“He’ll do it,” Von said.
Thad whipped around. “You can’t make this decision for me.”
“You heard her, man. This is genius marketing. And it’s better to hop on the social media train with Puddin’s star power while the dog still has it. We drag our feet too long and we’ll both be out here doing TikTok dances to entice people to come to The PX.”
“Honestly, you may still have to do a few TikTok dances,” Ashanti said with an infectious grin. It made her freckles sparkle like rubies.
The ache that settled in Thad’s chest was as delicious as it was painful. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this attracted to someone.
“I think I have the solution to our problem,” Von said with a wink in Ashanti’s direction. “Thad, why don’t we call your grandmother and ask her what she thinks?”
“You’re such an asshole,” Thad said. “But you just reminded me of another reason why I can’t fly to New York tomorrow. I have to bring Puddin’ over to Grams’.”
“You’re going to see Mrs. Frances? Can I join you?” Ashanti asked. “I’ve been wanting to visit her, but things have been so busy at work. This is the perfect opportunity. We can go together, and then head to the airport.”
“Itisperfect,” Von said. “There’s something about the way your brain works that’s just… I don’t know… thrilling.”
There was no way in hell Thad would make it to the grand opening of The PX without causing his partner bodily harm. He should just get it out of the way and kick Von’s ass right now.
He brought his hand up to the base of his neck and rubbed at the spot rock hard with tension. He honestly could not think of a single thing he loathed more than the thought of being on some morning talk show, sitting across from a couple of perky hosts with alliterative names. But Ashanti had made excellent point after excellent point, especially about documenting the renovations. It was a great way to start creating early buzz.
And what could be bigger than introducing The PX to the world via a national morning broadcast?
“Fine, I’ll do it,” Thad said.
“You will?” Her eyes grew wide before the brightest smile he’d ever seen lit up her face. His reaction to it was instant and intense. For a brief moment, if she’d asked, he would have gladly handed over his every possession to see that unrestrained smile again.
He wassofucked.
Thad cleared his throat. “I’ll text you the info you need to book the airline ticket,” he said.
“What time were you planning to visit Mrs. Frances? I can meet you there.”
He shrugged. “I guess I’ll go as early as possible if we have to catch a flight to New York.”
“I swear, this will be worth it,” Ashanti promised. “And painless. It will be worth it and painless.”
“And fun,” Von said. “You forgot fun.”
“That too,” she said with a laugh. She blew out a relievedbreath and hunched her shoulders. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
Thad and Von both started to walk her out at the same time, but she held up her hand. “I can see my way out. Get back to doing the work you were doing so you can get Puddin’ home.”
“See you tomorrow,” Thad called, leaning against the stud opposite the one Von leaned against. He glanced over at him and frowned.
“Hey, stop looking at her ass,” Thad warned the moment Ashanti was out of earshot.
“You’relooking at her ass.”
“I—” Thad swallowed the words he was about to say, along with water from the bottle he still held.
Von walked over to him and crossed his arms over his chest. Thad’s skin felt hot under his partner’s assessing gaze.
“Now, is it that you don’t want me to look at her ass because you want to be theonlyone looking at her ass? Because, if that’s the case, I can find another ass to look at.”
Thad took another drink, then mumbled, “Just don’t look at her ass.”
“Why not?”
