Page 55 of Nothing to Beat

“What?Ow,” Tripp said, barely lowering his phone.No way that subtle kick was hard enough to hurt.“I don’t promise silence, it comes as standard.But you’re crazy if you think she let any other guy touch her.”

“You may have a vested interest in believing your brother gets the prize,” Roxie said, addressing the man still typing into his phone.“Around here we keep our options open.And if someone wants to take a different path, we support them, without judgment.”

That was almost funny.

“He’s a Breckenridge,” Sequoia said, beaming in pride and amusement.“They’re taught support not judgment before they can walk.”Roxie sighed and sank against the backrest.“You’re right.I wasn’t walking.I can’t tell you where I was, but it wasn’t a betrayal.Breck would support me.”

If she ever told him.

“Support not judgment,” Tripp muttered then groaned and raised his phone before dropping his hand to his lap.“If we’re in a three-way cellphone situation, the least you two could do is provide a charger.”

“Blame Z for that, he’s always hiding them from me.Don’t worry, youngster, the world can do without us for a while.”

“I’m older than you,” Tripp said.

“Yet not quite ripe.You still have some growing to do, honey.”

His swagger bloomed.“I grow and show, honey.”

Sheesh, her eyes rolled.Who was he trying to impress?

Roxie hunkered her head lower.“It’s exciting being disconnected from the world, a little scary, exhilarating.”

“Yeah, for you.You live for giving your guy a heart attack every once in a while,” Tripp said, shaking the phone at Roxie.“Some of us have lives to run.”

“Oh, you are not on there boosting your portfolio or making time-sensitive corporate choices.You’re lining up tonight’s pussy.”

He sniffed.“I’m getting withdrawal.”

“You’re not the only one,” Roxie said and their eyes met.

Both shivered and spoke together, “Never.”

LA offered hope and confusion, this trip was supposed to level her life.What if she failed?What if she couldn’t—it didn’t matter, she had to try.

“I got them to bring things to the hotel,” Roxie said.“Clothes from the plane, Lilya’s place—or wherever.Point is, everything we need will be waiting for us.”

“Thank you,” she said.“You didn’t have to come with me, I would’ve figured this out…”

“Tripp and I love an adventure.”

“Yeah, but you’re getting married and—”

“Jane’s taking care of all that.Details.”

Would she be so glib about her own wedding?Yeah, right, like that would happen any time soon.A woman like Roxie, popular, in the public eye, people wanted to see it, they wanted the spectacle of ice sculptures and swans and all the trimmings.Except what she’d learned about the woman spoke to her sincerity.That frivolity was expected by the masses, and Roxie would give the crowd what they wanted.Even if it was her best friend organizing the whole thing.

“Are you nervous?”

“About what?”Roxie asked, completely relaxed.“Going to the hotel?I’ve been here before.In fact, if you’re in the mood for a little nostalgia, Zairn and I met in this hotel.”

“You did?”

“Yeah,” Roxie said and the glimpse of a secret smile endeared her even further.“A long time ago.”

“How long ago?”

“A year, year and a half.Something like that.”Roxie sighed.“Sometimes it’s like we met yesterday…” The woman’s eyes narrowed.“But I can’t remember not being in love with him.”

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