The library’s air conditioning rattles as it comes to life and the heady scent of his cologne washes over me like an inviting, intriguing wave. The fragrance is woody and rich and as smooth as his outfit. He’s a pretty well-dressed guy. Actually, it looks like he probably has a big round of meetings to get to today as well, judging from his charcoal suit, light blue dress shirt and power tie. Damn, if he doesn’t make the ensemble look good.
“It seems like you had something on your mind is all,” he offers, his head tilting one way and then the other.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Is he suddenly realizing how familiar I look?
Is he thinking I might be crazy?
AmI crazy?
“Don’t we all?” I quip with a coy smile.
He chuckles. The sound is rumbling and deep and the hair on the back of my neck slowly lifts up on edge. A shiver runs up my spine, traveling vertebra by vertebra. When he looks at me, every inch of skin beneath his gaze tingles. The way I feel when I’m near him is strangely addicting—and I hardly even know him at all.
“Are you going to be lost in thought tonight?” he asks offhandedly. When I look at him in bewilderment, he adds, “I thought maybe you and I could meet up and do some…reading together.”
“Reading?” I echo.
Even as I’m trying to figure out what he’s talking about, my eyes lock on the clock across the library.
Oh, hell.
I’m late.
Reallylate.
For a girl as professional as I am, even a minute or two is devastating. Glossed & Glammed has a perfect record when it comes to meeting execs, sponsors, and collaborators, and I’ve just destroyed that all because some handsome guy batted beautiful brown eyes at me.
“Actually, let’s eat instead,” he suggests. “La Chanterelle has some mind-blowing souffle.”
My eyelashes flutter as I focus on him again. This tall, sexy, broad-shouldered guy is seriously asking me out right now. Not just to anywhere either. La Chanterelle is one of the fanciest, most expensive restaurants in the city. Their waitlist is a mile long and he thinks he can just waltz in there with me on his arm tonight? He probably doesn’t even know what he’s saying. Or maybe this is simply his favorite line. Either way, I’ve already got plans tonight—even though this guy reallyistempting.
“Girls running into you must be your thing if you’re willing to take me to La Chanterelle afterward,” I tease.
He flashes me a devastating grin. “Maybe so. The name is Grayson Hill, by the way. I didn’t catch yours.”
This time it’s my turn to smile at him. “That’s because I haven’t mentioned it.”
Chuckling again, Grayson lightly bites his lower lip and eyes me. “So? How about it? You tell me your name and I’ll treat you to a nice evening out.”
In all honesty, I’m contemplating his offer, even if I can’t go out tonight. It’s been so long since a guy has interested me like this. And judging by the way he’s looking at me now, he’s interested in me, too.
Before I can consider Grayson’s interest for long, the sound of familiar giggling drifts over from the entrance of the library. My ears prick and my back goes rigid. I know it’s the girls who were eagerly chasing me before. Now, they’re closing in on me.
I’d better get a move on. If I don’t hightail it to my first meeting of the day, I’m going to blow our partnership with that boutique Liv has her heart set on. Besides, I already have so much on my plate, and Sutton and Liv are depending on me to keep our G&G ship afloat business-wise. This has been a fun little distraction, but now it’s time to focus on what’s really important.
My admirers are getting closer and closer. I can hear their subdued whispers and shrill laughter as they’re firmly asked to hush by the nearby librarian.
Just as I’m trying to figure out how to gracefully reject the best-looking man I’ve ever seen, the little boy from before dashes by the table and knocks over the stack of books. When my handsome rescuer turns to catch them before they fall on the floor, I take my cue to leave and quickly duck out the side door of the library. By the time he turns around, I’ll be long gone.
And by the time I get home, this will merely be something to giggle about with Sutton and Liv.
But if that’s true, why does every step away from Grayson feel like the hardest I’ve ever taken?
CHAPTER THREE
My windows all the way down, hot evening air whips my blond hair around my face as I drive back toward home, where Sutton and Liv will be wrapping up most of their work for the day. Next to me, I’ve got platters full of sushi from our favorite place, including veggie rolls for Liv.
