Page 88 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

Instead, I feel a treacherous warmth spreading through me.I only wish the warmth weren’t collecting between my thighs.

I take a long breath, exhaling.“Okay, fine.But don't say I didn't warn you."

As we walk back to his office, I try to focus on practical concerns.

What to wear.Whether to bring wine.How to prevent Susanna from sharing embarrassing childhood stories.

Anything to distract from the nagging voice reminding me that tonight, the man I'm sorta kinda sleeping with will be breaking bread with the family who knows all my secrets…

Including the one that could destroy everything.

20

GRANDMOTHER'S GAMBIT

CALLUM

"You did what?"

Fiona's voice, crackling through my phone at 4:30 PM on a Thursday afternoon, manages to convey both delight and judgment in just three syllables.

It's a skill she's perfected over eight decades of Scottish matriarchy.

"I accepted a dinner invitation," I repeat, sniffing soundly as July sunlight streams through my office windows."From Karina's mother.For tonight."

"Without checking your calendar first?That's unlike you."I can hear her shuffling around my penthouse, likely rearranging my furniture into what she considers more "matrimonially conducive" positions."You have the quarterly projections review tonight."

Bloody hell.She's right.

"I'll reschedule the review," I say, already mentally composing the apologetic email to the finance team.

"No need.You'll simply have to cancel dinner with the Petrosians."

“The Peters,” I remind her.“And I can't cancel.It would be rude."

"Since when do you care about rudeness over business obligations?"There's a smile in her voice now."Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless this dinner is more important to you than you're letting on."

I say nothing, which is always a mistake with Fiona Abernathy.Silence is just an invitation for her to fill in her own answers.

"I see," she says triumphantly."Well, there's only one solution."

"I'm afraid to ask."

"We'll host them here instead!I'll call Mrs.Peters and explain the situation."

Alarm bells ring in my head."Absolutely not."

"It makes perfect sense.You have the quarterly review.I have a perfectly good penthouse going to waste.And this way, you can pop up when you're finished for dessert."

"Gran—"

"Plus, it gives me a chance to meet the family of the woman who's captured my grandson's attention.Everybody wins."

I close my eyes, envisioning the chaos that would ensue from Fiona Abernathy hosting the Peters family without supervision."This is a terrible idea."