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“Ok, shoot.” I wait for whatever it is Clementine needs to say to me, but she doesn’t say a word. “Change your mind?” I ask as I flip over the steaks on the grill, making sure not to press the spatula down on the meat so it doesn’t lose its juices.
“Maybe later. Tell me about your grandmother.”
I want her to open up to me, but grant her wish as I tell her about my grandmother. “Her name was Rose Marie, and she was a nurse. She loved to bake, just like you. I barely remember her, she died when I was very young.”
She takes a drink of wine, and I continue, “She loved planting roses. She had those rose bushes put in.” I point to the rose bushes lining the garden back gate. “She and my mother would take care of them together.”
Clementine cups her chin in her hand, leaning her elbow on the countertop. “I love roses too. It’s something about their bloom, so big and bright. It lights up a room.”
I stare at her, wondering if she realizes it’s her that lights up any room. “Yeah, I guess.” Our conversation falls into a comfortable lull as I finish cooking. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“Starved.” She peers over her shoulder, back to the roses. “Would it be ok if I tended to the roses sometimes?”
“Seriously?”
She smiles. “Yes, I’d love to.”
“I’ll make sure the groundskeeper knows you’ll be out there.” I turn off the heat and plate the meal. “Ready to eat?”
She nods. “Looks delicious.”
I can’t stop staring at her lips. And I don’t know how I’ll be able to handle a whole meal with this woman sitting across from me. Every time I’ve seen her eat it’s like watching porn. She makes me hard with just a soft moan from her lips.
We move over to the patio table. “Bon appetit,” I tell her.
“Can I ask you something?” she says, taking a seat.
“Sure.”
“You’ll keep me and Tennyson safe, won’t you?”
I stare into her worried eyes. “Of course, I will.”
The tension in her shoulders eases and she relaxes a bit. “Thank you.” She takes a bite. “Mmm, this is delicious.”
I could say the same thing about her lips. And I want to find out if the rest of her tastes just as sweet.
Chapter 25
Clementine
“I’m so happy to be away from work,” Erin says, rifling through a rack of expensive bridesmaids dresses. “Oh, I like this.” She holds up a long pink dress.
I park a hand on my hip. “Really? I’d never peg you for a pink dress kinda girl.”
I’ve lost her. She doesn’t answer me, and her eyes lock on something by the entrance of the store.
I follow her gaze and spot Jordan walking in, holding a clear bag with a peach dress inside.
“Oh no, why’s he here?” she whispers, still holding onto the pink dress like she can’t believe her very own eyes.
“I’m sure it’s some wedding detail.”
Jordan gives a half-smile when he sees us, and makes his way through the store to us. “Hey, ladies,” he says.
Erin must pick up on some body cue, and immediately asks him, “What’s wrong?”
“The wedding is off.” He rubs his hand across the five-o’clock shadow that’s more of a past midnight beard. “It’s a mess.”
