Page 27 of Diamonds & Deception

He holds out his phone. “You told me to hang on, but you hung up on me.”

“Sorry.” I rub my eyes. “My brain isn’t functioning yet.” I step back so he has room to come inside.

Immediately, I’m engulfed in his strong arms. “What’s wrong, Nora?”

I groan into his chest. Has he always smelled this good? Yeah, he has. Sandalwood and soap cleanse my senses and I rub my cheek against him, soaking up his scent and warmth.

“Avery came over last night. I may have had too much vodka.”

His chest shakes under me, and I hear him chuckle. “You’re hungover.”

“Little bit.”

He rubs his hands up and down my back, and I’m already feeling better. “Go sit. I’ll make you coffee.”

“My hero.” I reluctantly step out of his embrace and plop on the couch. I’m not exactly curled in a ball, but I’m close.

I hear the gurgling of my coffeemaker, and a moment later, I smell the rich hazelnut of my favorite blend.

“I take it by the vanilla creamer in the fridge, that’s what you take in your coffee?”

“Mmm.” When the cushions sink next to me, I open my eyes and give him a smile. “Thank you.”

Drake hands me the cup and two ibuprofen. “I found these in your cabinet. I figured you could use them. Want some water too?”

“No. This is perfect. Thank you.” I take a few sips of coffee and then wash down the pain medication.

“Where’s Daisy?”

I freeze for a moment as I come up with a lame reason. “Doggy daycare.”

“I’m surprised you were in any condition to bring her this morning.”

“They have a key.”

We sit in silence for a few minutes, me drinking my coffee and Drake softly rubbing his hand up and down my arm and my back. I love his touch and lean into him. When the cocktail of caffeine and ibuprofen starts to do its magic, I sit up straighter.

“I didn’t know you were coming by so early or I would have been up and ready.”

“You sure you would’ve been able to?” He eyes the empty vodka bottle and the two glasses on my coffee table.

“I wasn’t planning on a third night of drinking. Avery called and needed me.”

“Is she okay?”

“Yeah. First day on the job nerves. Impostor syndrome. I think I talked her off the ledge, but maybe not. I had no idea I drank so much until she was leaving.”

“That was nice of you to be there for her.”

“She told me a little about her and Trey.” I don’t want to ruin our nice moment by putting my research hat on, but it’s an opening I have to take. “Do you know much about their family?”

“A little. The first time I met his sister was atThe Locallast week. Trey’s quiet about his life.”

“And you’re an open book?” I hope I come across lighthearted.

“Anything you want to know, just ask.” He kisses my forehead, and I lean my body against his side.

“Are you from Boston?”

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