Knox: Guilty as charged. Did you like it?
Charlie: I loved it.
Knox: Glad to hear it. Since you’re a romance aficionado, your opinion counts for a lot.
Charlie gulped down a steadying breath. Talking to Knox like this—with a level of intimacy she wasn’t used to—had her heart thrumming wildly. In her mind’s eye, she could visualize him sitting up in bed and readingLove’s Enduring Bounty, maybe chuckling over the book’s flowery language. What would he think when he got to chapter eight? Or—Lord, have mercy—when he reached chapter twenty?
But now she wanted to know what he was wearing. Pajamas? A T-shirt and boxers? Or did he sleep in the buff?
She was tempted to ask him, but that seemed too much likeactualsexting. Better to douse this fire now than let it get out of control.
Charlie: I’d better get to sleep. I have to go in early tomorrow. Good night.
Knox: Good night. Sweet dreams.
Oh, they’d be sweet all right. Sweetandspicy.
Fourteen
Knox didn’t mindthat it was Friday. Or that happy hour would be mobbed since the hotel was full of insurance agents in town for a convention. He didn’t even care that Preston had left another of his try-hard notes:
Hey, Knox. Loving those fall cocktails! Your pumpkin spice white Russian is the bomb! I’m thinking we should start pivoting into spooky season soon. Halloween’s only 5 weeks away! Let’s make this the most spook-tacular October ever!
For the record, the pumpkin spice drink was disgusting. Knox had only added it to the menu after multiple reminders.
Still, he could get down with creating a few ghost-themed cocktails. Two days ago, Logan had told himCanada’s Most Hauntedwould be filming at the Duchess on Halloween night, which was a huge win. Upon hearing the news, Laurel and her marketing team started using it in their publicity. As a result, the hotel was sold out for the entire week of Halloween.
But the show wasn’t the only thing causing Knox’s uncommonly good mood. Ever since his lunch with Charlie on Tuesday, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Texting her that night had been a risk, but she’d clearly been into it. Then, on Wednesday and Thursday, she’d stopped by the Lily and flirted with him so brazenly that he knew she wanted more than just friendship. He could hardly wait until their do-over date on Sunday.
“Earth to Knox. Are you listening to me?” Selena stood on the other side of the bar, clipboard in hand. “I need to finish this order. Do you want me to get more of the Whistlestop cider or not? Last week, you told me hardly anyone orders it, and the rep was a pain to work with.”
“Whatever you want.” He was still trying to decide where to take Charlie for dinner since he hadn’t been able to secure another reservation at Il Terrazzo.
Selena smacked her clipboard on the bar top. “What’s going on? You’re never this agreeable.”
He shrugged. “Maybe I’ve turned over a new leaf.”
“Bullshit.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “It’s Charlie, isn’t it? Don’t think I didn’t notice. When I came into the conference room this morning, she was singing. Like a goddamn Disney princess. You’re fucking, aren’t you?”
That brought him back down to earth. “Jesus, Selena. There are customers here. Not to mention, Charlie and I haven’t even been on a real date yet.”
“I just don’t want her to get hurt.” A glimpse of pain flickered in her eyes. “You know how trusting she is.”
“And you’re not?”
“Hell, no. I’ve been screwed over too many times.” She fussed with a lock of hair, tucking it back into her bun. “Just…don’t be one of those guys.”
“I won’t. I promise.” Even if Selena was butting into his personal life, he appreciated her looking out for Charlie. “I also promise to give you my full attention.”
She arched her eyebrows. “Really? You seem pretty far gone.”
He was about to deny it, but Charlie chose that moment to sail into the Gilded Lily for her daily visit. The sight of her brought back his sappy grin. “Hey, Charlie.”
“Hi, Knox.” She set a small Tupperware container on the bar top. “I saved you a treat from our Damsels’ meeting. Rosie brought caramel brownies, and they’resodecadent.”
He leaned over and squeezed her hand. “Thanks. I’ll have it on my break.”
“I had to fight Laurel for the last one, but I told her you needed it because you’re going to be slammed tonight.” Charlie flashed Selena an apologetic smile. “Sorry to interrupt. If you two are busy, I can come back later.”
