And so much for that Inbox Zero project. I hadn't been able to reason myself out of escorting her back to the penthouse. Something primal in me wouldn't even let her walk across a well-lit parking lot with security guards on duty by herself—or allow her to get away with distracting me from work. Several hours of punishment ensued, and the emails didn't end up getting answered until the next morning, which was when I’d also asked Agnes to order a replacement romper,stat.
Apparently, the replacement had made it to Sunny, but she’d chosen to wear it—and bywear it, I meantorture me—while we were outto lunch at the Benton’s Golf Club.
Sunny gave me a naughty smile."I figured this was the only place the poor romper was safe."
Our waiter appeared to pull out her seat, and I took one of my own, grimly placing my napkin back in my lap. Speaking of on purpose...
I purposefully maintained a detached look as I fought the urge to stare.
The Soft Life (as she often called itwhenever she proposed revisiting the part of our relationship agreement that restricted her from taking unauthorized jobs)looked good on Sunny.
She'd swapped out her long, curly extensions for a gently waved, shoulder-skimming do she'd called a silk press when demanding props for what she referred to as her “YouTube skills.”
Sunny liked this new style because it "matched everything," and even better, "I can do it myself at home with all this extra free time you're forcing on me."
I liked it because the pretty waves matched her looks and her spirit—at least when she wasn't torturing me with outfits that showcased her legs and curves a little too perfectly when she was aware I had to go back to work after lunch.
Why had I told Agnes to replace that romper? And why couldn't I stop staring at her like a hungry wolf? It had been over two weeks since we signed that agreement, and the usual detachment I felt with women still had yet to set in.
But it would set in. Eventually. Wouldn't it? A small panic kicked me in the gut.
"Cole, are you alright?"
I raised my gaze to find Sunny regarding me with a worried look.I must have let the mask slip. Yet again.
This was becoming a problem.
“You’re lucky we’re in public," I bit out to cover up the mask slip. "I’ll be seeing you and that romper after work.”
"Sorry, Cole."Sunny's worried look was replaced by a smug nonchalance.“I actually have plans with Nora tonight."
"Cancel them."
"We’re going to eat dinner here and then go see the seven o’clock Benton Girls show,"Sunny kept going as if she hadn't heard my command.
So I repeated it louder.“You’re going to have to cancel."
"C'mon, Cole."Sunny twisted her lips and dipped her chin.“I've barely left your place in two weeks, and poor Nora..."
“Will be fine without you.She’s been going to the revue without you all these years.”
“That’s whatshesaid when I called her about joining her tonight!”Sunny threw me a disappointed look.“But seriously,we don't have much time left with Nora. You, the person who's going out of his way to make his grandma's dream come true, should get why it's important to take these opportunities better than anyone else.”
She was right, I did understand her motivation to spend time with Nora better than anyone else. The lie I'd told her to get her on board with my necessary plan twisted in my gut. I was close to getting all the votes I'd need to oust my grandma from the board and bring this charade to an end, but my mood darkened, thinking of the fallout that would occur when Sunny discovered I'd been using her as a pawn this entire time.
“Who knows how long she’ll even have to go to shows?" Sunny continued on the other side of the table. "The least I can do is attend a few with her.”
Sunny’s eyes went soft with fondness for my grandmother.“She’s so brave.”
I narrowly resisted the urge to roll my eyes and answer,If by brave, you mean next-level meddlesome....
Sunny’s face suddenly lit up with an idea.“Hey, how about you come with us?”
I shook my head.“That’s not in the original outing agenda, and I’d rather front-load my work in preparation for your dance class on Saturday.”
Last Saturday, I'd tried and utterly failed to keep myself from stripping off Sunny’s pink leotard ensemble as soon as we got back to the penthouse. We’d ended up spending most of the morning in bed, and I hadn’t made it into the office until well after lunch.
“Please?”Sunny said, fingering the ruffle on her romper and peeping up at me.“It would make Nora so happy to see you. And this would definitely qualify asbeing nice."
