Simone Brooks froze for a heartbeat. It was crazy that someone had recognized her voice so clearly from last night.

She glanced over at Houston Martinez, seated at the head of the table like he hadn’t heard a word. He just kept eating, casually taking a bite of roast like nothing had happened.

Phoenix Robinson paused a beat before chiming in, turning to Simone with a teasing grin. “Honey, that couldn’t have been you, right?”

Simone shot him a glare, lowering her voice. “Are you out of your damn mind?”

Phoenix just laughed, reaching over to ruffle her hair. “Just kidding. Lighten up, darling.”

Once upon a time, Simone might have melted at his touch, but now it just made her skin crawl.

“Phoenix.” Houston’s deep voice sliced through the chatter. He tossed a set of keys at Phoenix, his tone low. “Coffee’s out. Grab a couple more from my car. B2 level.”

“Sure, Uncle.” Phoenix stood, grabbing Simone’s hand. “Come with me, babe.”

Houston cut in, sharp. “It’s cold in the garage. Go by yourself.”

“Alright.” Phoenix released her, ruffling her hair again. “Wait here for me, yeah?”

As Phoenix left, Simone’s gaze landed on Houston, curiosity and confusion tangling inside her. She knew he’d purposely sent Phoenix away, but his motive was a mystery.

Houston pointedly ignored her stare, focusing on his friends and the whiskey. After three rounds, he rose. “I’ve got other things to handle. Enjoy.”

He grabbed his coat, draping it over his arm, and as he passed Simone, he gave her shoulder a tap. “You. With me.”

Relief washed over Simone. She nodded politely to the others and quickly fell into step behind him.

She figured Houston was saving her from an awkward solo sit and would take her to Phoenix. Instead, he steered her straight to B3.

“Um, aren’t we going the wrong way? Phoenix is on B2,” she ventured.

Houston stopped beside a black SUV tucked into a dim corner. He opened the back door and nudged her in.

“What are you—” Before she could protest, his mouth captured hers, his body pinning her in place, leaving no room to move. “What do you think?” he breathed against her lips.

Simone was stunned. She was undeniably drawn to Houston, but the idea of this—so brazen, with Phoenix so close—was terrifying. What if Phoenix came looking?

“Please, Uncle, don’t…” she whimpered between scattered kisses, desire warring with common sense. “Let me go. Phoenix could find us!”

The sensory overload, nerves, and fear had her strung tight, yet eager.

Houston’s hand found her throat, a light grip. “Call me ‘Uncle’ again and you’ll see what happens.”

Simone didn’t dare. She clamped her lips together, bracing herself.

Houston’s voice dropped, softer. “Relax. He won’t find us here.”

Only then did Simone’s jaw unclench, her tense whimpers melting into softer, muffled sounds.

Midway through the heated encounter, Simone’s phone shrilled. She stiffened. Houston’s frown was a dark shadow. “Answer it.”

After a beat of hesitation, Simone answered. Phoenix didn’t ask where she was. Instead, he apologized: a client had heard he was in Dublin and wanted to meet urgently. He’d make it up to her, he promised, and said she should head back to the hotel on her own.

Houston chose that moment to apply intentional pressure. Simone bit down on her lip, struggling to sound normal. “Okay.”

“Good girl. I’ll make it up to you tonight!”

She could only manage a soft, “Mm.”

Ending the call was a release. She was finally free to let go entirely.

Over the years, Simone Brooks had developed a sixth sense for every single one of Phoenix Robinson’s fibs—whether or not she'd actually bothered to call him out on them. She used to figure a guy as sharp as Phoenix wouldn't stoop to such lame lies. Her faith in him had always blown her faith in herself out of the water. But right now? She was dead sure Phoenix was playing her. Noor Miller had to be in Belfast, too. Noor clung to him like a second skin, and there was no way in hell she’d let him fly solo to see Simone.

