Page 47 of Sugar Pie
“Morning,” I said, and my eyelids fluttered closed.
As his hand cupped my hip and our lips met, the world stopped. I wanted him again.
He ended the kiss. “I wish I didn’t have the cabinet installs today.”
I sat with him and repeated his full schedule in case he’d forgotten. “And the new-washing-machine install, the ceiling-fan change, and the new-office-cabinet install.”
He tilted his head. “Want to get out of here and come with me?”
I blinked, unsure if going was a good idea. My head was a mess. I blinked and said, “I should handle the paperwork.”
He stood and stretched, clearly not caring that he was naked. My core still tingled from having him inside me. Heat rose in my face, and I turned away.
“I was thinking you could check out the houses where I install and take notes on homes in the area and how we can ensure ours are well-liked in the internal space.”
I stood and met his gaze. “I love that you respect my opinion.”
He winked as he grabbed a shirt. “You wouldn’t be my partner if I didn’t.”
I gave him a thumbs-up and was happy the night before had just been sex. I grabbed my things and headed to the bathroom. “Right. And okay, I’ll go and take notes.”
“Awesome,” he called behind me.
Business partners and casual sex as an added bonus meant everything was fine. We were living day-by-day, and no hearts were on the line. I could handle that.
23
Warren
I wasn’t the chef in my family, but I’d figured out how to not ruin eggs when I fried them. So I set the toast, started the coffee, and heated the frying pan.
Kerry was in the shower. My phone rang, and I set the eggs on the counter as I answered. “Gerard, I didn’t think you’d call.”
“I let her stay in the spare room and called movers for today.”
Wow.My brother’s life was a mess. I was absolutely sure he would have moved on already. Maybe she’d found his weakness, helping foster and adopted kids like we’d been. I glanced at the door. “Don’t fall for a woman’s sob story.”
He made a sound like he didn’t want to talk about it. “What about you?”
Gerard would figure out his own life. I sprayed the pan with olive oil. “Well, I have a new girlfriend, but I think I’m rushing things.”
“Why?”
I checked to be sure the door was still closed and walked to the other side of the small apartment. “I don’t think she’s ready for a relationship.”
“But you are?”
I wanted her in my life. I nodded. “Absolutely.” Then I headed to the kitchen and rubbed my neck. “Are you sure you want this ex of yours to leave?”
Gerard sighed. “I’d rather not talk about that right now. How do you know your new girlfriend is the one for you?”
I cracked the eggs into the pan. “She makes me feel whole, but I haven’t officially talked to her about feelings.”
“Then nothing is confirmed. Is this the divorced woman Jeff helped you with?”
My heart pounded. “Yeah.”
“Do you know her life story and why she’s getting divorced?”
