“Hi, Clover.” She turned red for an entirely different reason. What was wrong with her? Throwing herself at this man while his son watched. Could she be any more embarrassing?
“Hi, Sable.” The kid flashed her a weird grin, and she pinched her eyebrows at him. What was that look? “I just got off from school. Dad said I could have a hot chocolate with marshmallows.”
“Sounds yummy. Enjoy your drinks.” She smiled at the boy and then offered Cash a quick nod before sidestepping them, but as she passed the duo, Clover cleared his voice obnoxiously loud. She glanced at him, wondering if he was trying to signal her, but he was staring at his father with an expectant look. Sable realized the noise wasn’t for her, so she resumed her exit when Clover cleared his throat again, even more obnoxiously than the first.
“Actually,Sable.” Cash caught her wrist before she could leave. “I’m headed back to work after I take Clover home, otherwise I’d ask you to have coffee with us.”
“No worries,” she said. Coffee with Cash was a bad idea.A genuinelyhorrible idea. Good lord, did she want to,though.
“But are you free tomorrow night?” he asked. “I’m supervising the morning shift, and Clover’s classmate invited the class to go bowling in the evening, so I was wondering if you’d have dinner with me.”
“Dinner? As in a date?” She glanced down at his son to find him nodding enthusiastically. Little matchmaker. If only he understood the disaster their pairing would be. She couldn’t date the enemy. Cash stood between her and a filthy amount of zeros.She shouldn’t go out with him, and she absolutely couldn’t like him. It would be the death of her career.
“No pressure,” Cash said, even as Clovercontinued to nod. “But I would love to take you out.”
“I’m free,” she said, her mouth disobeying her brain. Why had she agreed? What on earth was wrong with her? She was a professional. She didn’t date the opposition. “Where were you thinking of going? So I know how to dress.” Why was she still talking?
“Do you have a preference?” he asked. “Do you prefer fancy, dive-style hidden gem, or somewhere in between?”
“Surprised me with whatever you think I’ll enjoy,” she said. She couldn’t help herself. This wasn’t her normal M.O., but something about Cash defied logic. He felt like someone her soul had always known, and she couldn’t say no to a once-in-a-lifetime connection.
“Wow, no pressure.” He chuckled as he handed her his phone. “Give me your number, and I’ll text you what to wear when I plan the surprise.”
“A plan and a surprise. I like this already.”
“I only hope I can live up to your expectations.” He took his cell back, and Sable was worried Clover’s face would split in half if he didn’t stop smiling so hard. This kid had caught her snooping and was now trying to set her up with his dad. Of all her qualities, she hadn’t expected that one to recommend her, but it seemed the boy was the architect of this date. She was honored, but slightly ashamed. She was bad news for this family.
“Well, I need to walk him home before my shift, but I’m happy we ran into you,” Cash said before she could offer a delayed excuse. “I’m excited.”
“He is,” Clover confirmed, and Sable stifled a laugh as his father nudged him with annoyance.
“I’m glad. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She gave a small wave as she fled the shop, her brain arguing with her heart to justify her actions. Dating the head of security would give her an edge in this competition. She could ask questions without him getting suspicious, and she’d be welcome at the museum. No one would suspect her of being a thief if shewasseeing the boss.
But this date was a bad idea. She might break Cash’s heart. She could end up breaking her own. She should cancel. He was a distraction she didn’t need, but one she craved, anyway. So she lied to herself. She forced herself to believe she was doing this for the heist. By going out with the most beautiful man she’d ever seen, she’d gain the advantage she needed to win this hunt.
Sable’s phone buzzed, and she twisted from her apartment’s elaborate computer setup to find an unknown number gracing the screen.
Unknown
Wear a dress tonight.
Sable smiled at the four wordsas shesaved the stranger’s number to her contact list.
Sable
Heels or flats?
Cash
If I’m allowed to choose, definitely heels, but I want you to be comfortable.
I like heels. Plus, you’re tall enough for me to wear them.
Yeah…
Cash’s messages halted, and she wondered if that was the end of their conversation, but the texting bubbles returned a minute later.
I like how tall I am compared to you, so wear the tallest heels you have. They won’t make a difference.
