Page 44 of Without Regret

She lit up at the idea. “So hey, Dad mentioned he’s home on Thursday and wants to have your team over for dinner on Friday. But I told him I’d check with you first.”

I knew Emma would probably freak out at the thought, but if we hadn’t been sleeping together, I’d have extended the invitation without hesitation. “Wait, what kind of invite?”

Ever since my father had announced his run for mayor, he’d turned allegedly social dinners into political events.

She sighed. “You know him. I can’t make any promises it won’t end up a fundraiser or some other big deal.”

“I’ll ask Simon and Emma if they want to come.” I’d have preferred not to have Tom in the mix but knew I might have no choice since he’d be in town.

Okay let me know. How are things with Emma?”

Although it was tempting to tell someone about our newfound relationship, my little sister wasn’t that person. “We work well together, but other than that, there isn’t a lot to say.”

“Damn. Never thought I’d see the day you couldn’t charm a girl out of her panties.”

I made a face. “Don’t say that word to me.”

“Panties?”

I full on cringed. “Yes. I don’t want my little sister having a conversation with that word ever.”

She grinned mischievously. “Hey, I could’ve said thong.”

I did an impression of a five-year-old throwing my hands over my ears and started to sing-song, “La, la, la.”

We both laughed, and then she knelt down to pet Rufus who had laid down on the cool marble floor. “Come on. I’ll make a big breakfast with plenty of bacon for you, too, Rufus.”

Since she’d been the one to volunteer at the shelter and beg me to foster him, she was responsible for me meeting and ultimately adopting him.

“How’s work at the shelter?” One reason Avery’s outburst at the gym had been so uncharacteristic was that she was unbelievably generous when it came to most things.

“Good, but sad. I wish I could adopt them all.”

So did I. But we’d have to settle for donating money and time, hoping they’d eventually find forever homes.

***

At two o’clock on Sunday, I pulled up to the structure on the outskirts of Houston which housed Big Town Fantasy Sports. It was a twelve-story building in a commerce business park. With the exception of a few cars, the lot was empty today.

Once my motorcycle was off, I swung my denim-clad leg over the seat and hung my helmet on the handlebars. It had been a nice day, inspiring me to ride the Harley instead of taking my truck. I walked towards the entrance and saw Emma standing there, stunning in a navy dress with nude pumps. I might not be a fashion-conscious type of guy, but I knew when a woman wore it well, and she definitely did. Too bad good taste in clothes made me want to undress her more than admire her in them.

“Hi,” I greeted her, my voice husky and low.

She looked beyond me and appeared taken aback. “You ride a motorcycle?”

“Yeah, when I can.”

“A Harley?”

She was starting to wear her turned-on expression. “Yes. Why? Are you a fan of motorcycles?”

She swallowed hard. “Yeah. I—”

We were interrupted by a female voice accompanying the click-clack of heels on the floor coming towards us.

“Hello. You must be Ms. Brown.” She greeted Emma and then turned towards me. “And you must be Mr. Newhall. So nice to meet you in person. I was happy when Emma emailed me to tell me you’d be coming. I’m Adrienne Jones.”

Adrienne was a leggy blonde with the skirt to show off her assets and a mega-watt smile. She had a Texas accent along with a designer suit and jewelry. In all, I might have thought her attractive if I wasn’t already halfway in love with the woman beside me. I took Adrienne’s offered hand. “Please, call me Trevor.”

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