Page 52 of Reckless King

I screw my face up. Apparently, he can read me like an open book, even over the phone. “I knew that’s what you meant.”

“Of course you did. So, are you available?”

Desperate to recover my mental and emotional footing, I make my voice as nonchalant as possible. “I’ll have to check my calendar.”

“Violet.”

Oh. Oh wow. The grit in his voice when he says my name sends an involuntary quiver through me. Thank god he’s not here to see it.

“Fine. Yes. I suppose it makes sense to be seen in more intimate settings as well as big events to make our relationship believable.”

“Exactly,” he says smoothly.

“Then yes, I’m available.”

When we end the call, I turn back to Jarrod and the delivery man. “Thank you for waiting. And yes, it’d be great if you could install it.”

He nods and sets to work while Jarrod joins me, a frown on his face. “Did you find out where it came from?”

“It was Tate.”

Behind Jarrod, the delivery man quickly and efficiently adds the machine to the existing plumbing.

Jarrod’s brows arch. “Your new boyfriend sure knows how to make a splash.”

“He’s just trying to help. He noticed that we were having trouble with the machine the other day, and he didn’t want us to have to worry about fixing it all the time.”

“I bet that’s what he was worried about,” Jarrod murmurs.

I turn to him. “What do you mean?”

He shakes his head, a smile flickering at the corners of his lips. “Nothing. But since we now have a shiny new espresso machine, let’s practice using it by making ourselves a pre-rush coffee.”

I smile. He’s being optimistic, considering the rush isn’t all that much of a rush. Not yet anyway. But it will be soon. I know it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

VIOLET

Anna plops down on my bed with a sigh. “I’m feeling a tad bit jealous right now. I’ve wanted to have dinner at Trio’s for ages.”

Ducking my head, I smooth the satiny material of my red dress down over my hips. “Does this look okay?”

“You look fabulous. You’ll have Tate tripping over his own tongue.”

I laugh, but my heart sinks a little. “Believe me, with the women Tate has been with, the only thing he’ll be tripping over while in my presence is his limp dick.”

“Pfft.” She swats at me from where she’s curled up on the mattress. “Tate would have to be blind not to see how gorgeous you are.”

Gingerly, I bend down and give her a hug, careful of the expensive dress I’ve just slipped into. “What would I do without you?”

“You wouldn’t be going out to Trio’s tonight, that’s for sure.”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “You’re taking credit for all of this?”

She arches a brow. “Of course. If I hadn’t invited you to Onyx, none of this would have happened.” Her smirk turns into agenuine smile. “But seriously, I’m happy for you, Vi. You deserve to be spoiled a little.”

“Thanks. I’m looking forward to it.”

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