“Oh, my goodness, no.” Her clap of laughter was completely out of character. “You don’t have to go anywhere. This is your house, and besides Dusty and I—” She giggled, waving her hand in front of her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m…” Then, she doubled over, and Brodie couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “Give me a second. I just…I’m only laughing, because I’m so embarrassed. I’ve never been caught making out before.” She fanned her face, now shiny with perspiration. “Oh, God. I feel like I’m fifteen, and my dad just came home. Not that you’re my dad. I just—” Another set of giggles had her reaching for the arm of the couch. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop. Dusty, I’m so sorry. I think our date’s over. Let me walk you out.”

Giving them time alone to say goodbye, Brodie tossed his bag against the wall by the hallway and went into the kitchen to grab a water. He could hear Rosie and her date murmuring.

Were they making plans for tomorrow night? He didn’t want her seeing Dusty again. He wanted her for himself. But he couldn’t have that. The only contract she wanted to sign was for their partnership.

He had to face it. This business might be the only one she ever gets to run—and if that means she doesn’t want to sleep with me, then…

Fuck. Then, he’d still spend time with her. Because he wanted to be with her more than he wanted to be with anyone else. So, if they could only be business partners—friends—he’d take it. He’d take whatever she wanted to give.

The door shut, and a moment later she came into the kitchen, the blouse still askew from the way he’d buttoned it. “I am so sorry you came home to that.”

“Not your fault. I told you I’d be gone.” He poured himself some water. “Should’ve texted you.” Before flying like a bat out of hell to get home to you. “Looked like the date was going well.”

“Actually, I was about two minutes from ending it. It, uh, escalated pretty quickly.”

His glass froze in front of his chin. “What’s that mean?” He took in her messy hair, the red lips.