Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Antonio lifts his head with a wide grin. “Best in town, Noah. Tell your friends.”
“Will do.” The smile on Noah’s face reminds me of that night on the beach. That smile tempts me to sit down and eat the salad with him. What can I say? It’s a really great smile.
And that would be my cue to go. Taking a step toward the door again, I thumb over my shoulder. “I have hours of work left to finish before the end of the day.” I hold the container up. “Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome.” He stands, crumpling the sandwich paper and holding his drink to take a sip. “I need to get back as well.”
Flashes of the gossip that would be created populate my brain. That’s not a situation I want to be in—us walking in together would just stir the already swirling pot, making us the hot new topic. “See you later.” I rush out the door, not sure why I even hung around in the first place. I must be delirious. Clearly, I need food to cure me.
I hear the door chime behind me but keep my gaze ahead while walking. Unfortunately, I’m caught at the crosswalk and start admonishing myself for lingering at the deli. I could have been long gone, but instead . . . I’m stuck next to him.
Do I make small talk? No. Don’t even look at him. Keep your eyes forward, Liv.
“Hello again,” Noah says from beside me.
“Hi,” I reply, gazing at the crosswalk sign ahead.
I see him rock back on his heels in my periphery, and then he comments, “This game would be easier to play if I understood your rigid rules.”
My mouth falls open before I snap, “My rigid rules? Uh, no. I’m not taking the fall in your mind or otherwise. Asking to keep things professional isn’t being rigid.”
“You told me to quit in the best interest of the company. You’re playing a game, Ms. Bancroft. I’m just simply asking for the rules to get a fair chance—”
“To win?” I turn to him, and my head falls back from the epic eye roll he’s caused. Leveling my gaze on him, I ask, “Is that all you care about, Mr. Westcott?”
“You have made assumption after assumption about me since we saw each other in the conference room. I have no idea why you seem to have it out for me, so I thought it only fair to at least know the rules by which we’re playing.”
“Is everything a lighthearted game to you?” I shake my head. “It’s not to me.” Shoving the salad against his chest, I say, “I’d rather go hungry.”
The crosswalk changes from stop to go, so I go. There’s no point having a conversation in the middle of Manhattan for the whole world to hear. Because if there’s one thing I know, I’m not a fool for his Mr. Nice Guy act.
“You’re embarrassed because we’ve slept together. I get it.”
I turn back so fast that I wobble on a heel. “I’m not embarrassed.”
“Then what is it?”
“You. You existing, Noah, here in my world.”
A horn causes me to jump, stumbling into his arms. I look up into those eyes that are even better when in proximity, the feel of his strong arms holding me in safety—Oh God, no! I don’t think so. Not today. Not ever!
My breathing slows as I push away, our gazes unlatching as I turn to move from the entrance to the alley to the sidewalk again. I head for the doors, having no interest in discussing this with him or talking about anything with him. The enemy, I remind myself. He’s the man who can take Maxwell from me.
“You’re mad at me for existing?” The door is pulled open as soon as I reach it. Ugh. He wouldn’t be so quick on his feet if he had to wear heels like me.
I enter the lobby, walking and talking. “You’re welcome to exist, but why must it be in my space?” I flash my badge at the guard and head to the bank of elevators.
“I didn’t know you worked at Bancroft & Lowe. I also had no idea you were a Bancroft before showing up yesterday. How would I? First names only. No strings attached. Remember, Liv? That was the deal we made.”
Stopping for what feels like the hundredth time in the span of three minutes, I turn to him again. I’m glad the lobby is practically empty. I wouldn’t want witnesses. “What did you mean when you said you get it? What do you get?”
“I get that you never expected to see me again.” He’s not wrong. He leans in, but he’s smooth enough to keep it slight enough for no one else to notice. “But here I am, sweetheart, so you’ll need to learn to live with it. I have no intention of quitting.”