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“I won’t have sex with her. Not unless I marry her.”

Jordan’s eyes widened. “Marriage?”

Quentin nodded. Jordan felt like he was in an alternate universe talking to another dude name Quentin. Jordan considered walking out the room and dragging Phoebe off down the hall. She would be mad, fighting and cursing him to hell, but she would thank him later for saving her from what would inevitably become a devastating heartbreak. Jordan had seen the women break down over Quentin; some would hold on to his ankle as he casually stepped over them, and there was no way he would let Phoebe put herself in that line of fire.

On the other hand, he’d seen the way she’d blanked out after finding out about Quentin’s accident. He talked to her the whole ride to the hospital, and she hadn’t responded to him besides asking how close they were. It made him wonder how long they’d been seeing each other, and it pissed him off even more.

“I’m not telling Jonathon about this,” Jordan said. “You’re telling him yourself.”

“I didn’t expect you to tell him,” Quentin responded.

“Good because I don’t want to be around when he knocks some sense into you.”

“I know why you’re responding this way. But you know me, man.”

“Yeah, that’s right, I know you!” Jordan pointed at Quentin with his jaw locked. Jordan shook his head once and let out a frustrated breath as he pivoted on his heels. He strolled to the door with one last warning for Quentin. “If you hurt her…”

“Understood,” Quentin said.

Jordan left the room, and no sooner than he did, Jordan met Phoebe in the hall. She stood against the wall with her arms crossed and a thundering headache that had suddenly come on.

Jordan swept his trench coat back, placing his hands on his hips.

“Why him?”

Phoebe licked her lips and pulled them between her teeth. “Why does it matter? Would it be that different if it were someone else?”

“Yes, it would.”

Phoebe dropped her arms. “I don’t understand. You would trust him with your life, but not with me?”

Jordan dropped his head and sighed. “It’s not the same.” Jordan looked back at her.

“That’s the same thing he said,” she pointed out.

“He’s telling the truth. I trust him with my life because he’s my brother. I don’t trust him with you because he’s not that guy, Phoebe.”

Phoebe stared at her brother, and her throat tightened.

“Don’t fall in love with him,” Jordan said. “If you have to…” his words trailed, “date him, do it and get it out of your system. But don’t fall in love with him. Promise me.”

They stared each other down, Phoebe wondering if this was happening and Jordan hoping beyond hope that she heeded his advice. Turning her gaze away from him, Phoebe looked down the hallway at the passing food cart that stopped by room to room.

“Phoebe,” Jordan said.

“You’re wrong,” she said, keeping her eyes down the hall.

“I’m not.”

Silence lingered between them, and finally, Phoebe turned back.

“You’re wrong,” she said, “and I’m going to prove it.”

“Phoebe…”

“You said you would stay out of my business. You just made that promise today. Are you planning to take that back?”

“That’s not fair. I know this man. I’m only trying to look out for you.”

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