Later tonight, it would totally track if Phoenix rolled up with Noor, claiming his “mom” was so freaked about him flying alone that she decided to tag along. He'd probably say he kept it quiet to spare Simone the grief.

God, how stupid could she be? Stressing that he wouldn’t come looking for her.

After they were done, Houston Martinez zipped his fly and climbed out of the car. He lit a cigarette, then turned back and cocked an eyebrow. “What do you want from me?”

Simone lay curled up, not moving, her eyes fixed on nothing. “I want to marry you.”

Houston paused, taking a couple long drags before a smirk tugged at his lips. “Isn’t this way more fun?”

His answer made it crystal clear he had zero intention of putting a label on this, casually shooting down the idea of her getting any kind of official status.

Simone was sharp enough to read between the lines. She knew he called the shots—she couldn’t force his hand. She stood, cleaned herself up with a few tissues, and served Houston a sugary smile. “That’s fine. As long as I can be with you, I’ll take whatever.”

Houston didn’t like her degrading herself just to get under his skin. He saw right through her game but chose not to bite. “Get out.”

“Sure thing,” Simone said, stepping out. She pulled her underwear on right in front of him, dusted off her skirt with over-the-top nonchalance, and added with a tiny smirk, “Didn’t you say it was no big deal? ‘Cause it kinda seemed like you were enjoying yourself a whole lot.”

She didn’t wait for a comeback. Wrapping her coat around herself, she walked off without a single backward glance. Houston watched her go, totally intrigued.

Simone didn’t head back to the hotel. She made her way to an old cathedral instead—and, go figure, ran smack into Noor Miller.

Noor stood under the fluttering prayer flags, nursing two cups of coffee like she was waiting for someone without a care in the world. When she spotted Simone, a flicker of surprise sparked in her eyes before it vanished just as fast.

With practiced warmth, she cooed, “I was just telling Phoenix he should’ve brought you along. He said you weren’t feeling well, so he popped inside to grab you a charm for good health.”

That gentle, friendly smile was locked onto her face.

This wasn’t Simone’s first run-in with Noor, but it was the first time she fully grasped how drop-dead gorgeous she was—classy, elegant, with this magnetic, mature allure. Her long, wavy hair framed delicate features, and her curves were the kind that could stop traffic, the whole package a man could ask for. You’d never in a million years guess she was pushing forty.

How the hell did anyone not fall under her spell?

“Simone?” Noor jiggled the coffee cup, yanking Simone back to reality. “Phoenix went inside to pray.”

Simone’s gaze dropped to the cup in Noor’s hand—pumpkin spice, her freaking favorite. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. “So, you’re a pumpkin spice fan now, too?”

Noor let out a soft laugh, tapping the two cups together. “Not usually my vibe, but Phoenix insisted I give it a shot since you’re so obsessed with it. He was right—it’s pretty damn good. You’ve got killer taste, Simone.”

Inside, Simone’s disgust was thick enough to cut, but her face stayed poker straight. “Oh, really?”

They’d never spent a ton of time together—just a few meals Simone had forced to happen. Noor always played the role of the overeager future mother-in-law, hyping up Simone’s status every chance she got.

Simone used to peg Noor as a chronic people-pleaser, maybe even scared of pissing off Simone’s family, given her own decent background. But now? She saw it for what it was—a slick little tactic to slip into the background, making Simone lower her guard.

Haisley Gutierrez once pointed out that Noor had next-level emotional intelligence. If she wanted her bond with Phoenix to stay bulletproof, keeping things exactly like this was the safest bet. As long as the daughter-in-law never kicked up a fuss, Noor could always stay glued to his side.

Still beaming, Noor held out the nearly full cup in her left hand to Simone. “This one’s for Phoenix. He only took one sip—you might as well finish it. By the time he comes back out, it’ll be cold, and we’d hate to waste it.”

Simone didn’t take it.

Noor’s hand hung in the air a moment before she pulled it back, her smile finally slipping a notch. “Are you upset with Phoenix because of me?”