Page 50 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

"Of me or my friends?"

"Yes."

That earns me a low chuckle.The sound rolls through the car's interior, stirring something warm in my chest.

"They'll interrogate you," he warns.

"About?"

"Everything.They're protective."

"I can handle nosy billionaires," I assure him."I deal with board members for a living."

"You've never met Connor in inquisition mode.He once made a potential investor cry by asking about his childhood pets."

"An impressive talent."

"You have no idea."He shifts slightly in his seat, and I notice the subtle tartan in his pocket square—a nod to his heritage despite the formal black tie."They've been particularly vigilant since Richard's...departure."

"Checking for more embezzlers in the ranks?"

"Checking for more people who would leave a knife sticking out my back,” he suggests quietly.

The candid admission makes my mouth go dry."I didn't realize his betrayal affected you that deeply."

Callum looks out the window, his profile sharp against the passing lights."Family is complicated."

"You don't need to tell me that."I hesitate, then ask the question that's been nagging at me."Why did you never marry?"

His gaze snaps back to mine, startled."That's direct."

"I've never been accused of subtlety."

For a moment, I think he won't answer.Then, "I had a brief marriage in my twenties.It ended badly.After that, there seemed little point in trying again when the company required my full attention."

"And now?"

"Now I'm too old for social media nonsense, with a viral hashtag and a grandmother determined to see me wed before she dies."

"Poor Fiona," I say with mock gravity."Wrestling with mortality while you resist matrimony."

"She's eighty-eight and has more energy than most Olympic athletes.I suspect she'll outlive us all."

"Still," I press, "there must have been someone since your twenties."

He studies me intently."Why are you so interested in my romantic history, Ms.Peters?"

"Professional curiosity," I manage."Understanding the full personal context of the hashtag situation."

"Is that so?"His voice drops lower, and he leans forward slightly."And does your professional curiosity extend to Saturday night?"

My pulse quickens."I'm still analyzing that data point."

"Any preliminary findings?"

I wet my lips, hyperaware of how his gaze tracks the movement."Inconclusive.May require further testing."

The air between us charges with potential energy.He shifts closer, the leather seat creaking softly beneath him.