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Lena leans her chin on her hand. “I smell a date.”

I ignore them and type.

ME:

Depends why you’re asking.

His reply is instant.

TRACE:

Because I want you in my arms while we eat ice cream.

Paige slaps her desk. “Oh THAT MAN KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING.”

My phone buzzes again.

TRACE:

Eight o’clock?

I stare at the screen, biting down a smile.

ME:

Make it eight-thirty. I have a meeting at seven.

Paige points at me. “Butter pecan. And wear a dress. Don’t play.”

Lena nods. “A porch date dress. Not a barn dress.”

My phone buzzes.

TRACE:

Eight-thirty.

And for the record, it’s not the ice cream I’m thinking about.

I feel my breath stall.

ME:

What are you thinking about?

His reply is one word.

TRACE:

You.

Another immediately follows.

TRACE:

Say you’re coming.

Paige and Lena don’t breathe. They are perched like falcons waiting for the kill.