Page 166 of Vegas Heat

“Uh, yeah, that’s why I asked.” I say it like the answer is obvious, and he chuckles.

“I told him I took care of you in my mom’s backseat. Should I not have said that?”

I smack him in the shoulder.

He grins at me. “I told him you’re fine and it was nice of him to send moral support from the Heat.”

I narrow my eyes into a glare. “Is that all I am to you? Moral support from the Heat?”

He plants his hands on my hips and pulls me into him, and then he backs me into the brick wall beside us and lowers his mouth until it’s centimeters from mine. “I think you know you’re more than that to me.”

His mouth doesn’t touch mine, and the fact that he’s so close yet so far grates on me as butterflies coast through me. I tip my chin to try to catch his lips, and he backs his mouth away. When his eyes fall to mine, they’re heated and genuine. “You’re everything to me, Gabriella Grant.Everything.” His voice is rich and raspy, and I melt into a puddle of lust as he presses a soft kiss to my lips.

“Right back at you, Captain,” I say when he lets go of me, and he winks before we head back inside.

Once we’re back up in the waiting room, a text from Justin comes through.

Justin:You’re in freaking CHICAGO with CN? What’s that like after all the D-R-A-M-A? I need all the details stat.

As I’m reading the one from Justin, one from Chloe comes through, too.

Chloe:Joanie just told us your dad sent you to Chicago and that’s why you haven’t been in. Is everything okay?

I write back Justin first, but I’m vague just in case he’s with the other interns.

Me:Drama averted, back together. [wink emoji]

I write back Chloe next.

Me:Cooper Noah’s brother had a heart attack and my dad asked if I could be moral support from the Heat since he couldn’t be there. Everything is okay. His brother should be released in the next day or two and I’m guessing I’ll be back by Monday. How’s everything there?

Justin’s reply comes first.

Justin:OMG WHAT? WHEN? You didn’t think to call your best friend to tell him?

I giggle.

Me:I’m so sorry. It’s been a whirlwind. I’ll call you later tonight, k?

Chloe’s next text comes in, and I flip to her message.

Chloe:Oh man, glad he’s okay. M is being a total bitch and I can’t stand it here without you. Hurry back!

I take M to mean Mackenzie, and I thought she was just a bitch to me. I guess I was wrong.

Me:I always thought she hated me because I’m Troy’s daughter. Guess she’s like that with everyone?

Chloe:Girrrrl, you have no idea. Call me later, I’ll fill you in.

As much as I’m enjoying this retreat with Cooper and his family, I’m also finding myself excited to get back home to my internship. What if all three of us are hired on in the social media department? I realize it’s unlikely given the fact that Justin doesn’t want to work in baseball, but maybe I can convince him to change his mind. It would certainly be a fun work environment—especially if we delete Mackenzie from the equation.

Which reminds me—I text Justin again.

Me:What’s the latest with B?

His response comes quick, and it’s simply a fire emoji.

I laugh.

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