"Business non-date?"Alex asks."Really?"
"It's not a date."I return to my seat."We're simply attending the same event.For efficiency."
"Efficiency," Connor repeats."Is that what we're calling it now?"
"I'm handling this professionally."
"You're handling this like a man who hasn't dated since the Cretaceous period," Grayson says."Which, to be fair, you are."
"I've dated.”
"Amanda Chen doesn't count.You approached that relationship like a merger and acquisition."
"That's not—Okay, that's a little true."
"You liked Sage enough to drive out there at night," Alex points out."That means something."
"It means I care about product quality.That’s all.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before my phone buzzes with a text from Sage.
Found a dress.It's either perfect or a disaster.No middle ground.
I snort.
"You're doing it again," Grayson observes."The face thing."
"What face thing?"
"The 'I'm smitten but refuse to admit it' face."
"I don't have a?—"
"You absolutely do," all three say together.
Another text:Fair warning - Buttercup ate my good shoes.I'll be wearing boots to your fancy gala.Very chic.Very "farm girl crashes society."
And then my phone rings.Daniella.
I answer, turning away from the Supreme Court of pain-in-my-ass now gawking at me.
"Luke?”Daniella’s voice is tiny.“Small problem.The Cascade View just called.Someone named Mira.Apparently, their system is showing some anomalies."
"What kind of anomalies?"
"The kind where it's randomly playing smooth jazz at full volume throughout the inn."
I close my eyes."Of course it is."
"Want me to send Kenji?"
"No.I'll handle it when I get there tonight."I check my watch."Tell them I'll fix it when I pick up Ms.Winters for the gala."
"The gala where you're definitely not taking her on a date?"
"Daniella—"
"Just checking, boss.I'll let them know."
