“Kind of a risky game to make out with your employee then dump and fire them.”
“Which is why I say this now, beautiful wife, cut Knox some slack.”
Roxie’s eyes slunk upward.“Have I ever done that?”
“No, but you have to do it today.”
“What did he say?Did he come crying to Daddy?”
“That’s the last time I want to be referred to as Knox’s dad, but, no, I haven’t spoken to him.He’s got a lot on his plate and it’s Cam.He’s Knox’s hot button.”
“So instantly Ariella is to blame for something?She already said they aren’t having sex, she hasn’t corrupted the parfait Collier.And what do you mean Knox has a lot on his plate?Guy should be on Cloud Nine.We should get happy, chill Knox, not uptight and twitchy Knox.”
“You bring it out in him, Lo.”
“Mm,” Roxie said, unconvinced.“He can be protective of Cam—”
“But you’ll be protective of Ariella.Sometimes I think you two orchestrate being on opposite sides.Where’s all the goodwill from the wedding?Remember the cherry blossom… Jane’s face…”
Roxie exhaled.“Okay, I’ll be nice if he is.You can only use the cherry blossom thing for so long.”
“I have a feeling he’ll be lining up the big romantic gestures this year.”
“He better.”Roxie folded her arms, bag still on a forearm.“Where are my cherry blossoms?”
“You got your own TV show.”
“Because of me.And Jane could have her own show, if she wanted.She could have her own channel, she’s a Collier now.”
“It’s frowned on to rain live rabbits down from the sky.”
“That’s a technicality.”
“Want me to rain Gin & It from your showerheads?Rubies in your closet?”
“My closet is already full of rubies.”
“A shower of shoes could cause an accident,” he said, leaning in.“Our cherry blossoms happen behind closed doors.”
“Because what we are is not their business.”
“You got it, baby.”
Lovely as the sight was, she could, honestly, do without the display.Two people in love was one thing, but with their lives so together and their ability to be completely open and free with their relationship… The longer time went on, the more that seemed unattainable.
Roxie turned from Zairn’s kiss almost before it even made contact.She pushed back a step and set her certainty on Ariella.
“We should get back to the hotel.”
“The hotel?”
“It’s easier to police,” Zairn said.
“You can eat, sleep, walk around without people hammering at your door.”
Yeah, her building wasn’t exactly Fort Knox.“I appreciate that, but—”
“If you’d rather we build our base here…” Roxie’s drawn-out words suggested that wasn’t the best idea.“We can.”
