Page 23 of Dangerous Encore

"Okay, since now." Her voice softens. "I love you, Ethan, and I want this. I want you. But I can't take any more thinkingaboutit."

"Let metakeover."

"There'ssomuch—"

"You have a spreadsheet with names, emails, and phone numbers. I canhandleit."

She sighs with relief. "Areyousure?"

"Yeah."

"We haven't even pickedacake."

"I have an idea about that. Do youtrustme?"

"About cake? I don't know. You really dismissed itearlier."

I feel my laugh in my toes. "Evenso."

"Yeah,Ido."

"Let mehandleit."

"Okay."

"You still soundexhausted."

"Iam."

"I want you in my arms, honey. Fuck, the things I want to do tocomfortyou."

"I, um… I can't now. Mom and Piper are in the other room." Need fills her voice. "And Mom is going to come home with me. For something. I, um, so… it might be a littlewhile."

"Icanwait."

"I can't. But I guess I have to." She takes a slow breath. "How can I miss you when you're tenmilesaway?"

"I miss you too. You want me to drive over and pick you uprightnow?"

"Yes, but I need to finish this. I love you. I'll seeyousoon."

"I loveyoutoo."

I can feel how much this is weighingonher.

Maybe I can't do anything about the nagging feeling inmygut.

But I canfixthis.

* * *

The door creaks open.Violet's voice flows intotheroom.

"Ethan. My mom is with me, so I hope you'redecent."

She steps inside. With her makeup dark and her hair in some elaborate style, she looks ready foraball.

She looks fuckingirresistible.