Page 54 of Nothing to Beat

“I should go and figure out what’s next with these guys.”

“Always here if you need me.”Yes, he was.“I love you.”

“I know you do,” she teased and hung up.

“Ah, young love,” Roxie said.

Instead of staring at the phone, she should get moving, time was running short.

“I have to be back at work on Monday,” she said.“Can I get a ride to the airport?”

“You know it’s only Saturday,” Roxie said, climbing onto the end of the bed to sit with them as she drew her bent knees back up.“You don’t have to rush back to Manhattan.”

“I’m not rushing back.I have another stop to make.”

“Oh, another stop…” Roxie drew nearer.“Let me guess, it begins with L and ends in A.”When she tilted her head, Roxie just shrugged.“Might not seem like it, but I do pay attention.”She poked Tripp’s leg, still concealed under the sheet.“Want to join us in the sun, Priest?”

“Crimson Isle?”He was right there, no way he hadn’t heard their previous exchange.“I never say no to California.”

“Because there are so many babes in micro-mini skirts flashing their boobs?”

“No, just love the hot dogs.”

“Okay, but we can’t stay at Lilya’s.The house is being renovated before they bring the baby back.”

“We have options,” Tripp said.“But, so we’re clear, if you get arrested, Rox Out, I’m not bailing you out.My mom doesn’t need to see that picture on the internet.”

“All the crazy pictures of you out there, and this is where you draw the line?”

Tripp drew a line on the bed with a fingertip.“Right there…” But when he licked his lips, his smile reigned.“‘Cause I’ve got to say, you leaving Z at the altar because you’re locked up… there’s poetry in that.”

Rather than be offended, Roxie laughed.“Oh, the things you don’t know, little one.”

“Now I’m intrigued.”

“Be intrigued,” she said and leaped to her feet.“But do it on the way to the airport.”

TWENTY

“I SHOULD’VE ASKED…” she said, drawing her attention away from LA passing beyond the car window.“Was Zairn mad we left New York?”

“I don’t know,” Roxie replied.“I didn’t ask him.”

“You couldn’t tell by talking to him?”

“Casanova knows to expect the unexpected from me.He likes it when I let loose,” Roxie said, adjusting her angle until her whole body aimed her way.The position matched the expectation on the beauty’s brow.“And since we’re asking questions, do you want to tell us where you disappeared to last night?”

“I didn’t disappear last night, I… I went out this morning to get my head straight.”

“Uh huh.Out where?”

“Nowhere specific, just wandering.”

“You weren’t wearing shoes… or pants.”Yeah, and there was the flaw in her plan.She’d only been wearing the tee-shirt Roxie provided for her to sleep in.No idea who it belonged to, but she’d guess the owner was male.What a great idea, Porter, so much for Roxie accepting a non-answer.“You don’t answer to anyone, honey, but this is a safe space, right here.We won’t report back to your guy, no matter what.”

Is that what Roxie thought?That she’d been out looking for action?

Roxie’s foot sprang out to catch Tripp on the shin even though the rest of her didn’t move.

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