Page 95 of Forty, Flirty & Fall Inn

"Probably."

"Good."At my surprise, he shrugs."Someone should.God knows I've become too careful.Too calculated.Protect yourself long enough, you forget what you're protecting."

"That's unexpectedly philosophical."

"Divorce brings clarity.That and excellent lawyers."He stands."I should go.Early flight to check on the Singapore property.Callum, congratulations again.Gentlemen, a pleasure.Luke...good luck.You'll need it."

He leaves with the same don’t-give-a-fuck swagger he arrived with, and the table sits in silence for a moment.

"Well," Grayson finally says."He seems fun."

"He's been through hell," Callum defends."The divorce was...brutal.His ex took everything she could, including most of their friend group."

"And left him bitter enough to poison a pre-engagement drink or two,” Connor adds.

"Was he wrong though?"Alex asks quietly."About mixing business with personal?About desperation making people do things?"

Everyone looks at me.

"I need to call Sage," I say instead of answering."Ask her about the party."

"Smooth subject change," Connor observes.

"Shut up."

I step away from the table, finding a quiet corner of the bar.

She answers on the second ring.

"Did you find an exorcist?"Her voice is breathless, probably from chasing Buttercup.

"Fresh out.But I have a question."

"If it's about whether goats can be trained, the answer is theoretically yes but practically no."

"It's about Connor's engagement party.Saturday.Would you..."I pause, suddenly nervous."Would you come with me?"

"As your date?"

"As my...yes.Date.Actual date.Not business non-date."

"Oh."She's quiet for a moment."Are you sure?After the gala, I mean.Your world is very...shiny."

"I like you unshiny."

"That's not a word."

"I'm making it one.Sage Winters, queen of the unshiny, keeper of chaos goats, destroyer of coffee tables.Will you be my date?"

She laughs, bright and surprising."When you put it like that, how can I refuse?"

"Is that a yes?"

"That's a yes.But fair warning—I might have to borrow shoes again.Buttercup's developed a taste for leather."

"I'll buy you shoes."

"You can't keep buying me things."