“It’s Friday night. I didn’t want to interrupt you.”
“You’re never an interruption. You know this. But I sense something’s going on. You okay?”
“No!” She throws her hands in the air and sinks back. “Gail called me today. She gave me our schedule for next weekend.”
“Okay.” I try to hide my amusement because I knew to expect this.
“I think she has me set up as your date for the whole weekend.”
“She should, being as I told her to include you in everything.”
“I thought I was tagging along.”
“You are never a tag along. I want to give you a mini-vacation.”
“But this is your business.”
“You have to eat, too. Surely, a few dinners won’t cramp your style.”
She narrows her eyes and gives me a dirty look. “You’re being smug. I know I have to eat, but I’ll be a nervous wreck with your clients.”
“You’re best friends with a top quarterback in the NFL. You’ve been around professional athletes for years, most of them eating out of your hands within a few minutes of knowing you. What’s the problem?”
“I’m not sure this is a good idea. I feel like a fifth wheel, honestly.”
Shit, she’s going to try to back out.
“Sweetheart, forget the dinners. You want to stay in and get room service, do it. I won’t be offended. Come with me. Get away for a few days. I’ve got a two-bedroom suite. You don’t even have to hang out with me.”
I say the words and taste the acid in my mouth. There’s nothing I want more than to be away with her for four days.
“I love hanging out with you. I just feel weird about this.”
Finally, I realize I can’t push anymore. She has to make the decision.
“It’s up to you, babe. If you want to back out, I’ll understand.”
Fuck, don’t let her back out.
She purses her lips and stays quiet. Then she inhales deeply and flings her head back, focusing on the ceiling. “You’re amazing, you know that? What time do we leave next Thursday?”
My heart beats double time, and I fight the impulse to raise my arms in victory.
“I’ll have a car pick you up around five.”
She grabs her phone and keys and comes to me, throwing her arms around my waist and her head against my chest. “Thank you, Shaw. I’m excited.
”
“Me too,” I agree, even though excited is an understatement. The next six days can’t pass quickly enough.
“I have to go. I’m working all weekend. We have a nurse out sick.”
“Mathis on this weekend?”
“Sunday night. We’re going to try to grab dinner.”
Jealousy spikes in my blood. What the hell is wrong with me? She and my brother eat together all the time.