Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Besides, you didn’t seem to mind. Oh, we’re both creative types, blah-blah.”
Casey laughed. “Shut it.”
13
We all packed into the elevator, which was a bit too close for comfort as I was standing beside Rowan and could feel his arm brushing against mine. I should’ve been irritated instead of reveling in how it made the hairs stand on end.
Once on the rooftop, the view of the skyline was spectacular. Mom rushed to the railing to snap photos, and then we all posed while Rowan took a picture of us.
Mom insisted that Rowan be included and asked a stranger to help us out. She’d no doubt share the photos with my siblings and her friends, and I wondered what they’d think about what would undoubtedly look like a glamorous life, especially with that backdrop and someone as elegant as Rowan in the shots. It felt almost phony, but did it matter? They already thought I’d left small-town life for the big city and had all sorts of presumptions about that. I’d even tried to hide just how much of a struggle it was sometimes to afford living here so my parents wouldn’t worry.
Afterward, Rowan recognized someone from the bar and walked over to chat with her before returning to the ledge and the view that my parents couldn’t seem to stop marveling at. He stood apart from us as if to offer some privacy, but I found myself wandering over to him regardless.
“Thanks for being so kind to my parents,” I said, knowing they were out of earshot.
“It was no hardship. It’s lovely how supportive they are of you.” There was a certain sadness in his words that made questions form on my lips, but I had a feeling he wouldn’t be so gracious with me if I asked them.
“My mom is obviously enamored with you.”
He smirked. “How could she not be?” There was the arrogance I was missing tonight. Well, not exactly missing; more like noticing its stark absence.
“I appreciate that you didn’t treat them as small-town hicks.”
“Maybe you’re projecting?” He frowned, and guilt set up camp in my chest. Fuck, was I? Or was it my fear that others would see them that way, much like I felt when I first moved to the city? “Is that how little you think of me?”
“No, I…that was ignorant.” I was beginning to wonder if he only came across as so self-important to me. Maybe I desperately wanted to be annoyed by Rowan, so I—or my body, for that matter—wouldn’t have any other feelings or reactions to him. Was I being willfully blind to the thoughtful, kindhearted man underneath the diva facade?
“Besides, your mom has a better fashion sense than you, so she gets extra points.”
Relief washed through me as I playfully smacked him. “You take that back.”
“Never.”
His grin was genuine and magical, and I needed to stop staring so hard.
“But honestly,” he continued, growing sober. “You helped me out once, so I figured I’d repay the kindness, no matter how outlandish it was.”
I drew back. “Do you mean… Are you referring to the fundraiser?”
He looked away. “Obviously.”
So that was what this dinner was about?
“Lucky for you, we require no fake kissing to impress my parents.”
His cheek quirked. “I have a feeling your mom might get a kick out of that.”
I glanced away to avoid his eyes. “True.”
“But maybe more out of a small-town love connection between you and Casey.”
Why did he sound almost envious? Evidently, I was reading too much into it.
“Oh, I don’t know about that. She might be charmed by elegant, snobby men who smell good.”
He scoffed even as his cheeks flamed. “You’re a troublemaker.”
“I think you liked that about me.” My skin was on fire because this was coming dangerously close to flirting.
He lifted his chin. “Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.”
I gritted my teeth, unsatisfied with that answer. “Admit it, it was fun making Brett jealous.”
“I plead the Fifth,” he said, but his eyes were filled with a fire that made my knees weak.
I swallowed thickly. “You know Brett contacted Kendall, right? Something about show tickets, but really, it was a fishing expedition.” I’d been so busy preparing for my parents’ trip this past week that I’d nearly forgotten about that phone call.
He nodded. “Kendall informed me. He likely realizes by now it was all a ploy to piss him off. He’s not that thick. But keeping him on his toes, even for a bit, I’ll admit that felt…satisfying.”
“Or maybe we try harder to make it look real.” I covered my mouth with my hand. Fuck, why did I say that? “Just messing with you.”
He stared at me, his eyes wide and assessing. “It might’ve been fun, as you say, but it certainly wasn’t a good idea, considering I’m your boss.”
“Clearly.” I rolled my eyes. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.”