Page 138 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

"I absolutely did.If they're going to dramatize our love story with unauthorized musical numbers, the least we can do is critique their accuracy."

"Next you'll tell me you've agreed to that reality show about living with viral fame."

"Well, about that..."

"Karina…”

“Oh come on.I’m kidding," I assure him as we walk toward his office, trailed at a discreet distance by Alana."They did offer an obscene amount of money."

"Which we'll decline," he says.“Some things should remain private."

"Says the man who just announced our relationship status to the entire tech press corps."

"A calculated risk," he argues."It prevents speculation and establishes boundaries."

"Very billionaire founder of you."I nudge his shoulder."But also surprisingly romantic."

His expression softens as we reach his office door."I'm learning to balance both sides.The strategic and the emotional.The professional and the personal."He raises my hand to his lips in a gesture that sends warmth cascading through me."Thanks to you."

"Ditto," I whisper, still amazed by how far we've both come.

Alana clears her throat behind us."Sorry to interrupt, but Connor's on the phone demanding to know why he wasn't informed about your 'relationship status announcement' beforehand so Ariana could 'prepare the appropriate social media response strategy.'"

Callum's deadpan expression is perfect."Tell him I'm currently workshopping hashtags with Ms.Peters and cannot be disturbed."

"I'll phrase it more professionally," Alana promises with a barely suppressed smile.

As she leaves, Callum pulls me into his office and closes the door, finally giving us a moment of privacy in the midst of this very public day.

"So," he says, gently tugging me closer."About those hashtags..."

"I was thinking #AuthenticAlways has a nice ring to it," I suggest, winding my arms around his neck.

"Too corporate."He brushes his lips against mine."#KiltedForKeeps?"

"Too cheesy."I smile against his mouth."We'll workshop it."

"Indeed," he agrees, kissing me properly."We have all the time in the world."

32

KILTY PLEASURES

CALLUM

October arrives in Seattle with theatrical timing.

Crisp evenings, spectacular foliage, and the satisfying sense of calm that autumn brings.

If only that calm applied to my own life right now…

"You've arranged the seating chart three times," Connor tells me as he helps me set up the private dining room at Canlis, Seattle's most prestigious restaurant."I've seen less meticulous planning for nuclear disarmament treaties."

"Strategic arrangement is crucial," I defend, adjusting a place card."Fiona next to Nadine encourages continued matchmaking collusion.Dr.Finnegan between Karina's sisters prevents Viktoria from interrogating Luke about cybersecurity protocols.You and Ariana by Grayson and Roz to balance the couples."

"And the empty chair beside Karina?"Connor asks innocently.

"For me, obviously."