Maybe I imagined the connection between us, and for her, and this was only ever a friends-with-benefits kind of deal.

Except we weren’t even friends to start with, so more like business associates with benefits.

Right. The business arrangement. The one that specifically said, no feelings.

I groan.

Yeah, this is why I don’t do relationships: So I don’t end up arguing with myself like an idiot. Seriously, I’m like a step away from taking one of those online quizzes to see if Callie’s just not that into me.

Maybe there was just something in the water in Palm Beach, I decide, toweling off. Or Zelda was slipping it into my morning coffee. Anything to explain why I’ve gone from zero to a hundred on this woman in just a few days flat. From thinking she’s an argumentative loudmouth, to wishing she was here so I could kiss that mouth…

And other places.

I shake my head. Callie never said a word about wanting this to last beyond our trip, and the last thing I want to do is make her feel awkward—or set myself up for a killer rejection. I need to take a hint.

Time to get my head back in the fucking game.

So, that’s exactly what I do. I catch up on email, make some calls to check in with my investments, and break the good news to my financial advisor, Sarah, that the trust is back on track—and soon to be landing back in my accounts.

“Nice work,” she says. “I should have known you’d come through.”

“Well, I had some help from a friend,” I admit, and then get caught in a flashback of how much more Callie and I were than friends.

The taste of her mouth. The feel of her body pinned underneath me. The way she moans right before she comes...

Down boy.

Fuck. Staying busy is supposed to distract me from Callie, but by the end of the day, the urge to see her is just as strong as ever. I head to Mavericks, hoping a couple of drinks and the guys will keep her off my mind.

“Here he is, conquering hero,” Austin gives me shit the minute I join him and Charlie at our usual booth. “At least, I’m assuming you straightened everything out?”

I nod, collapsing in my seat. The server brings him a beer, so I steal it and order another round. Plus shots.

Charlie laughs. “So, we’re celebrating?”

It doesn’t feel that way, but I nod. “Damn right we are.” I look around, restless. “What did I miss?”

He shrugs. “Nothing. Same old, same old. You were only gone a few days,” he points out, and I blink.

Has it really been so short? Everything I shared with Callie, it feels like we’ve spent the month together, not barely a week.

“Right, of course.” I shake my head —and then down my first shot.

Austin watches me, looking curious. “You OK?” he asks.

“Fine,” I insist. “Great.”