Page 26 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

"Wait till you see the dance video," Viktoria says, clicking another tab.

The screen fills with what appears to be a professional dance instruction video.

A kilted man and his partner demonstrate what the caption identifies as "The Abernathy Fling—inspired by Scotland's Most Eligible CEO."

I stare in mounting horror as the dancers perform an elaborate routine that somehow incorporates both traditional Scottish steps and suggestive hip movements that would make actual Scots collapse in apoplexy.

"Oh my god," I whisper.

"It gets better," Susanna says, barely containing her glee."They've started theorizing about his romantic interests."

Viktoria scrolls to a forum thread titled "Who Will Tame the Highland Beast?"The first post features a meticulously researched list of all women photographed with Callum at public events in the past year, with detailed pros and cons for each potential match.

And there, halfway down the list, is my name.

"Karina Peters," I read aloud, voice faint."Marketing Director.Pros: Professional equal, understands his world, spotted having 'intimate dinner' at his penthouse.Cons: Previously dated his brother (ew), may be too close to the situation."

"Intimate dinner?"Susanna repeats, eyebrows wiggling.

"His grandmother was there!”I cry out.“There was nothing intimate about it."

"The Internet disagrees," Viktoria hits back.“There's a whole thread dedicated to analyzing a photo someone took of you two entering work together.”

Sure enough, there's a grainy phone photo of Callum and me walking toward the Abernathy Corp building, him holding the door while I passed through.

From the angle, it does look unfortunately couple-like.

"This is a disaster," I groan, flopping backward onto the cushions.

"Is it?"Susanna asks."Because from where I'm sitting, it seems like you might be enjoying your time with ScottyMan McGorgeous."

"That's not his name."

"You're blushing," Viktoria observes.

"It's the wine."

"You've had half a glass," Susanna points out.

I drape an arm over my eyes."Nothing is happening between us.We're colleagues trying to solve a corporate crisis."

"Colleagues who spend four hours in private meetings and have 'intimate dinners,'" Viktoria says, making air quotes.

"You were at most of the meeting!You saw how professional it was."

"I saw how he looks at you when you're not watching," she replies calmly."And how you pretend not to notice."

My stomach does an uncomfortable flip."You're imagining things."

"Am I?"She closes the laptop."Kari, I've watched you put your personal life on hold for years.I get it.You were with Richard.Trying to climb the corporate ladder, etcetera, etcetera.But…” She raises a finger, “I’ve never seen you look at someone the way you looked at him tonight."

"Which was how, exactly?"I challenge.

"Like he's a puzzle you both dread and can't wait to solve."

Susanna shuffles closer, her face mask now flaking onto the cushions."Is he as intense in person as he seems in those photos?Because the jawline alone is giving me palpitations."

"We're not discussing his jawline," I mutter.