Page 23 of American Beauty

My sister smirks, looking far too pleased with herself. Without doubt, hiring her is a mistake.

I point to the door. “Out.”

Leilani blinks at me, all fake innocence. “What? I’m just getting comfortable.”

“Out,” I repeat, leveling her with a glare.

She sighs, rising from her chair like it’s the greatest hardship of her life. “Fine, fine. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone to chat.” She turns toward the door but pauses long enough tocall out, “Magnolia, if he chooses to discuss his prescription enhancement options with you, please know that I support whatever decision he makes.”

“Get the fuck out, Leilani!”

“Fine. I’ll go grab a coffee so you don’t make me throw up with how in love you are.”

I press the phone back to my ear. “Sorry about her.”

Magnolia’s soft laughter carries through the line, melting the tension coiled inside me. “Don’t be. She’s hilarious.”

“That’s debatable.”

“So… prescription enhancement options, huh? What’s up with that?”

“Just my sister ragging on me about some erectile dysfunction spam emails.”

She laughs. “Oh, you one hundred percent don’t need that.”

“Damn straight.”

Like hell I ever would. Not with her. Magnolia turns me on beyond reason—always has, from the moment I laid eyes on her. It’s the way she moves, the way she teases, the way she looks at me like she knows what she’s doing to me. She doesn’t have to try. One word from her, and it’s like flipping a switch—every nerve wired straight to her.

“What are your plans for tonight?”

“Dinner and drinks with Violet. A new sushi bar opened downtown. We figured we’d check it out.”

I wish like hell I could be there—sliding into a booth beside her, stealing bites off her plate, kissing the soy sauce off the corner of her mouth.

Instead, I’m imagining every bastard in that bar looking at what’s mine. “Wish I was there.”

“I do too.”

I smile, even as something tightens in my gut. “Have an old-fashioned for me.”

“I’ll have two. One for you, one for me.”

“Don’t let Violet talk you into trouble.”

“She wouldn’t dare. Besides, I’m trouble enough on my own.”

And damn if she isn’t.

The thought of her out there—radiant and laughing––makes a part of me want to lock her away and keep every smile for myself. But the smarter part of me knows her light isn’t mine to dim.

I clear my throat, shifting gears because if I stay on that thought, I’ll end up booking a damn flight tonight.

“Any word yet about being sent back to Sydney?”

“Nothing yet. I don’t expect to hear anything for a little while. Gabby wants to see what Team Australia does without us.”

It’s a job trying to keep my frustration in check. “Sorry. I’m anxious.”

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