Page 25 of Flame
“Tell me.”
“Fuck his brains out.”
“Astrid!” I laugh too loudly. “Where did that come from?”
She giggles. “Look, as your only friend—and I say that with all the love in the world—it’s my job to give you girlfriend advice. The same advice I’d give my other friends.”
“You mean, the other friends that don’t pay you to like them?” I shake my head. “I’m so pathetic.”
“It’s only pathetic because you don’t leave your damn office long enough to have friends. When was the last time you went somewhere with people your own age that you didn’t have to go?”
I narrow my eyes playfully. “I don’t pay you to be mean to me.”
“The truth hurts. And so will you tomorrow if you follow my advice.”
I laugh again. “You know what, Astrid? I like this new side of you.”
“Oh, no. This isn’t new. This is a side of me that doesn’t need to come to work very often. This is the first time in five years that you’ve neededthis me. I can bethis mewhenever you need her—and I hope you need her more.”
The lightness in my body makes me feel the same.I hope I needthis hermore, too.
“So since we’re talking about me needing you, can you get me a few basics for a few days? Clothes, my thyroid medicine, a bikini?”
“Absolutely. Aside from the meds, anything specific you want?”
“Not really. You know what I like. Wait. Do you remember my red bikini with the triangular top?”
“I do.”
“Can you dig that out? If not, it’s fine. But I’d really like to have it down here.” My stomach twists as I remember Foxx’s reaction the last time I wore it in front of him. I grin mischievously. “And that see-through cover-up I got in Bali last year.”
“Got ya, boss. I can overnight it, but you won’t have it until Monday morning. Can you figure things out until then? I can get your doctor to call you in a couple of pills somewhere local to you, so you should be able to get those tonight, if a pharmacy is open wherever you are.”
“I’m in Kismet Beach, Florida. And, yes, that all works great. Thank you, Astrid.”
“Of course. If you think of anything else, just call or text me. And feel free to do the same if anything else happens that’s noteworthy.”
I laugh. “I’m pretty sure he’s ruled out anythingnoteworthyfrom happening. But I might have a little fun torturing him back since he left me without saying goodbye.”
“That’s my girl!”
“Goodbye, Astrid.”
“Goodbye, Bianca.”
I end the call just as the garage door opens. Foxx walks in, looking a little worse for wear. His shirt is slightly askew, and his forehead is marred with lines like he’s been in deep thought.
My brows pull together. “Are you all right?”
He runs his hand through his already-mussed hair and sighs. He stares at me for a moment, and I think that he might answer me.
But he doesn’t.
“Did you get your calls made?” he asks.
I start to point out that he’s ignoring my questionsagainbut stop short of opening my mouth. Something tells me now isn’t the time to screw with him.
“I did,” I say.
