I swallow hard, unprepared for the sincerity in his voice. "We're not doing this. The flirting thing. It's unnecessary."
"Who says I'm flirting?" He looks genuinely puzzled. "I'm stating a fact."
Our server appears then—a young woman with a sleek blonde ponytail who introduces herself as Mia. "Good evening, can I start you both with something to drink?"
"I'll have a glass of the cabernet," I say, not even bothering to look at the wine list. "The driest one you have please."
Sebastian raises an eyebrow, "and I'll take a Macallan, neat."
"Excellent choices," she says while flashing us a smile. "I'll be right back with those.”
When she leaves, I fiddle with my napkin.
Unfolding it, I drape it across my lap. "Scotch, huh?"
"Yeah, it's my preferred drink." He leans back slightly, studying me. "Kind of like how you ordered wine without even looking at the options. You already knew what you wanted. Something strong to take the edge off this conversation, because you're nervous."
"I'm not nervous," I lie.
"Mhm." He nods.
Damn him. I reach for my menu to hide my face, but the wall of appetizer options blurs before my eyes. This is ridiculous. We've already had sex, for fuck's sake. Why am I acting like a teenager on a first date?
Hold on.
This isn't a date, I remind myself. This is planning for an elaborate deception.
Our drinks arrive, and I take a large sip.
Sebastian watches me over the rim of his glass. "You look beautiful tonight, Charlotte."
Heat instantly creeps up my neck. The black wrap dress isn't particularly revealing, but it clings in all the places it’s supposed to. "Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself."
"High praise coming from you."
"Don't get used to it."
He grins, and I realize he's enjoying this. My discomfort, my defensive posture. I take another sip of wine.
"Should we order an appetizer?" I ask, desperate to steer us toward neutral territory.
"Sure. The burrata sounds good."
"Fine."
When Mia returns, we order the burrata and our entrees—steak for him, truffle butter chicken alfredo for me.
Because carbs.
As soon as she leaves, I pull a small notebook and pen from my purse.
"Alright, let's get down to business. My family is under the impression that we've been dating for at least four months, which means we got together in late August."
Sebastian leans forward, elbows on the table. "How did we meet?"
"Work, obviously. But we can say there was an immediate attraction when you joined the company."
"Well, that part's true enough." His voice drops an octave.
