Bella bites her lip. “I know. But I also know you're off tomorrow, and so—”
I shake my head and tsk at her. “You know I’m off because you know I’ve been chomping at the bit for the release ofIce Breaker. Which comes out tomorrow.”
“I know, I know, you wanted to go to the launch party, but Jake….” she whines. “Please… I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t super important.”
I cross my arms. Bella knows how much I love my romance novels. She also knows I’ve hadIce Breaker,the nextSecret Gamesbook from my favorite authors, Penny Fox & Ariel Dawn, on pre-order for months and I’m practically dying to see what happens between Alex and Mack.
“Quite a favor you’re asking. What’s in it for me?”
I already know I’m going to do it. Not just because it’s Bella and she’s my top client, but because I knew the minute she saidheneeded a date for tomorrow, I was sold. But I can’t help that I like pushing her buttons sometimes because she is so cute and makes it so damn easy.
“What’s worth giving up my night binge reading my most awaited book this year in my TTPD sweats with a bottle of Prosecco?”
Bella looks me dead in the eyes when she says, “Chris said his cousin’s willing to pay double the rate. For the rush. And overtime pay if the party goes over the scheduled time.”
Double the rate? That’s three grand for the three hour minimum. And overtime? Fuck. Not even Bella pays methat well.
My eyes widen at her words. The potential to make at minimum three thousand dollars when I could be sitting at home in my sweats is too tempting to pass up. Even for me.
Sorry Alex. You’ll have to wait.
“You could have led with the three grand, you know,” I say as I take another drink.
Bella relaxes in her booth and breathes out, “Oh, thank God. You really had me going there for a minute.”
I chuckle as she takes a long drink. I hear Taylor on the radio again, smiling because that’s twice in one sitting.
Blank Space.I grin.
“You know I wouldn’t leave you—orChris—” I say his name dramatically as I smirk at her with a wink. “Hanging.”
“You are a lifesaver, Jacob.” I don’t miss the tinge of pink in her cheeks as she whips out her phone.
I drink my coffee smugly. “I know.”
She casts me a knowing grin.
“Can I give Chris your number? He can text you the details since he’s the one arranging everything.”
I shrug as I get out my phone, queuing up my calendar and shoot off an email to Foxy, noting the switch and Bella’s recommendation. It’s not something I usually do, but it’s not like it’s the first time it’s ever happened. I’ve canceled dates and rebooked them on the same day. Foxy doesn’t complain as long as we handle it. I’d rather be honest, and Bella’s a good client, so I know Foxy will be cool as long as the client is happy and getting what they want.
And Bella is certainly getting what she wants—a solution to her neighbor’s problem.
Plus, since itismy day off, Foxy won’t complain.
“Seriously, I owe you,” she says once she shoves her phone back into her pocket. I set mine on the table.
“You can make it up to me by keeping your mouth shut about any spoilers,” I tease, since I know she’s going to binge the book the moment it hits midnight and lands on her Kindle.
“And you definitely owe me a coffee.”
Bella smiles warmly. “Deal.”
My phone chimes, and I pick it up to see an unknown number, likely Chris. I open the text to see the information for my date tomorrow night.
Unknown: Astrid Marina & Event Center 672 Portland Avenue 7:00 PM Black Tie. Meet Up 6:00 PM. Aaron will be wearing a black suit with a hot pink tie. This is his #.
Chris drops me a linked number, and I immediately add Chris into my contacts asNeighbor Chrisas well as his cousin, who I list asAaron Smith.
