“Phoebe, listen, I plan on calling Jude next week to tell him that we won’t be able to make it at all. Ever. I’ll think about a good excuse.”
“No, don’t do that. I was actually going to call and talk to you about that, but the week got away from me. Don’t cancel it. We can do it,” she said.
I frowned. “What?”
“One weekend won’t be that hard. And I don’t think he’ll keep inviting us to things. Eventually, he’ll just want to talk to you about the deal, and either it goes through or it doesn’t.”
“But this isn’t fair to you. You have a lot on your plate. You don’t need to deal with this complication.” Plus, I was thinking how disappointed my family was in me for even doing it in the first place. My conscience was winning.
She smiled at me. “It’s a delicious complication, and I could use some more of those.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. If she started flirting, I wasn’t responsible for where we ended up.
Probably with me sinking inside her and her legs wrapped around my waist.
“I thought about it.Reallythought about it,” she added. “I don’t think it’s going to be too much of an inconvenience. Besides, it might be fun! I’m sure their weekend getaway will be fabulous.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “It might involve kissing.”
“I figured. I think we’re very good at it.”
My cock twitched. Fucking hell, this wasn’t going the way I’d intended. Then again, I’d postponed canceling the weekend with Jude this week… because I didn’t actually want to.
This was what I’d come here tonight for, I realized. To hear her tell me that she wanted to continue the ruse.
“Just so you know, I was kind of holding back.”
She jerked her head back. “What? With the kiss? That’s not possible.”
I grinned at her. “I was putting on a very good show for that moron.”
She smiled. “Well, it worked. He didn’t contact me again.”
“Thank fuck.” I leaned back in my chair, happy that I’d managed to intimidate Marshall, but quicky sobered up. “Phoebe, are you sure?” I asked her again, because I wouldn’t move forward with this unless she gave an absolutely resounding yes. My parents wouldn’t look poorly on me if this was more than just me trying to convince someone into doing business.
She sat up straighter, rolling her shoulders back, and flashed me a very big grin. “Hell yes, we can do this. We’ll get your stake in Jude’s company. I do have a request, though.”
“Sure.” Why shouldn’t she? It was an agreement, after all.
“If we do run into Marshall again at some point, give me another hot kiss.”
I burst out laughing, throwing my head back. “You’ve got it. Let’s celebrate sealing the deal.”
She blushed for real this time, pressing her hand to her right cheek as if she couldn’t quite believe it.
“I wasn’t trying to suggest—” I began.
Phoebe laughed nervously, saying, “No worries, but I don’t have champagne. I have white and red. Your pick.”
“I don’t need anything to drink. You go ahead. I’ll have water to toast.”
She pouted. “No. I don’t want to drink by myself.”
“Okay. I’ll join you, then.”
“I’ve got a bottle of white wine already open in the fridge.”
I went there with her, pulling on the door, and a loud crack splintered through the air.
