Page 64 of Perfect Pitch

I open my mouth to answer and realize I can’t give her a solid response. There’s only one thing that comes to my mind. “You’re more than just a few lines on a piece of paper.”

Her eyes narrow into slits. “Darn right, I am.”

Trevor saves me by asking, “What are you even doing here?”

I just wanted to be with Austyn. But considering the narrow-eyed glare I’m receiving from behind the green bottle she’s swigging, I adapt my response. “I was at loose ends.”

Trevor easily accepts my response. “You know you’re welcome here any time. Why don’t you go borrow some clothes, get out of your work gear, and join us?”

Now, it’s Trevor who is being treated to a filthy look from Austyn. I suppress the urge to kiss her the way I’m dying to change her anger into heart pounding heat of another kind—forcing her mind from being a pissed off she-devil to purring like she did the other night. “I’ll do just that.”

I make my way down the hall when their voices begin to whisper. All I can make out is “wear” from Austyn.

My brother, on the other hand, has no problem with his tone. He openly declares, “Anything you want. Anything goes at that place.”

Austyn’s uncertain, “Are you sure?” Has me pausing.

“Trust me. Everyone who goes there has this ability to look hot as fuck.”

God, what the hell is going on? Then fear lances through me. Is she going out on a date with someone? You haven’t made any commitment to her. And she’s so much younger. Maybe this is the way it’s done these days...

Quickly I brush the idea aside. That’s not Austyn and I don’t need an investigator’s report to tell me that. On top of which, there’s no way my own brother would allow Austyn to date someone else while she’s with me. I rub my hand over my chest, surprised at how much the idea hurts. Would it surprise you, asshole? You haven’t been the most forthcoming guy when it comes to her, not to mention you just announced you had her investigated. Wearily, I grab a pair of basketball shorts and a T-shirt from Trevor’s dresser and shed my suit and tie.

Barefoot, I make my way back down the hall when I’m overpowered by the smell of movie theater butter. My stomach growls, reminding me I haven’t eaten all day.

“Are you mad at him?” Trevor asks.

“Hurt. I... I thought he wanted to get to know me the same way I wanted to know him. I haven’t asked you a thing about him.”

“At least nothing that matters,” he agrees.

I slump against the wall, visible if Austyn would just turn around.

She shakes the contents of the microwave snack into a bowl. “Let me let you in on a little secret, Trev.”

“What’s that, Austyn?”

“Men who aren’t honest aren’t worth chasing after.”

“Who taught you that?”

“My mama.” Her laugh is brittle. That’s when she turns and finds me leaning there.

Without a word, I walk toward her and lift the bowl from her hands. Setting it on the counter, I do something I hardly do. “I’m sorry.”

She ignores me, trying to slide by.

I rest a hand on her shoulder. “Beats, I’m truly sorry. I ordered that report before I started to get to know you. Then curiosity got to me.”

Her eyes flick up to mine. “You know where I should tell you to shove your apology.”

I pass a hand over her hair. “I hope you don’t.”

Her body is still stiff against mine. “What did it say?”

I don’t leave anything out. By the time I’m done, her lips are twitching. Leaning over, I whisper in her ear, “Congratulations.”

Her brow furrows. “Do you really mean that or are you just trying to be nice to me so I’ll forgive you?”

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