It wasn’t one of the chain shops, but it was packed. I could smell the baked goods and rich scent of coffee in the air. People were everywhere, coming and going. All the tables were full, but I could see a few were getting ready to leave. I stood in line, tapping my foot impatiently, waiting my turn. I got my coffee in a takeaway cup, and added a cranberry-lemon scone to my order that looked tempting. After paying, I turned and scanned the room, scowling at the lack of an empty table. I walked farther into the store and rounded the corner, spying a vacant chair against the wall. At least I could sit and wait for a table.I strode toward the corner, cursing when my foot caught on something, sending me lurching to the left. Luckily, I kept hold of my coffee cup, but some of the contents spurted through the opening and landed on the table tucked behind the wall. My paper fell out from under my arm, and my cell phone skittered across the worn linoleum tiles.“Oh, shit,” a horrified voice

Bentley“Who was that?”I glanced over at Aiden with a shrug. “Some girl I spoke with in the coffee shop.”“You spoke with some girl?”“We had a conversation, yes.”“She’s hot. You get her number?”I rolled my eyes. “She’s a university student. I highly doubt she’s interested in spending time with a thirty-two-year-old man.”He looked concerned. “She looked older than the normal student. What’s her name?”“Emmy . . . I think.”“You think?”I waved my hand. “Inside joke.”He narrowed his eyes. “Did you approach her or did she approach you?”“For fuck sake, Aiden, don’t start. She isn’t someone out to get me. I was looking for a place to sit, and there was an empty chair at her table. I sat there. We chatted. No big deal.”I turned, checked for traffic, and hurried across the street, hoping Greg had finally made it into his office. Aiden was right beside me, mumbling.“It’s not like you to chat with someone, that’s all. Or say, ‘inside joke.’ Never mind the fact I saw her kiss your chee

“Mr. Callaghan?”“He won’t be joining us.”His lips thinned, but he didn’t say anything. The drive was silent, as I read my paper undisturbed. When we arrived, I stepped out. “I’ll call you when I’m ready. It will be about an hour.”He drove off, and I crossed the street. I tugged down my shirtsleeves, feeling edgy. I didn’t know if she’d be there. Perhaps she wouldn’t want to speak with me again. I had been rather short with her. I thought how much I liked the soft press of her lips on my cheek, and the way her voice sounded in my ear. I straightened my shoulders. I was being ridiculous. Chances were, I would get a coffee and a scone, and head to Greg’s office.But if I was being truthful, I hoped she would be at her table.I pulled open the door and joined the line. It was as busy as yesterday. This time, I got a larger coffee, and was pleased to see a pile of scones. Cinnamon raisin today. After adding one to my order and paying, I went directly to the back, making sure there was n

BentleyAiden didn’t say a word as we crossed the street. I knew he was behind me, but I didn’t acknowledge him. He was silent in the elevator, and aside from a nod to Greg, remained that way as I went through the documents, making sure the wording was what I wanted. I signed and handed them back to Greg.“I want to meet next week about my bid.”“I assumed as much. Wednesday?”I glanced through my schedule, and before I replied, added Emmy to Friday. Simply seeing the words on my phone made me happy.“Something funny?”I glanced up. “No. I needed to add something before I forget.” As if I could possibly forget. “Wednesday is good.”He tapped away at his computer. “Okay. See you next week. I’ll come to the office?”“No, I’ll come here.”He regarded me curiously. “That’s twice you’ve come to me. What’s going on with you? We usually meet in your office.”I shrugged. “Trying to be accommodating.”He threw back his head, laughing loud. “Good one. Now, really. What’s going on?”Ignoring him

Her eyes narrowed back on the tie, then to the screen. “Are you wearing his tie?”I chuckled because of course she would notice a detail like that. She always did.“I couldn’t find my tie this morning.”“Laundry day?”“Yes.” I laughed because that was exactly what he had guessed, too. “Bentley, well, he put this on me as we were saying goodbye.” I looked down, stroking the silk. “It was the sweetest thing ever.”“Do you have any idea how much a tie like that costs?”I shook my head. “No.”“More than your rent.”“Shit,” I swore under my breath. “I need to give it back.”“I don’t think he cares if he gave it to you. You might insult him.”“I can’t keep something so expensive!”“If he gave it to you, yes you can.”I mulled over her words. She was probably right, but I was still giving back the tie.“He has a bodyguard.”“Really? How exciting!”“He’s massive. His arms are like tree trunks.”“Is he coming with you on Friday?”“Probably. Bentley showed up this morning without him, and he ar