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As they emerged from the study and rejoined the ladies, Sebastian thought of Genevieve again. If she could get to know him as a regular guy, then maybe finding out he had billions of dollars wouldn’t make a difference to her, because she’d know and love him for who he was.
That had been his initial thought when he’d started all this, and Dad’s words had taken away the doubt and solidified it for him. Although, if Dad knew what he’d done, he surely would’ve tried to talk him out of it.
But he was in it now.
Sky was popping a truffle into her mouth when they entered the kitchen. She picked up another and tossed it at him. “Think fast!”
He grabbed it with lightning reflexes and tossed it into his mouth, cracking the chocolate coating with his teeth, letting the smooth center melt on his tongue. “So good.”
After an evening of laughter, good conversation, and plenty of reminiscing about Granny Schultz, Sebastian and Skylar said goodnight to their parents and walked out together.
“So, you’re really going through with all this Kurtis business?” Sky asked as they stopped by her car.
“Please don’t give me a hard time about this. I just want her to know me when she thinks I don’t have a penny to my name.” He thought of what his dad had told him earlier.
Skylar patted his arm. “Well, let’s hope she still likes you when she finds out you have a lot of pennies.”
TEN
No matter how much slow, meditative breathing Genevieve did, her excitement could not be controlled. She’d settled into her office and attempted to work, all the while knowing that at eleven o’clock, Kurtis would be meeting her for their trip to the yacht club. She rubbed her hands down her pencil skirt, not quite believing her palms were actually sweating. Had she ever been this anxious to see a guy before? She couldn’t remember ever reacting this way.
After one too many cups of coffee, she was more jittery than when she’d arrived. She needed to remain professional. He was a coworker. An acquaintance, really. They barely knew each other. And though she thought he was a very handsome man and felt something more than just attraction for him, she didn’t believe in the whole love at first sight thing. She couldn’t possibly fall in love with a man after knowing him for a day. Could she?
At eleven on the nose, her office phone rang, and she nearly jumped out of her chair.
“Genevieve Willis,” she answered.
“Hey, it’s, uh … Kurtis. I’m downstairs whenever you’re ready.”
“I’ll be right there.” He’d stumbled a little when he spoke. Could he be nervous to see her too?
They hung up, and she grabbed her things and was on her way. As she walked through the lobby, she could see him standing out front, looking around and waiting. He looked heartachingly good standing there in a pale blue button-down shirt and light khaki chinos.
His face lit up when she pushed through the front door. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She tried not to grin like the Cheshire cat at him.
“Is it okay if we take your car?” he asked. “Mine’s in the shop.”
“Sure. What’s wrong with it?” she asked as they walked to her car.
His eyebrows pinched together momentarily. “Brakes needed replaced.”
“That probably set you back a pretty penny.”
“Yeah.” As they arrived at her car, he hustled ahead of her and opened the driver side door.
“Thank you.” She loved that he was such a gentleman.
Kurtis moved to the other side and climbed in, putting on his seatbelt as she started the car. His eyes widened at the music playing on the radio. “Country music, huh?”
She looked at him curiously. “Not a fan?”
He chuckled. “Not particularly. Twang is not my thing.”
“Country music these days is much different than it used to be. It’s changed a lot, even in the past ten years. It’s much more modern, but with the same themes.”
“Women, drinking, and heartbreak?” He raised an eyebrow.