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“Forty-five minutes. Keep Blondie occupied until then.”

“Drive, asshole.”

Still smiling, I end the call and point the Mini back toward the studio.

Chapter 31 Nash

I come through the back door of the studio, moving fast enough that Max barely looks up before I toss him his keys. He catches them against his chest while I keep going toward the locker room.

“Nice to see you too.”

“Simon’s still out front?”

“He was thirty seconds ago, and he’s getting suspicious.”

That gets me moving faster. I grab my gym bag from the locker, run cold water over my hands, and rake wet fingers through my hair until it looks like I’ve at least been somewhere in the vicinity of physical activity. My cover story isn’t exactly airtight, but considering Max invented a meditation room that doesn’t exist, expectations are already low.

I’m coming back down the hallway when I hear his voice from the lobby.

“I already told you, handsome, you don’t interrupt someone while they’re meditating.”

“I’m not asking to interrupt him. I need to confirm that he’s here.”

I round the corner and find Simon standing across the desk from Max with his arms folded over his chest. Max looks entirely too pleased with himself for a man currently lying to professional security, and there’s enough color across Simon’s cheeks to tell me exactly why. Well, hello blushing hot guy.

“No need to search the sacred meditation chamber. I’m right here.” Simon’s attention snaps to me while relief flashes across Max’s face. I step behind the desk and pull him into a hug before he can say anything that ruins the performance.

“Sorry I took so long. Thanks for waiting.”

His arms close around me. “You owe me so fucking much,” he mutters against my shoulder.

“Put it on my tab.”

I grab my bag and follow Simon outside before he starts asking questions I don’t want to answer. Owen is already in the passenger seat, and Simon waits until I’m safely inside before getting behind the wheel and pulling away from the curb. Neither man says anything about my suspiciously long meditation session.

I make it almost a block before deciding silence is boring. “So, Simon, Max thinks you’re hot.”

Owen coughs into his fist. Simon keeps his eyes on the road, although his jaw moves once before he answers. “Mr. Campbell, my personal life isn’t relevant to your security.”

“Nash. And I didn’t ask about your personal life. I told you my friend thinks you’re hot.” I stretch my legs out as much as the back seat allows. “He’s single, owns the studio, and he’s one of the best people you’ll ever meet. I’m doing you a favor here.”

Owen turns far enough to look back at me. “You might be wasting your time. I’ve worked with Simon for five years and never seen him date anyone.”

Simon cuts him a look in the mirror. The warning look in his eyes only makes Owen grin.

“See, that still isn’t a no.” I catch Simon’s eyes in the mirror for a second. “Are you not interested in men, or are you just determined to make me work for this?”

“I don’t discuss my personal life while I’m working. My responsibility right now is keeping you safe.”

Considering I just spent several hours proving how difficult I can make that responsibility, I decide not to point out the obvious. “Fine. I’ll stop interrogating you, but for the record, Max was blushing too.”

Simon’s eyes flick toward me again before returning to the road. Oh, that is absolutely something.

Owen laughs, and I turn my attention to him instead. “What about you? You into men?”

“I’ve only dated women, but I’m not blind. Your friend’s cute.”

“Thank you. Finally, someone appreciates my matchmaking skills.”