Page 32 of Business Casual
“They meet on Thursdays,” Layla explains. “Thursday is deep-dish pizza night at Matty’s. Caleb doesn’t like to miss it.”
That makes sense. The man loves his deep-dish pepperoni.
I look at Beckett. “And you?”
He arches a single eyebrow. Ah. Of course. Beckett doesn’t like talking to most people. I can imagine a town committee meeting might push him right over the edge.
“Does this mean…” Hope flares. “Can I be on the committee? Can I take Stella’s spot?”
Layla blinks at me. “You want to be on the committee?”
“Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”
Fuck, I’ve been trying to get on an Inglewild town committee for years. The drama is always excellent, and I’m tired of hearing about it from the phone tree.
My phone blinks with a message on the desk. I pick it up, expecting a schedule update from Selene along with a string of colorful commentary about fielding calls from my father. But I almost fumble the damn thing when I see Nova’s name. I glance up at Beckett, but the tray of zucchini bread in his lap has his full attention. And Layla’s occupied with her phone, probably texting Caleb something pornographic about croissants.
It’s a good thing too, because I almost fall out of my chair when I see what Nova’s sent.
A picture of her in front of a long mirror, one hand on her phone and the other on the buttons of her shirt. She’s clearly undone a few for the sake of the photo, the rose between her breasts on full display. One shiny black fingernail traces the stem of it.
NOVA:You gave me a new wallpaper. It seemed fair that I send you one back.
I immediately save the picture to my phone. And then glance at Beckett again.
He’s talking to Layla about adding more chocolate chips to the zucchini bread, not concerning himself with the wheezing sound that probably just left my mouth.
Thank god.
CHARLIE:Have we unlocked sexy texting? Is this a thing we do now?
NOVA:You started it.
Didn’t realize that the picture I set as her wallpaper did it for her, but good to know.
CHARLIE:I’m enjoying this development.
NOVA:I bet you are.
CHARLIE:Anything you want to ask me? While we’re both here?
NOVA:Yeah.
I watch the three dots on my phone with laserlike focus.
NOVA:Did you see Ms. Beatrice is doing brown sugar lattes?
I hide my smile in my fist, knuckles rubbing roughly against my jaw. Nova Porter is atease.
CHARLIE:Cruel woman.
CHARLIE:And no, I didn’t. Appreciate the info.
NOVA:
“Everything okay?” Beckett asks.
I keep my head ducked. I’m grinning like an idiot. “All good.”
