Page 74 of All Tied Down

Showing him the messages, he sighs, his shoulders slumping. “But why does Jace get to be there?” he laments. I don’t know Jace all that well, only that he’s part of their security team and at one point was Emerson’s fake date for a gala.

Plus Vegas.

But we’re not close.

“Because he wanted to go to girls’ night,” Tom grouses, “and I’m trying to be thankful at least someone is with them.” Pausing, he adds, “Well, inside at least. Ozzy is parked outside the place.”

I chuckle and shake my head, both amused and relieved it’s not just me on edge. Maybe we all needed this.

“Well, all right,” I say, holding up my beer. “To old friends, new friends, and the ones that still need a little more convincing.”

Chuckles go around and even a few smirks, but it feels a lot like the start of something to be thankful for.

29

EMERSON

By Tuesday, Jace’s nails still have the remnants of the polish Georgia and Poppy applied at the salon. They giggled and drank sparkling apple juice from plastic champagne flutes and otherwise just charmed the entire staff.

It was nice.

Fun.

And I had the weirdest flash of a future where I took my own daughter for manis, sitting in fluffy robes and indulging in a girls’ day.

I shook the thought away just as fast. I was caught up in the moment, and if I really wanted to have a girls’ day, I could just borrow Poppy and Georgia.

Or I could fly to Clementine Creek and go out with Isla and Nova. Hank’s genes didn’t even try with that one. She’s all her mother, and Hank is going to be in serious trouble when she’s older.

It’s going to be hilarious.

The boys, on the other hand, look exactly like Hank and they’ll break their fair share of hearts, I’m sure.

The thought has my mind drifting to Garrett with his dark hair, high cheekbones, and that panty-melting smirk I can’t get enough of.

What would a kid look like if we had one?

“Miss Andrews?” Des’s voice is like a bucket of cold water. There’s no chance that Garrett and I are having a kid—imaginary or not.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“What is it?” My voice is sharper than I intend, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he looks back down at the tablet in his hand.

He’s just doing his job.

Like I should be.

Softening my expression, I roll my shoulders back and wait.

“The acquisition in Tennessee has been approved,” he says, his eyes darting to me as I slap the polished wood.

“Yes!” Finally. The deal had been proposed to buy out a company with locations outside of Nashville—one we’d been working on for a while. I’d scouted the area myself, making sure it hit all the requirements for expanding the reach of Andrew International’s real estate holdings.

With the needs of our clients both here and abroad ever-changing, it’s crucial that we’re able to provide the experience they expect.

“We have a few months before we need to be out there but…”

“What? This is great news. We’ve worked tirelessly on this deal.”