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“Last time I checked, I wasn’t a PI. You need to stop expecting me to help you out all the time.”
“But you’re so good at it.”
She rolled her eyes, knowing that didn’t need a response. Sweet talking her wasn’t going to change the outcome. She was watching Amelie.
“This is the cutest outfit ever. Yes, you’re the cutest ever. Uncle Oliver knows how to pick the best things for his sweet angel.”
She wanted to snort. To think her brothers had tried to talk her out of spending time with Amelie. That being so close to her—especially Corey—would end up with her getting hurt. They spoiled Amelie more than she did half the time. Amelie was currently wearing a onesie with a cute leprechaun on it saying ‘good luck charm.’
Corey knew her brothers came around, although they were never around when Corey was. It was for the best. For some reason, they didn’t like Corey. They judged him for his past, which upset her. So while they came for Amelie, they never talked about Corey.
Oliver left, pouting she couldn’t help him but determined to get his guy. He always did. The night went by fast, as it usually did. Amelie was in bed by nine and she was curled up in her bed with a book, falling asleep after twelve.
She didn’t expect a knock on her door at eight-thirty the next morning. Corey would be heading to his shift, even though he’d worked a double the night before. He was a work-oholic, not that she’d ever say that to him. She enjoyed her time with Amelie, and if she said something, he’d cut back and she wouldn’t see her as much.
“I thought you worked today.” She let Corey in, surprised to see him.
He looked good. Not as tired as she expected him to be, working until closing time. He immediately went to Amelie in the living room and picked her up, kissing her cheek.
“I wanted to see my girls.” His eyes popped to her, surprise lingering in the depths.
Neither said a word to his comment. It had to have been a slip of the tongue. He meant girl. As in Amelie. Not girls. As in both of them.
“We had a good night. That silly girl can splash like a whale. I swear there was water all over my bathroom walls.” She chuckled, grabbing her cup of tea from the counter. She needed something to occupy her hands with.
“I can’t wait to take her to the beach. I bet she’ll love it.” He walked closer to her with Amelie on his hip. “So about tonight?”
“Yeah?” She blew on her tea, having an inkling what he was going to ask.
“It’s poker night. I don’t have to go.”
“And miss hanging out with your friends? No, you’re going.”
Corey looked at her for a moment, his eyes searching for something, although she wasn’t sure what. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She laughed, hoping to dispel the sudden sexual tension in the air. “You’d survive no doubt. I don’t do much.”
He reached out, surprising both of them, caressing her cheek. “No, I’d be lost without you.”
Then he turned around and set Amelie back in the spot he picked her up from. “I should get going. Thanks again.”
She nodded, letting out a huge sigh when her apartment door shut and the man she was starting to fall in love with walked out.
Hell. Starting to? What a lie.
She had fallen in love with him.
It wasn’t hard at all, especially when he said things like that to her.
* * *
Damn it.He was going to be leaving with nothing in his pockets again. Why did he always lose at poker when he played with his friends?
“You’ve been quiet all night.” Dwayne shuffled the cards and then dealt them each five.
“Yesterday was a long-ass day, and today was, too. I’m tired. Not to mention, you’re taking all my money.”
Dwayne and the other guys laughed.
