My cell vibrated on the table. "Sorry girls. It might be work.” I didn't recognize the number, but I always answered in case it was a client. "Hello?"
"Hello, Grace. This is—"
I'd know that voice anywhere. "Jax!” I stumbled to my feet and walked to the edge of the room. “How'd you get my number?" How was it that even knowing what an ass he was, his voice still managed to rattle me?
He chuckled. "I'm pleased you recognized my voice. As for your number, it wasn't hard. It was part of your appointment with my secretary."
Angie and Faith had sat up straight and were clearly trying to hear the conversation. Laurel’s face was right up against the computer as if she could peer around its side to see more of the room.
“Oh, of course.” I turned my back on my sisters. I cleared my throat and tried for my best professional tone. "What can I do for you, Mr. Carter? Actually, if you don't mind holding, I have company. I need to move to another room. It’s just my sisters so they’ll wait. Or I can call you back if you—"
"Grace."
"Yes?"
"I can wait."
I was glad he couldn't see how red my face turned. "Thanks. Hold on just a second, please." I tapped the button to mute the conversation. I whirled to face my sisters, covering my mouth. I began pacing the room as I exclaimed, "Holy crap! It's him! The hot ass from the wedding!"
"I'll concede on the ass observation. But I'll keep in mind that you think I'm hot."
Oh, no. I held the phone away and stared at it as if it had suddenly come alive.
"Grace?" I heard his voice come through the receiver loud and clear.
"Um, I hit the speaker button, didn't I?"
Both of my guests fell to the floor, rolling in hysterics. I couldn’t see Laurel anymore, but I assumed she was following suit. I quickly turned the speaker off and held the phone to my ear.
"That's a safe assumption," he answered wryly. "But I'm very intrigued to learn that you were talking about me."
I groaned to myself. "I wouldn't read too much into that if I were you. I was telling them—"
"What an ass I am. Yes, I heard.”
I was pretty sure my apartment could be freezing cold and the heat from my face would keep it warm
My siblings were all sitting upright now.
“What’s going on?”
“What’s he saying?”
I waved
my hand like a crazy woman, trying to shush them.
"Right. I hope you aren't expecting an apology, because after what you—"
"Grace?"
"What?" I snapped.
“I happen to agree. I was an ass. I’m sorry.”
I stood and walked to the table and topped off my wine. I was already a glass ahead of my usual evening quota, so what was one more? I walked through my kitchen and stepped out the double doors to a patio, so my sisters wouldn’t witness first hand any more of my humiliation. Hopefully, my face would cool down, too. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. "That’s very big of you, Mr. Carter.”
There was a short pause.