Page 117 of Gravity

“I’m crazy about her, too.”

“She has a big heart for the pint-sized thing that she is.”

I smile. “And she’s also got the lungs of a lioness on her. We don’t argue often, but Jesus, she’s a pocket rocket of fire when she gets going. And it only makes me love her more.”

Mark chuckles. “There is something about a feisty woman. I have one myself.”

“Charlie has to be feisty living with your untamed ass.”

“Cheeky fucker.”

I laugh. It’s the first time I’ve laughed and felt this carefree in days. The stress has weighed me down more than I’ve realized. “Thanks, man. I didn’t realize how much I needed this today.”

He raises his hands. “Not just a pretty face.”

“No, you’re also a smug fucker, too.”

“Well, I aim to please.” He grins. Standing from his chair he heads to the door. “Right, I’m out. Let me know if you need anything. Oh, and you might want to give your girl a call. Last thing I heard she was headed out shopping with my daughter, and that’s never a good sign.”

I frown. “How is it a bad sign?”

“Because Makenna tricked me into handing over my fucking credit card.”

“Ouch.”

“Exactly. I’ll no doubt be bankrupt by noon. That girl has no control over her fashion fetish.”

“Well, if you need a job, I’ve just fired one of my staff.”

“Excellent. I’ll start Monday. Make sure I get a sexy little pinny to wear.”

“I’m on it.” I grin as he heads out of the office.

Sitting back in my chair, I think back to our conversation, wondering if Asher will ever wake up and realize what trap he has fallen into, open up about the loss of Pete and admit he is struggling and has been for a long time. His troubles go a lot deeper, and I’m convinced it all begins with his years spent as a SEAL. I thought it before he left and it’s why I questioned it, told him to get help. But things like that are never easy for them to hear, and even harder to accept. Meanwhile, it frustrates those who have to sit back and watch it all unfold.

Glancing at the photo of Nora that I have on my desk, I get the urge to hear her voice and decide to give her a call.

“Hey, handsome.”

“Shortcake. I’ve just had a certain Mr. Dixon here stressing over his credit card.”

She laughs, and it’s like music to my ears. I’ve not heard that sound in a while, so deep and natural. “Tell him not to worry. It never made it into Makenna’s wallet in the end. Charlie took it instead.”

“Are you having fun?”

She hesitates for a moment. “You know what, I am. I’ve not had this much fun in a while, other than when I’ve been with you of course, but Makenna is making sure there’s a smile on my face.”

“I won’t have her miserable, Gray. I forbid it,” Makenna shouts down the other end of the phone, causing me to chuckle.

“Glad to hear it.”

“We’ll soon be done here. I’ll make sure we stop by the bar before we head home,” Nora says.

“Looking forward to it.”

“Oh, you should be. I may or may not have something a little sexy in my bags.”

I growl, already wanting to be home and have her in the bedroom. “What color is it?”