy too.”

He sighed. “Yeah. This is a busy season for the shipping business.”

“Oh, I would’ve thought Christmas was peak.”

“It is for land transportation, but not for the water. In my area, everything happens way before Christmas.”

“Right. That makes sense.”

“Now I’m dealing with several delays, and we’re trying to find ways to solve that. But it’ll all work out.”

“I’ll drink to that on Saturday.”

“I can’t wait, Grace.”

“I can’t either.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Zachary

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“What do you mean, you can’t join us anymore?” Anthony asked on Thursday evening. He, Beckett, and I were at the Lucky Bar, and I’d told them I couldn’t make it fishing with the grandfathers this weekend. Beckett was looking at me like I’d informed him I was resigning from the family.

“I’ve made other plans,” I said.

“What plans?”

Our youngest brothers were the most curious out of everyone in the family, but I didn’t mind.

“I’m spending the weekend with Grace.”