Page 36 of Final Serenade

“This sounds great. Why don’t we come back to it after The Viper Room show?”

“You’re not very enthusiastic about this.” There was a pause. “I can always have Shayne help me.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want to do it. I merely think that before we jump into it, we need to evaluate everything carefully. This is going to suck up all our time.”

Shayne Mason was a sweetheart in person, but she turned into a snobby pushover during interviews.

“Just say it, Cass. You don’t care anymore. If you want to stick to contributing whenever you can, let me know.”

My heart sank to my stomach. Levi had never accused me of not caring about everything we were doing, and his words stung. “Where did this come from?”

He waited before responding. “You’re not present. You missed the deadline on Tuesday.”

“I told you I had some family stuff.” I didn’t feel like telling Levi about my decision to bring Ashton on board, because part of me was convinced my brother wouldn’t even finish the assignment he’d been given. Therefore, he wouldn’t make it to the intern pool.

“I really think this isthestory.”

“Me too. I simply want to meet Isabella in person. I’m not saying I won’t do it. I’m saying I want to make sure she’s not some mean bitch trying to get a free ride. You understand we’ll be playing the role of the nonprofit, right?”

“I have another call. I’ll hit you up later,” Levi muttered and hung up.

I tossed the phone on the desk and spun in my chair, contemplating.

Not only did Frankie Blade have a voice of heartbreak. Hewasheartbreak. Sweet, brooding, and unforgettable. My gut told me he was going to wreck me if I responded to his email. Turned out, I wanted to be wrecked. There were three texts from Jax on my phone I’d been conveniently ignoring. He was perfectly available and perfectly hot. Instead, I chose the man who wouldn’t even give me his cell number.

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

Work a little. Watch Game of Thrones. Eat some vanilla ice cream and wheat and gluten-free crackers.

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

I was going to ask you out, but I don’t think I can compete with Jon Snow. I don’t own a sword.

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

Try me. What else do you have you believe I might be interested in?

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

I can definitely get some gluten-free crackers.

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

You can do better than that, Frank.

FROM: [email protected]

TO: [email protected]

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