Despite the chaos swirling in her head and her gut, she took a moment to drink him in. She hadn’t imagined those gorgeous, intense eyes or the wide set of his shoulders. He looked likeGQpersonified in his dark suit, lightly pin-striped tie. His hair was a little mussed from the wind and she had vivid images of mussing it another way.
She kept her voice even, holding his gaze as she set Maisie’s phone on the counter. “Mr.Grand.”
He winced. “You saw the articles?”
“Articles?” As in more than one?
“I showed her,” Maisie said with too much pride. She held out a hand, which Will shook as if this were a normal introduction. “I’m Maisie Smart. Her bestie and your worst nightmare if you hurt her. I’d ask your intentions but it seems a little late for that so why don’t you two kids tell me what’s going on.”
Lexi wanted to laugh and tell her best friend to shut up in the same breath. Her heart was beating dangerously fast. Hadn’t it just been cold in here?
Will’s lips twitched as he dropped Maisie’s hand and glanced at Lexi. “She’s good. We could use her on our contract team.”
Lexi picked up her drink, mostly to keep her hands busy. She wasn’t well practiced at playing it cool. “This is one hell of a way to get a second date.”
His cheeks flushed. “I’m so sorry.”
He was sorry? She’d sat down with him, roped him into her drama. It was her friend who’d posted the photo. Though he’d failed to mention a few key things about himself. Not that she’d asked. CFO.I’ll say.
Lexi set her drink down, inhaling slowly, purposefully, before exhaling. She moved around the counter. “I’m sure you can ask for a retraction.” Just a little mix-up. No harm, no foul. Not for her, anyway. For him, it probably didn’t look great to be linked to someone so… underwhelming.Who is this nobody?
“How did this happen?” Maisie asked, leaning against the front of the counter.
Lexi told her about the mix-up during introductions, the overeager redhead who’d needed a little diverting. Shit.
She looked at Will. “Wonder if our anonymous source was a certain redhead.”
Will’s lips tightened. “Carolyn. That was my guess too.”
“You do make an adorable couple,” Maisie said. “And as far as second dates go, getting engaged is unique.”
Lexi glared at her. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
She grinned back. “Hell no.”
Will stepped closer to Lexi, dipped his head to give them the illusion of privacy. “Can we talk? Please.”
“Will.” She made the mistake of inhaling. The scent of his cologne and fresh air went to her head, made her think about the kiss.
“Lexi. Let me take you to dinner tonight. We need to talk.”
“Wedding plans?” Maisie asked.
“I’m going to poison your latte, Maisie.” Lexi didn’t even turn around to threaten her friend, and she could see by his small smile that Will found it amusing. She liked the feel of his hand on hers too much so she pulled away. His proximity, his stare, and the way he smelled were all muddling her head.
“I don’t think we need to have dinner to get a retraction. If anything, that might fuel the fire.”
“Alexandria.” One word, that dark gaze rooting her to the spot and making her wish she could let herself fall down the rabbit hole of love that so many craved.
She felt her resolve crumbling like brittle leaves. “I can’t. My mom…”
“I’ll hang with Gwen tonight,” Maisie said. “I need to talk to her anyway.”
Lexi turned. “What do you need to talk to my mom about?”
Maisie lifted her drink in one hand, waving away Lexi’s concern with the other. “Gwen and I are friends. You two go out. Socializing two nights in a month is a new record for you.”
Will let out a small laugh. “Best friend, huh?”
