I know.
If I could’ve kept this from them, I would have.I know exactly how ridiculous this entire thing sounds.Is.Since meeting Emily, my life seems to have tipped on its axis.
“We’re going to meet her tomorrow night.Is that what this is about?”Colt takes another sip.
That’s exactly what this is.I can’t have them meet her tomorrow night for the first time and act surprised.It is well publicized that we are friends.
I need to make sure the sheikh is not spooked.
Especially after the news I got just before leaving the office.
The zoning permits were denied.That has never happened before.Not in dozens of developments.We will need to update our funders in the next report.The one going out this Friday.
“Ring the DOB,” I told Brandon, referring to the Department of Building.“Find out what’s going on.This is bullshit.”
He scratched the back of his head.“It is.I’ll get in touch with our contact.”
Something has been nagging at me for weeks, but it’s time I started paying attention.
“Yes, you will see Emily tomorrow night, and I need you all to pretend that seeing us in love is normal and not amusing...like now.Wipe your goddamn smiles off your faces.”
They try.Fail.And burst out laughing.
“Jesus,” I mutter.
I glance across the bar to a table where Emily sits.She’s waiting for me to call her over, but I need these five-year-olds to get their shit together.I don’t want her to be embarrassed.
It's a good thing Zander and Drew aren’t here.
“Just follow our lead.Can you do that?”I rub my forehead.
“Why is she going along with this?Is she in love with you?”Colt asks.
“No.Fuck,” I reply too quickly, and because I don’t want to discuss my feelings for her, I wave out to Emily.
They both spin around as Emily climbs out of her chair and walks toward us.
“Jesus fuck,” Colt mutters into his drink after turning back.“She’s hot as hell.”
I growl low in my throat.“Hands off.”
His brows shoot up as he finishes his drink and then glances down at Emily, who steps right up beside me.My arm lifts and drapes around her without thinking.
“Wow.”Mason stares at Emily and then at me.
Shit.
We aren’t pretending right now, so there is no reason to do that.I straighten and wipe my hand over my jaw while Emily takes a half step away.
“Hi,” she says in her sexy accent.
“Colt Winters.”He shakes her hand.
“Mason Kingsley.”He waves from Colt’s other side.“Congratulations on your...engagement.”
“Fuck me.”Colt takes her hand and stares at her engagement ring.His eyes snap to mine, then glide slowly to Josh, who is standing a few feet away with his arms crossed.“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
“Is that the Hope...no, the Oppenheimer diamond?”Mason and Colt share another look.
