Page 23 of First Comes Forever

“I’m not done—”

I hold up my hands in defense. “I don’t think we’re missing out on much—”

“That’s not your call to make alone. I’m part of this team, too. I fix all your messes. Does Chase’s fake girlfriend ring a bell? Thanks again for dumping that on my lap. For once, I needed your help. All you had to do was show up and shake some hands—”

“Chase isn’t going to have much time for commercials and sponsorship obligations—”

“Well, he has to do something!You can’t just disappear from Hollywood for years and expect your career—”

“C!”

“What?” she bites out.

“We gotDynasty Man. I got the call on Monday. I was just waiting for LMC to send me the redlines. The deal looks great. Chase can’t take on any sponsorships right now without the studio’s approval, okay? So breathe. We did it.You did it.Let Chase’s redemption story begin. Noa made this happen, and you kept Noa safe and happy with this whole arrangement. We are officially in your debt.”

She’s stunned for a moment, sitting quietly and just blinking at me. Finally, near tears, she hops off the bar stool and wraps her arms around my neck. “Holy shit. I really didn’t think we had a chance. Does Chase know?”

“Yeah, I told him Monday. Actually, he’s on his way to Denver right now with Jay.”

She steps back, breaking our hug, but her hand remains on my shoulder. I’m not complaining. You have to earn Cici’s hugs and affection. It’s rare that she isn’t sassing or snapping at me and Chase for some stupid thing or another we’ve done. “Why is he headed to Denver?”

“He wants to spend the rest of summer with Noa before filming starts.” I pump my eyebrows at her. “We’re no longer liars because if everything goes his way, she really is his girlfriend now. I swear on my life, he’s going to marry this girl. I’ve never seen him so—”

“Relaxed, right?” She squeezes my shoulder. “I didn’t want to jinx it. You know how when something is too good to be true, there’s always an impending fire? I just for sure thought he wouldn’t get the role, or something disastrous would happen between those two. But she’s bringing out this side of him… God, I mean, he’s always smiling and practically bounces around when he’s on the phone with her—which is nonstop, by the way. Maybe this really will be his happy ever after.”

The way her eyes are nearly tearing up in glee is why Cici might be the only woman on the planet I trust. This is our family. We have one common goal. We win together, we stress together, and we protect Chase at all costs. This right here is why I don’t date. The only reason I can trust Cici like this is because there is absolutely no part of my male brain that wonders what she looks like naked, and I’m pretty sure she’d vomit at the idea of me in bed. It’s perfect, the very reason I don’t blur lines with women. Friendship is strength. Love muddles everything. It blinds you and makes you vulnerable.

“Wait,” Cici suddenly says.Whack!

Her palm collides against my chest with such force she nearly sends me backward, completely ruining our sentimental moment.

“Um. Ow?”

“What the hell?” She’s glaring at me now, realization washing over her face.

“What?”

“So you, Chase, Jay, and I’m assuming Mark as well, have all known that we gotDynasty Mansince Monday and no one told me? It’s Saturday, Adam!”

“Ah, fuck,” I grumble. Did not see that landmine. Whoops.

“See? This is the shit I’m sick of. I’malwaysthe last to know…”

I’m trying to pay attention, but her words sound garbled as my mind wanders to Amani and what she’s been up to for the past few days. It’s why I’m here, anyway. Cici has information that I need, and so for now, I have to be on my best behavior as she chastises me for my oversight.

“…and not only that, but it’s the fact that it makes my job so much more difficult. You never let me into the little boys’ club, when I’m responsible for…”

Goddamn, I’ve opened up a can of worms.

I hoist my elbow on the counter and rest my cheek against my fist, pretending to listen to her chastisement. “You’re right, C, I was wrong. That was inconsiderate of me. I’m sorry. Moving forward, I’ll make sure you’re my very next call after Chase, okay? Hell, I’ll just three-way call if that helps? Just tell me what makes you comfortable.”

She returns to her seat and glowers at me as she points to the box of crullers. “These are poisoned, aren’t they?”

“What?”

“No way you’re being this nice for no reason. The only way Adam Montgomery would ever utter the words ‘I was wrong’ is because you’re luring me into a false sense of security shortly before my death…or you want something.”

“Not poisoned. But I saw how they make those, and cardiac arrest or a sugar coma should be at the top of your list of concerns.” I smirk. “But are we not allowed to stop the war for one day?”

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