Page 182 of Grand Love

Mase

Two weeks later.

Nina Anderson isthe flightiest woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’m at one with the fact that I will spend the rest of my life fighting against the tide to keep her with me. Because I love her.

“You’re making a big deal out of this,” Charlie tells me from his spot on the weight bench. “She’s been at your place every night since Lowerwick.”

“Are you still pussyfooting around this? Just ask her already,” Elliot says, grunting as he does another bicep curl. His eyes follow the brunette who coincidentally needed to walk around the rigs to get to the treadmills.

“Shut up, dick.” I whip him in the gut with my towel. “You have no idea what it took to get her to move in the first time.”

“What did it take?” Elliot asks, dropping the weight to the rack and smirking as if he already knows.

I wish it was as easy as sex. “I took her to Paris.”

“Oh,” Elliot says, disappointed.

“Charlie’s right, Lowell. I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Lance tells me, stepping up to us and swiping his brow with a towel.

“Is it too soon?” I ponder. “It doesn’t feel too soon, and we’ve never been good at going slow.”

“You have a kid together, of course it’s not too soon,” Elliot mutters, running his fingers through his blond hair. “It’s Nina, mate. You’re not moving on, are you? So just get on with it already.”

* * *

Nina

I’m almost finished washingup when Lucy and Megan come bouncing into my apartment. Their faces are bright and excited, and I frown as they approach me. “Why do you look like that?” I ask, placing a saucepan into the cupboard.

“Look like what?” Megan smirks.

“Like you have a secret up your ass.”

They look at each other. “Maybe we do.” Lucy’s grin is so wide, I’m surprised it doesn’t crack her face.

Lucy’s wearing white jeans and a powder blue silk shirt, her heeled ankle boots making her a good foot taller than me. My eyes flick to Megan, noting her suede skirt and polo. “Where are you going?” I ask, trying to figure out if I’ve missed something.

“Megs, go get Ellis.” Lucy bounces on the spot, pulling an envelope from her clutch.

“What’s this?” I ask, watching as Megan skirts off down the corridor. “Megs, don’t wake him up!”

“Shh! Open it,” Lucy fusses.

I shake my head, pulling open the seal.

Angel.

I need you to bear with me here.

I ask that you follow the clues to each location.

I’ll make it worth your while.

M

My forehead creases as I look up at Lucy. “What’s this all about?”

She shrugs, but the look on her face tells me she knows exactly what it’s about. Megan rushes up next to her, eagerly looking over at the note in my hand.

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