Page 125 of Snared

Evie laughed. “Free of charge to family. Now go call him because he’s freaking out.”

I stepped away from Cassie and Evie into an empty corner and tapped on his name.

“She’s an old friend I was catching up with. Those paps always know the right photo angle to take to make it look like more. I know it looks bad, but I promise you, Charlie, there is nothing there.”

“You looked so happy,” I said.

“Because I was telling her about you. I miss you, Charlie. So fucking much.”

My heart melted.

“I miss you too.”

“Good. And my father is a dick, but we already knew that. He’s losing favor here since the Penworth fiasco, and he’s grasping to stay relevant,” Josh said, his voice stronger than when I’d first called. Like he was sure that we were okay, and that made him more confident again. And honestly, I loved that he wanted to be sure we were okay.

“I know.”

He sighed. “I do have to stay a few more days than planned, though. Want to come out here?” he asked.

What I wouldn’t have given to fly out there immediately, but I couldn’t. The timing was terrible. “I wish, but we’re recording again tomorrow. Halfway through the album already.”

“I’ll be back before you know it,” he said. “And then we’re going to figure everything out. I promise.”

“Okay.” I wasn’t sure how to take that last comment.

“Shit. I have to go. Adam just popped in,” Josh said.

“I get it. Tell Adam not to let the Viking guys walk all over him and talk soon,” I said.

And then, with a quick yes, he ended the call.

“Everything good?” Cassie asked as I walked back over to them.

“Uh, I think so. She’s an old friend and he looked happy because he was talking about me.”

Evie grinned. “See? He’s so gone for you. There’s nothing to worry about, okay.”

I nodded.

Nothing to worry about, right?

Two days later, I was missing Josh badly. I was tempted to get on a plane for a quick trip, but that was beyond frivolous. Just because I had the money didn’t mean I had to be crazy with it.

I flopped back on my couch with my phone pressed to my ear.

“Fuck, I wish you were here,” Josh said. “I think I’ve forgotten how you taste.”

“So hurry up and get back here,” I said, shifting my hips because now all I could think about was him tasting me.

“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you,” he murmured.

I huffed out a breath. “Of course I am.”

“Then we can suffer together. Three days tops, then I’m all yours.”

Heat pooled in my belly. “You bet your ass you are.”

“You can have more than my ass,” he said, chuckling.