Shannon’s Reviews > Bourbon & Secrets > Status Update

“I realized what it was about you that made you so fucking perfect for me.” I brush her hair from her face as she looks up at me. “You show up for your family and the people you care about, and that’s always been what love looks like to me. You are what love looks like to me.”

“Tell me she’s coming back, Griz,” I say quietly to him. “She wouldn’t just leave.” Instead of answering me, he says, “If she’s fallen for you the way I think she has . . .” Griz gives me a smile. “Then she’ll come back and be a part of this family,” he says assuredly. “My granddaughters think she’s their soulmate—women, let alone Foxx women, are never wrong.”

I’m not interested in waiting, the same way I’m not interested in seeing when the FBI is going to make a move. Cortez says, “Faye, I’m serious. I do not want you involved in this.” Filled with resolve, I smile and turn to look over my shoulder. “Involved in what?” I say, feigning an innocence. There’s no way in hell I’m going to sit back and wait for Cortez to fix this or for something to happen…

“You smile and these”—she circles her finger around the dip of my dimple—“they’re your secret weapon, because they make you seem cute.” “I am cute.” She ignores my remark… I turn my head and grab her finger with my teeth, which makes her giggle. “See? dangerous.” I close my eyes as she runs her fingers along my hairline, and it feels so good that all I can think about is: I want more of this.

“Good morning,” Lincoln says… “Hi,” I whisper, eyes wide as I gesture to his girls. “Should I crawl out the window or something?” He holds out his hand and then leans in to grab mine. “Come on. I can’t keep this a secret from them.” And just hearing it makes me realize that I’m completely in over my head with a man like this. But instead of holding back and pushing him away, I hold on to him.

Hadley follows my line of sight. “I knew it.” “Knew what?” I ask her, trying to play off that she hasn’t figured it out by now. That I’m a fucking goner for a woman who’s a walking red flag. “You and Faye. I thought maybe she was just new and shiny. And well, you’re slut-eriffic. So . . .” she laughs out as I pinch the skin under her arm. “Ow, you dick!” “Hadley, that’s five bucks,”

“Good. I don’t want you to change.” He pulls me closer and kisses the top of my head. “I just wanted some clarity so I didn’t end up killing a man for touching someone who’s starting to feel like mine.” My eyes widen as my heart stutters. “Yours?” He looks down his chest at me and lets out a lazy smile.

I swallow and nod as his fingers skate up my arm, along my shoulder, and across my collarbone. My skin crawls everywhere he touches, and I’m mentally preparing myself to either kiss or punch this man if it comes down to it.

“I hate you a little.” I can’t help but hold back my smile because, as she’s saying that, she rolls her hips the slightest bit. “I hate you a little too, Peach.”

“Check her right hand, Lily.” Lily looks at me, confused, and then focuses on my right hand. When I lift my fingers, I roll the clunky gray rock over to its side with the sharp purple crystals. She looks up at me with a smile. “You have it with you.” “I’ve needed a little extra courage lately. I keep it in one of my pockets.”