CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Claire's POV

I was elbow-deep in fabric swatches and paint chips when my phone buzzed for the umpteenth time that morning. Biting back a giddy grin, I glanced at the screen, already knowing who it would be.

Lucas. Of course.

"Hey there, handsome," I answered, cradling the phone between my ear and shoulder as I continued to rifle through samples. "Miss me already?"

His warm chuckle sent shivers down my spine. "Always. Just wanted to make sure you weren't working too hard. I know how you get when you're in the zone."

I snorted, even as my heart fluttered at his thoughtfulness. "Lucas, it's barely been three hours since you dropped me off. I think I can manage a morning without you."

"Are you sure about that? Because I seem to recall a certain someone clinging pretty tightly to me in the car earlier..."

I could hear the smirk in his voice. Laughing, I abandoned my swatches and leaned back in my chair, already picturing his face. "Can you blame me? I'm marrying the most gorgeous, attentiv