“People aren’t résumés, Dev,” Lucy pointed out, leaning forward. “And for the record, I’ve seen you blush twice since we started talking about him.”
“That’s because you’re embarrassing me!” Devney protested. “Seriously, there’s nothing there. He’s my boss, and we could not be more different if we tried. Oil and water, remember?”
“But you know what they say about opposites attracting…”
“Lucy!”
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop. For now.” Lucy raised her glass with a wink. “But mark my words, this is not the last time we’re having this conversation.”
As they continued sipping their drinks, Lucy leaned forward, her eyes lit up with the kind of gleam that promised chaos and cocktails. “So, when he agreed to go to this oh-so-important gala, it wasn’t because you batted those Bambi eyes of yours and he melted like a forgotten ice cream cone?”
Devney nearly choked on her laugh. “I don’t bat my eyes!”
“You hesitated.” Lucy leaned forward with a wicked grin. “You totally hesitated.”
“That proves nothing,” Devney shot back, but her cheeks betrayed her, heating despite her best efforts.
“For someone who claims there’s ‘nothing there,’ you sure get pink whenever his name comes up.”
Devney groaned. “Stop,” she begged, covering her face with both hands. “Seriously, Lucy, this is ridiculous. He’s my boss. My grumpy boss. End of story. There’s no attraction or whatever you’re trying to imply.”
“Sure, sure,” Lucy conceded, nodding. “No attraction whatsoever. That’s why you spend half your day trying to get a reaction out of him, and the other half pretending you don’t notice how annoyingly good he looks.”
“Lucy Wang, I swear to all things holy?—”
“Relax, Dev. Your secret’s safe with me. For now.” Lucy’s tone was light. Then, with a sly grin, she added, “But seriously, have you considered that your little ‘mission’ to loosen him up might be step one in your grand plan to become Mrs. Wilder?”
Devney’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”
“All I’m saying is,” Lucy continued, “I’ve heard the way you talk about him. You two already have this spark. It’s practically a fire hazard. Throw in this gala event, and who can predict what might happen.”
“You are officially the worst.”
“Maybe. But I’m also right. And when you two inevitably end up together, I expect full credit as your fairy godfriend.”
“Not happening,” Devney stated firmly, though the heat in her cheeks made her doubt her own words.
“Whatever you say, Dev, but don’t think for a second that I’m letting this go.”
Lucy raised her glass. “To you, Devs. For surviving another day in the trenches of corporate America and somehow staying your ridiculously optimistic self.”
“To us,” Devney echoed, tapping her glass against Lucy’s. “For always having each other’s backs and calling out nonsense at exactly the right moment.”
As they sipped their drinks, she felt a warm glow settle over her. No matter how chaotic or confusing her life became, whether it involved grumpy billionaires or gala planning, she knew she could face it all. With Lucy in her corner and her own unshakable optimism, anything seemed possible. Even maybe figuring out the mystery that was Ronan Wilder.
Chapter 3
The doorman greetedhim with a polite nod, and he returned it with the faintest of gestures, his dark hair slicked back and not a wrinkle or stray thread in sight on his tailored suit. He adjusted his tie as he pushed through the heavy glass doors. The scent of butter and sage greeted him as he stepped inside—elegant, expensive, a little too strong. The restaurant buzzed, muted conversations layered over the clink of silverware and the delicate strains of piano music, peppered by bursts of laughter.
His polished shoes tapped against the marble floor as he strode forward, every movement purposeful.
Heads turned, not because he demanded attention, but because he had it. A waiter made the mistake of hovering too long in his path; one arched brow from Ronan sent the poor man scurrying away like a startled rabbit.
Gabriel was mid-conversation, one hand moving with restrained precision, the other hovering near his wine glass—every motion intentional, like everything else he did.
Knox, broad-shouldered and grinning like he’d pulled off a heist, leaned back with the confidence of someone who didn’t mind being the loudest man in the room.
“Well, well.” Knox’s voice carried enough volume to make two nearby tables glance their way as Ronan approached. “Look who’s graced us with his presence. Did you take a meeting on the way here…or did your GPS just figure out how to get across town?”
