Hadley worked for him. He’d hired her so he could win the bet.
But this past week, they’d become friends.
Yes, friends.
A friend she was attracted to, dreamed about, and wanted to kiss again.
She hadn’t done the last thing.
And wouldn’t.
Because that was against her rules.
Ready to hear how last night with his friends had gone for Blaise, Hadley made her way downstairs and entered the kitchen. Someone sat at the island. Dash.
With a bright smile on his face, he raised his coffee mug. “Good morning.”
Hadley glanced around. No one else was there. “Where’s Blaise?”
“In his office on a conference call.” Dash motioned to a pink box decorated with black lettering and characters. “I brought donuts. Help yourself.”
Her mouth watered. Coffee no longer tempted her. She’d developed a taste for herbal tea and honey thanks to Robyn, but she hadn’t eaten a donut in forever. Okay, a week and a half. That was long enough.
“Thanks.” She filled a glass with water, sat on the stool next to Dash, and grabbed a maple bar with two slices of bacon on top. That counted as protein, right? She took a bite. “Delicious.”
“Thanks for telling Blaise to talk to us last night. It wasn’t easy for him, but it went well. And his past is something we need to know about him.” Dash sipped his coffee. “Now we can help him. If he needs it. Because that’s what friends do.”
“Yes, it is.” Dash was too cute, and whatever went down last night sounded good. That made her happy. “You guys are lucky to have each other.”
“We are. And I know they don’t only want to hang with me because of my money.” Dash laughed. “Though let’s be real. I’m more like the annoying kid brother the others tolerate.”
Dashiell Cabot was the youngest of the six. He was also an interesting combination of genius and gamer. When they’d watched the football game, he’d bounced from one subject to another, the same way a dog might find his attention all over the place in a forest full of flying squirrels. Today he appeared more focused. Maybe he did better one-on-one.
She picked up her maple bar. “Every group needs one of those.”
His mouth slanted in a charming, lopsided smile. “Yeah, and now they’re stuck with me. They couldn’t get rid of me if they tried.”
She laughed. “Have they?”
Mischief gleamed in his eyes. “Possibly.”
“But you’re still here.”
“I am.” He opened the lid to the donut box but let it drop. “Last night, Blaise mentioned something about you finding me and Wes dates.”
What? Hadley tried to keep her features neutral. She had no idea what was going on, but she would go with it. “I haven’t spoken with Blaise since he went over to your house. I was asleep when he got home, but I’d be happy to find dates for you and Wes.”
Hadley purposely saiddatesbecause sayingwivesmight not go over well, even though she’d been hired to find them. She ate another bite of her donut. So tasty.
Dash drank more coffee before pushing a few sheets of paper toward her. “Blaise asked me to fill this out. I emailed an electronic version to you, but here’s a print copy, too.”
“Thanks.” She appreciated his thoughtfulness because she was old school about some things. A glance told her he’d completed her questionnaire. “This will help me.”
“Blaise said you might have some questions.”
“A few.”
Dash turned his coffee cup a quarter one way and then back again. “That should be okay.”
