David laughed silently, even as I narrowed my eyes on him.
“You’re a little persistent, aren’t you?” I asked as I stirred sugar into my coffee.
“You have no idea, stubborn lady.” He opened his hand on the table, gesturing for mine. “You and I are going to be an interesting couple.”
A couple. With David Dylan.
I tapped the sugar spoon on the edge of my glass, set it down, and put my hand in his. I studied the way his large one engulfed mine. Protective. Gentle. Dominant. I cocked my head.
I was David Dylan’s . . . girlfriend?
“What’s wrong?” David asked.
“Nothing. This is all just so . . . weird,” I said, glancing at Gretchen. “I have a new life.”
“So, you’re like her boyfriend—right, David?” Gretchen chimed in.
“I don’t know if that’s quite the right word,” he replied.
I blinked at him.What?
“Roommate?” Gretchen suggested.
I jumped at David’s burst of laughter.
“Gretchen,” I squealed, staring daggers at her.
David squeezed my hand. “Boyfriendisn’t strong enough, but if we need something to call me, then it works for now.”
Gretchen sipped her coffee and hummed thoughtfully, alerting us that there was something on her mind.
“Yes?” I asked her.
“It’s Saturday.”
“So?” I asked just as I noticed David shake his head at Gretchen.
“Isn’t tonight—”
“Nothing,” David cut her off. “Tonight, Olivia and I will finally get some much-needed alone time.”
I looked between the two of them. “What’s tonight?”
“It’s The Revelin’s official grand opening soiree,” David said, “but I’m not going.”
“Wait. What?” I asked. I’d seen The Revelin hotel, David’s big project on the Riverfront, when it had just been a half-finished construction site. We’d spent a night in the finished hotel, and it had opened to the public already, but still. This was David’s moment to take the credit. “That’s a huge deal. You have to go.”
“It’s not important,” he said, tearing his glare from Gretchen to look at me. “I’m taking care of you right now.”
“No.” I shook my head with determination. “Absolutely not. If you don’t want me to come, I understand, but you are definitely going. How can you say it’s not important? Itisimportant, you’ve dedicated—”
“Whoa there,” he interrupted, smiling. “I don’t even want to go. I already did all my schmoozing bullshit at the soft opening. Although, can’t say I regret that night one bit,” he added. I blushed, remembering the oh-so-wrong, but oh-so-right night of life-altering sex in his hotel room . . . and then in the hotel room’spool. “Really, I don’t care about it,” David continued. “The hotel’s been open long enough for us to know everything’s going smoothly. I would much rather spend a quiet night with you.”
No way. I took my hand back, sitting up straight in my seat. “You worked hard on that project, and you deserve to be honored,” I declared. “You’re going to that party, David Dylan, with or without me. I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself for a night—”
“All right.” He cut me off with his palms in the air. “I’ll go. But I’m sure as hell not going without you. That is, if you’re up for it.”
“I’m up for it,” I stated firmly.
