“What?” Her green eyes sparkled.
“Nothing.” He shook his head.
“Daddy’s favorite steak place is Frank’s Steakhouse.”
“Frank’s it is.” He stood up. “Guess I’ll get cleaned up and head that way.”
She sat up. “Jace.” She cleared her throat.
He nodded.
“Guess I should practice at this pretend thing a little?” She cleared her throat again. “I miss you.”
“Maybe I should come over.” He’d come up with a reason—other than needing to see her.
“No.” She shook her head. “You are not.”
He nodded. “Yep.”
“Jace, please.”
She’d said that to him this morning, too. Breathless, clinging. And just like that, his blood was pumping; memories of this morning—deep inside her—kicked in. “Hearing you say please does things to me.”
Her eyes fluttered shut. She rolled onto her side, propped her phone on the pillow beside her, and stared at him. “Good.” It was a whisper.
He shook his head, content to stay as they were.
“Heather texted.” She smiled. “I’m going to take that girl shopping.”
He groaned, thinking about the schedule Luke had for them. “Pretty sure I don’t have time for that. Besides, she has clothes.”
“I didn’t say you were invited.” She rolled her eyes. “You’d just slow us down.”
He laughed. “I see how it is.”
She grinned. “I gotta go.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow? At the mixer thing?”
“Maybe.” But that look set in, far-off and remote, like she was fighting something only she could see. “We’ll see.”
“I only called to talk to Clem, anyway. Since she was upset with me.” He smiled.
“Oh, really?” She held the phone out to Clem, who cocked her head at an angle. “Say goodbye, Clem.”
Clementine stood up, her tail wagging.
“Bye, Clementine. You take care of your mommy for me.” He waited, hoping she’d turn the phone around again.
“You tell Jace your mommy doesn’t need anyone to take care of her, Clementine.” And the phone went dark.
He hoped she’d show up at Frank’s. She didn’t.
He hoped she’d come over to his apartment. He didn’t sleep for shit.
He and Hank put in a solid three hours at the studio the next morning, but no Krystal.
Luke’s luncheon was a hit. He didn’t mind the sample of cologne and aftershave they gave him, and the dollars were impressive enough, but Luke asked for a few days to mull over their offer.