Page 98 of Already Callin’ You Mine

What?! Is he insane? I have to clean. It’s like he didn’t listen to a word I said.

“Jace, I have to⁠—”

“You have to go change, because there is a car waiting for you outside to take you away from here. To give you the break you deserve.”

And here he goes again. So much for all those apologies. He really does not understand the meaning of I have to clean my house. He must think that I have a whole cast of small woodland creatures to help shoulder the burden like I live in some cartoon fairy tale.

“No.” I stand firm—I am not going through this again. “I have to clean this place. I have to⁠—”

“You have to go get changed and get in the car.” His voice is stern, matching the look on his face. “Presley, how many times do I have to say it? I got you. Which means I’ve got this. Otis and I will take care of anything that needs doing, while you go have yourself a break.”

I start to object, but Jace holds up a hand, stopping me.

“I will pick you up and put you in that car myself if I have to.”

Well, now that’s a threat.

“Where are you sending me? And what about Otis?” I continue to object.

“Mama?” Otis calls, appearing out of nowhere, as if on cue. “Curious George?”

“Little Man, what do you say we have a guys’ day, while Mama goes and does her thing?” Jace asks, picking him up and resting him on his hip.

Otis lights up, all thoughts of the squeaky little monkey gone. “Yeah!”

“It’s unanimous then.” Jace smiles like a man who got his way, those brown eyes sparkling with delight. “The council has spoken, or whatever it is they say on that castaway show.”

“Survivor.” I spit out the answer reflexively. “And it’s the tribe has spoken.”

“Right. Well, your tribe has spoken. Go get changed.”

My tribe…Jace just called himself my tribe. He voted himself onto the island…

Swooning, I take his hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “At least give me some kind of hint? And what do you plan to do all day with⁠—”

“Pres.” Shifting, he readjusts Otis on his hip, giving me a mockingly stern look. “Do you trust me?”

“I—”

“Pres…do you trust me?”

I don’t even need to think. “Yes.”

“Then trust me. Go change. Wear something comfy. Little Man and I are gonna be just fine. Right, buddy?” Emphatically nodding, my son wiggles in Jace’s arms, doing his happy dance. If that’s not a telltale sign, I don’t know what is. “Tell Mama bye-bye and we’ll see her later.”

“Bye-bye, Mama!” Otis opens and closes his hand to wave goodbye, almost dismissing me.

Well then…I guess I’m off on a mystery adventure…

Water trickles in the background, melding into the soothing instrumental music softly lingering in the air. I’m all alone currently in this serene, plush waiting area that has clearly been designed for peak relaxation. It’s a job well done too.

Because after the facial, body scrub, and massage, this room is doing its best to lull me into a nap. It’s more than fair to say that I’m in a trance—hypnotized by pampering and tranquility—more than ready to slip away on a cloud. The only thing keeping me from doing so as I wait for the mani/pedi I still have left on my schedule is this book.

Not just any book—a romance novel. Gifted to me by a seriously sexy man, who told me it was one of his favorites. Complete with notes in the margins.

Seriously, if that wasn’t a move straight out of a novel or a made-for-TV movie…well, it should be. Tack on sending me off for a spa day, complete with treatments I never would have scheduled for myself, and this is more than enough to make me tumble ass over teakettle for the man.

Oh, and did I mention he’s babysitting? And cleaning the house. Well, at least I think he’s cleaning the house. I hope he is.