Chapter 40

“Yep.”

“You don’t seem too concerned.”

“I’m not going off with him. And if he tries to shove his tongue down my throat during the scene at the end when we kiss…” Val grinned. “He’s going to learn why I got the big bucks.”

“Spike’s a fantastic kisser. And if worst comes to worst…” Paul seemed very relaxed about the whole thing now, and I realized why when he continued, “We’ll call Vince and have him come deal with Cartwright.” He grinned at me. “It’s good to have a friend like Vince.”

It was even better to have him as a lover. “Paul, would you mind if I asked you something?”

“Not at all.”

“Mark told me you helped him back in 1993.”

“Yeah. I… I know he’s your boyfriend and all, so forgive me for saying this, but I’d been crushing on him something fierce from the time he moved into the attic apartment.”

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

“Thanks. I knew there could never be anything between us, and I felt bad about that.”