A shadow formed over our table for a moment before I heard a familiar voice reply, “Want to practice flirting with me?”
7.Bryce
If I thoughtJada was beautiful when she was determined, she was even prettier laughing with her friend in the café. Even more so when she looked up at me with those surprised brown eyes, full lips slightly parted.
“You want to practice flirting with me?” Jada asked, confused.
“Perhaps during dinner,” I suggested, hands open at my sides.
Jada’s friend looked like she was eating this up, but then the barista called out an order of dirty chais. Letting out a disappointed sigh, Rei got up. “Fine, I’ll give you two some privacy,” she said before sauntering over to the coffee counter.
Standing this close to Jada made it hard to focus on anything else. Like how that kid outside had done a literal front flip off the rock while his mom was reading from a pamphlet of some kind.
Instead of responding to my offer, Jada said, “No construction at naptime today. Thank you.”
I smiled. “Why yes, I will accept a meal with you as a token of your gratitude.”
Her eyes narrowed while a playful smile formed on her lips. “Is that what I said?”
“With your eyes,” I replied, shrugging. “Has anyone told you I’m an excellent eye-reader?”
A snort sounded from behind me, and when I turned, I noted Jada’s friend trying to look anywhere else while she sat at another table with two paper cups.
My cheeks felt hot, but damn it, I was thirty-five years old, founder of a billion-dollar company, and I was not getting embarrassed around women... right?
Jada said, “You can come over, Rei.”
Rei walked over, setting the cups at the table before pulling up an extra chair. She spoke to Jada, saying, “Why don’t you let him take you out? A nice dinner could be fun. And a dirty martini.”
“You and your martinis.” Jada shook her head. “It’s not about dinner. I kind of like seeing him squirm, you know?”
“Hey,” I said. “Still here.”
Rei ignored me, saying, “He is kind of cute.”
Now my neck felt hot all over again. “I’m your boss... kind of.” Technically we contracted the cleaning company, but that was neither here nor there.
Jada said, “He’s also kind of my boss.”
“The daycare is also contracted by the company,” I butted in.
Rei gestured at me. “See? You don’t report to him.” Then a wicked smile crossed her lips. “Although that could be kind of fun, if you catch my drift.”
Jada nudged her friend under the table with her sensible black sneakers. “I’m going to put so many stickers on the floor,” she hissed.
Rei gasped. “Don’t you dare.”
I cleared my throat. “Maya made reservations at the Skylight Lounge in...” I glanced at my watch. “Half an hour. Care to join me, Jada?”
Both of their mouths fell open, and Rei said, “Same day rezzy at Skylight? Who did you blow?”
I chuckled. “I assure you, there were no ‘blows’ exchanged.” That placewasimpossible to get into. For most people. But I wasn’t most people.
Rei gave her friend a look that said,You have to go now.
But Jada examined her cuticles. “I’m allergic to shellfish, and considering the main offering is lobster...”
“Really?” I kicked myself. I should have had Maya see if Jada had allergies before making a reservation. As I thought of what to do next, Simon’s words flashed through my mind.You haven’t made a good enough pitch.
