Grip Trilogy Box Set

“Then we’re both sorry.” Will returns my smile, straightens his tie, and nods to Sarah as she walks up. “I need to check on something for Qwest. See you in a little bit.”

Once he’s gone, I gesture for Sarah to join me at a nearby table to go over a few details before the doors open.

“You’re feeling better today?” I ask.

“So much better.” Sarah grins, looking more like the perky girl I’m used to seeing. “I went to bed as soon as I got home and woke up a new woman. Thanks for taking the bag to Grip.”

“No problem.” I ruthlessly suppress the images and sensations that assault me when I remember being on that rooftop with Grip, and focus on the task at hand. “Did you, by chance, upgrade Qwest to the Presidential Suite at the Park?”

I sip my water. As badly as I need a drink, I’ve been trying to cut back. I’m known for holding my liquor, but that doesn’t mean I should. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up drinking vodka for breakfast like my mother.

“No.” Sarah frowns and pulls out her phone, scrolling through emails. “The reservation is for a luxury suite, not the Presidential.”

She whistles and lays her phone on the table. “Somebody messed up. Costly mistake.”

“Hmmmm. Maybe.” I have my suspicions about other scenarios, but don’t voice them. I just open a few emails that might need my attention. “Did we hear back from Meryl about Grip’s date with Qwest?”

Sarah clears her throat in a way that catches my attention. I glance up from my phone and wait.

“I haven’t heard back yet,” Sarah says. “But does Grip know about this um . . . date?”

“I think Qwest wants it to be a surprise of sorts.” I keep my face impassive.

“She’s wasting her time,” Sarah singsongs the words, a small smile on her matte pink lips. “Grip only has eyes for one woman.”

Sarah is more observant than I gave her credit for. I stand and smooth my hair.

“I don’t think all the girls Grip sleeps with really care where his eyes are,” I say, keeping my tone neutral. “There are other parts of his anatomy they’re much more interested in.”

“If that one woman he has eyes for would give him a sign, I’m sure he’d keep his anatomy where it should be.”

“Well his anatomy has to be onstage in about an hour,” I tell her. “So, I’m going to make sure it is.”

Did I say I liked being friendly with Sarah? Retract that statement. I don’t need her that close or seeing that much. She better be glad she’s so efficient.

And that I like her so much.

I prepare a mug of lemon tea in the kitchen for Grip. He’s been performing so much his voice must be tired. I’m walking down the hall to the dressing room, and the door is ajar. My brother’s voice reaches me through the small open space.

“Call me whipped if you want.” Laughter threads Rhyson’s deep voice. “You’re just jealous, Marlon.”

Softer, feminine laughter joins Rhyson’s.

“Rhys, don’t tease him,” my sister-in-law Kai chides.

“He knows it’s true,” Rhyson insists. “You want the wife and kid now that I made it look so good, right? I see it in your eyes. You’re ready to settle down. You’re tired of sowing all those wild oats.”

“I haven’t been sowing anything.” Grip’s voice when it comes has a little gravel in it. “I always wrap it up.”

I clench my fist at my stomach. I know he sleeps with women. If I hadn’t known, he made it abundantly clear last night.

“I don’t mean literally sow,” Rhyson says. “You already had one baby daddy close call.”

“Not funny,” Grip answers. “Too soon.”

“How can it be too soon?” Rhyson demands with a laugh. “Tessa was eight years ago.”

“Considering what she tried to pull on me,” Grip answers. “It will always be too soon.”