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“She's not an ice queen,” I defend automatically. “She's professional.”
“Sure, that’s what it is.” He stands, smoothing his jacket. “I'll enjoy melting that particular glacier.”
Caleb shoots me a look that saysthis is going to be a disaster.“Maybe we should discuss parameters?—”
“Relax, counselor. I'll behave.” Dominic's eyes gleam. “Mostly.”
Dominic heads for the door, pausing to clap me on theshoulder. “I'll coordinate with Jenna first thing tomorrow. See if she's as unflappable as you claim.”
“She is,” I assure him.
His grin widens. “I've never met a woman who couldn't be charmed. Eventually.”
“Good luck with that,” Caleb mutters as Dominic disappears down the hallway. “Drink to celebrate our survival?”
“Not tonight.” I'm already gathering my things, checking my watch again “I need to review the Nakamura numbers before tomorrow's call.”
It's not entirely a lie. I do need to review those numbers. But that's not why I'm rushing out.
“All right,” he says, clearly too tired to question me further. “Good work today.”
But as I reach the door, Caleb's voice stops me.
“Bennett.”
I turn. He's watching me with the same expression he wore when I wanted to buy a yacht at twenty-six. Patient but firm, like he's talking me down from a ledge I don't realize I'm on.
“This thing with Layla Carmichael. Whatever's happening between you two.” He pauses. “Just... be careful. I've never seen you like this.”
“Like what?”
“Distracted. This kind of thing wouldn’t have gotten past you a month ago.”
My jaw locks. I hate that he's right almost as much as I hate that he can read me this easily. “It's under control.”
“Listen, I like Layla. And as your closest friend, I want to see you happy.”
“But?”
The words hit like a physical blow. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“It means that up until now, I haven’t been taking this seriously. I figured you two would bang, you’d get her out of your system, she’d realize what an ass you are, and you’d have moved on to barely tolerating each other by Phase Two. But after today...” He stands, straightening his jacket. “The Nakamura fraud should have been caught weeks ago. You know that.”
I do know that. Which makes it worse.
“So what do you want me to do—cut her off?”
“Step back from the Carmichael integration. Let Vicky handle everything while you get your head on straight.” His voice softens slightly. “Take a vacation. Go somewhere tropical. Find a willing woman who doesn't work for a company you're acquiring.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then at least maintain some distance. No more private meetings. No more personal document deliveries.” He moves toward the door. “Let Vicky take point on Carmichael. You focus on what you do best—running this company without emotional complications.”
He leaves before I can argue further. I stand there for a long moment, staring at the closed door.
He's right. About all of it. The missed details. The distraction. The way I've been making decisions with something other than logic.
I should call it off. Cancel tonight. Let Vicky handle the prototype review like a rational CEO would.