Page 26 of Beyond Question

“Okay, um…” She reaches for the drink, then her eyes widen slowly. “Oh.” Her lips sink downward into a frown. “Were you stood up?”

My mouth drops open, becausein what world?but then I push the momentary transgression aside and lie. “Sure. Exactly. Just keep the drink. Thank you.”

When I return to the table, my gaze falls on a leggy brunette near the host stand. On the back of her left leg, down by her ankle, is a tiny tattoo of an open book, with butterflies drifting up her calf from between the pages.

Shit.

I know those legs.Well, in fact.

She swivels toward me as she scans the patrons in the bar, then quickly does a double take and recognition brightens her blue eyes. She says something to the hostess, then her lips curl into a broad smile as she starts heading my way.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. This is all I need. Bronte is a stunning woman, with curves for days and a penchant for wild, no-strings-attached sex. She’s also at least ten years younger than me and, to anyone who doesn’t know her, anyone who hasn’t spoken with her and experienced her whip smart mind, she looks like exactly the kind of hot, young empty-headed socialite Paige Matthews probably thinks I normally date.No offense to Elsa.

Bronte showing up when I’m trying to prove to Paige why we’re perfect for one another feels like the second nail in tonight’s coffin. Maybe I should have just pounded that glass of wine I ordered for Paige; I have a feeling the universe is going to fuck with me tonight and I’ll need all the liquid bravado I can get.

“Travis,” Bronte says as she approaches. “This is a surprise.”

“Hey, Bronte, how are you?” I lean forward and give her a quick hug, then a chaste kiss on each cheek.

“I’m good, Travis, and you?”

“Never been better.”

“So I’ve heard. You’ve been all over the news lately, that whole Reed Enterprises thing. Congratulations.”

I incline my head. “Thank you.”

“I never pictured you as someone who wanted to run something like that, but I imagine turning down such an opportunity—”

“It wasn’t that far off from the CFO position at Reed Publishing—”

My words trail off when she raises one eyebrow in condescension.

“Right. Because being CFO of a publishing house isn’t all that different from co-managing an empire like Reed Enterprises.” She chuckles. “I don’t remember you being quite so delusional.”

“I prefer humble.”

She laughs and I smile, glancing at the door. I don’t want to be rude, but she can’t be standing here when Paige arrives.

“Meeting someone?” she asks, drawing my eyes back to hers.

“Yes, actually. You?”

Bronte nods as she looks at her watch, then back at the door. “He’s late, though. I should have expected as much.” With a frown, she turns back to me. “Are you meeting friends, or…” As her words trail off her eyes light up and her intention is clear.

But that no-strings-attached sex I mentioned earlier? It’s off the table.

“I’m on a date,” I admit, strangely loving the sound of that.

Bronte’s eyebrows rise. “Wow. I’m… surprised.”

I chuckle softly. “Yeah, me too, honestly.”

“Who’s the lucky girl?”

I open my mouth to tell Bronte about Paige, but then the front door opens, and she steps inside, stealing all the air from the room as she does so. My mind goes blank as I drink her in.

“Travis?”