Page 94 of A Simple Reminder

”What?” I grin, unrepentant, leaning down to capture her lips again, this time with a teasing edge. “You think they’ll miss us that much? Besides…” I trail off, my hands sliding back down her sides, lingering just above her hips. ”I’m not done with you yet.”

Her laughter rings out, warm and light, but her eyes flicker with heat. “You’re insatiable, you know that?”

“For you?” I whisper, holding her gaze. “Always.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

LIAM

To say I’m walking on clouds is an understatement. I’ve had this stupid smile plastered on my face the whole week, since Sophie and I finally got together for real. She’s mine again. I smile to myself at the thought—mine and only mine. And I’m hers and only hers.

“Are you okay, sir?” Lilly’s saccharine voice pulls me away from my thoughts, snapping me back to the office and away from where I’d rather be—wrapped up in Sophie.

“I’m all good,” I say, already annoyed by the interruption.

“Oh, you just looked a bit lost,” she says, her head tilting, eyes scanning me in that way I’ve grown to despise. Lost? I scoff to myself. I’m the opposite of lost—I’ve finally reached my destination. I’ve finally made it back home.

“Don’t worry, Lilly,” I reply, my tone sharp enough to end the conversation. “I’m fine.”

She smiles, ignoring the edge in my voice. “Okay, well, I wanted to check what you’d like for lunch?”

I pause for a moment. “Whatever the special is at the usual place. And check what Sophie wants, too. Order something for her—she needs to eat.”

Lilly’s smile falters, but she recovers in a millisecond hiding whatever she feels about Sophie. “Sophie isn’t here. She went out with Jared a few minutes ago, probably for lunch.”

Jared? My jaw tightens, my hands clenching at my sides. Where the hell is she going with him?

I should’ve fired him when I had the chance. Should’ve made damn sure he knew exactly where he belongs. Far away from her.

Lilly hesitates as if waiting for a reaction, but I quickly wave her off, “Thanks, that’ll be all.”

The second she’s gone, I pull out my phone and shoot Sophie a text.

Me

Hey Sunshine, where are you?

My fingers tap against the table, an even-paced rhythm of impatience as I wait for her response. Within two minutes, the three dots appear, and I let out a breath.

Sunshine

I’m on my way to get some lunch with Addie.

You wanna come?

Relief flickers through me, cooling the fire in my chest—but not enough. Just to make sure, I fire off another text. Because I need to hear it from her.

Me

Is Jared with you?

Her reply comes quickly.

Sunshine

Nope. Him and Brian were going to check on lamps or something for the Spa-area. Why?

I exhale, my fingers loosening their grip on the phone. Another message buzzes, from Micah this time.

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