Entice Me (Austin Singles 2)

By the time we had everything unpacked and set up how Morgan wanted it, I was starving. My stomach growled and Morgan and I let out a laugh at how loud it was.

“We should probably take a break and get something to eat,” Morgan said, wrapping an arm around mine.

“I will agree with you on that. I’m so hungry.”

Pulling her phone out of her pocket, Morgan glanced at the screen and frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s from Karen, the new office manager at Barrett Construction. I texted her earlier to ask if she had any questions or concerns and she said no. Just getting this poor girl hired was a task. My father wanted one person; Nash wanted Karen. It was a fight for Nash.”

With a chuckle, I replied, “That’s a good thing . . . right? Getting someone hired?”

She shrugged. “I guess. I mean, I knew by looking at her resume she was the perfect fit, and Nash had to fight tooth and nail with my father to hire her. I’ve spent the last two weeks training her, so I know she can do the job. Of course, all the guys voted for her.”

“Why?”

Morgan rolled her eyes and replied, “She’s adorable with a body to die for.”

I smiled. “Well, I guess as long as she gets the job done, that’s all that matters.”

Wiping her brow, Morgan nodded. “Yeah. She said she was going to dinner with Nash. That’s strange. He never mixes business and pleasure. I need to give him a call really quick.”

With a forced smile, I started for the door that led outside. Morgan trailed me. Pulling up my own phone, I read the text messages I had gotten from Nash a week and a half ago where he has asked me out again.

Nash: Hey, Kaelynn, are you free to grab coffee or maybe dinner?

I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the ache in my chest before I looked at my reply.

Me: I’m sorry, I’m super busy with work.

After Nash’s comments in his truck about Lily and not wanting to go down that road again, I knew I had to distance myself from him. I’d felt the heat between us that day, saw the look in his eyes that said he wanted me as much as I wanted him. I couldn’t do it. For one, there was no way I could lie to Nash. I’d been withholding the truth, and that was bad enough. If he kept asking questions about my family, I was either going to tell him the truth, which would push him away, or lie. The second was not an option. Ever.

Nash had neither replied to my text, nor had he texted me again.

&nbs

p; “Oh my gawd! What? Now! How exciting!”

Turning, I saw Morgan smiling as she did a little jump. Then she said, “Charlie is in labor. Everyone is at the hospital now.”

“Finally!” I said with a chuckle.

“It’s Kaelynn. She’s been helping me move the last of my stuff in and get things in order. No, it’s okay, Nash. I know how busy things have been, so please don’t stress about it. You and Tucker helped me move in all the big stuff the other day; all the little stuff I’ve got with Kaelynn’s help.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if my name did anything to Nash. Did he care I was with Morgan? Had he thought about me at all since his last text? I wouldn’t blame him if he hadn’t. The way I had just blown him off, leaving no room for discussion about dinner or coffee. Still, I longed to see him, hear his voice, and know if he was thinking about me as much as I had been thinking about him.

Turning away from Morgan, I silently scolded myself. For crying out loud, Kaelynn. You’re not a love-struck teenager. You’re a grown woman who made a decision . . . now stick to it.

“Let me know when she has the baby. Oh, I’m sure Kaelynn would love to. She has a bit of a girl crush on Charlie.”

My mouth fell open, and I glared at Morgan, who laughed.

“Hey, Nash, why were you going out to dinner with Karen?”

I’d have given anything to hear his answer.

“Okay, well, you’re keeping it business, right? Oh . . . you do, do you?”