Page 108 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“I’m going to take a shower.”

I want to join her. Hell, I’m tempted to sneak in behind her and kiss away the pain. But I hold back. It’s definitely not the right time.

Tally passes out in bed right after the shower, her last remnants of energy drained. I tuck her in, stealing a kiss for the first time in almost a week. Christ, I miss this woman.

But I have another problem to deal with—and her name is Charlotte. My phone has been blowing up, with calls and texts from my ex.

The woman can’t be serious.

I step onto Tally’s porch, noting how the one side sags with age. No way will I let her stay here much longer. Not happening.

I answer the incoming call on the first ring. Time to put Charlotte back in her place. “This is not a good time.”

“How is she?”

“Donottell me you called ten times and texted ten more to inquire how Tally is feeling.”

“No, but it seemed the courteous thing to ask.”

I release a groan, scrubbing my face with my hand. “What do you need, Charlotte?”

“I’ve sent out the invitations for the banquet, and we’ve already gotten quite the response.”

“That’s great.” It is great. The more investors involved, the less the Auerback family needs to contribute, and I won’t feel indebted to them again.

“I want you to accompany me to the dinner.”

“As your date?”

“Don’t sound so horrified. Not as a date, just an escort. We are the two people spearheading this facility, Owen. It would make sense.”

“I disagree.”

“Will you at least consider it?”

A headache brews behind my eyes. “Charlotte, please don’t push this issue. Especially not today. I have to go. Do you need anything else?”

There’s a few seconds pause before she sighs, letting me off the hook—and call. “No. We can discuss the details at another time. Goodnight.”

“Is she angry?”

I whip around. Tally is standing in the doorway, biting her lower lip. Wonderful. This is all she needs. Part of me wants to pretend it wasn’t Charlotte on the phone, but I’ve seen how well dishonesty has worked in the past. “She wanted to see how you were doing.”

I see Tally chewing the words, tasting them for sincerity. “That’s kind of her. I’m fine, if you need to go.”

“I don’t need to go.” I close the distance between us, stiffening when her hands raise, blocking any additional forward movement.

“You’ve been a tremendous help, Owen, but Stefani will be here any minute. Go, take care of Charlotte.”

“I told you earlier, Charlotte can take care of herself.”

“So can I, Owen.”

“I know you can, but dammit, Tally, Iwantto take care of you.”

“Because you think I need the help?” Tears bubble in her eyes again, and I can only imagine what mental film reel is rolling in her brain, starring me and my ex-fiancée.

“No, because I love you. I love every single, sexy, saucy inch of you.”

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