Page 25 of Kiss and Tell

“No,” I shot back.

“Because that blouse does nothing for me,” he continued, “but the pencil skirt is giving me all sorts of inappropriate thoughts.”

“So you are aware they’re inappropriate.” I held my drink in front of me like a shield. “We’re working together. You’re my client. That’s all.”

“Didn’t you say you’re mixing business with pleasure tonight?” he said smoothly.

“Not in that way,” I said. “So you can stop with the flirting and the innuendo and all those small little touches.”

“You really want me to cut it out?” He went serious, his tone oddly solemn as he sat straight up.

“Yes,” I said, although even I could hear the waver in my voice.

He nodded once, slowly. “All right.”

I stared at him.

“That’s it?” I said. “Just, all right?”

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he said.

“Oh.” I stared into my now empty drink and gave the last bits of ice a swirl. “Well, thank you.”

We sat quietly across from each other.

“So where to next?” Connor said, breaking the silence.

I pulled out my list. “Some place called Hurricane.”

“Sounds like tonight’s going to be a whirlwind,” Connor said, straight-faced.

“Are you going to replace the flirting with terrible jokes?” I asked.

“You’ve got to let me have something,” he said.

I stifled a laugh despite myself.

Nothing could ever happen between Connor and I. There were too many professional boundaries I wouldn’t dare cross.

But that didn’t mean we couldn’t be friends. Right?

Just friends.

Eight

Loud music poundingthrough speakers positioned in every corner assaulted my ears. Strobe lights shining from every direction blinded me. A pointy heel stamped down on my toe, making me yelp.

“You okay?” I heard Connor shout over the din of the crowd, although there were too many bodies between us for me to spot him.

“Someone stepped on me!” I called back, indignant.

Unlike the literary bar, this club-like lounge called Hurricane was crammed with people.

A hand snaked through the anonymous bodies and found my arm. Connor gently guided me until I was back next to him. We’d gotten separated within moments of stepping through the doors.

I should have scolded him for putting his hands on me so soon after I’d told him off for doing exactly that, but I could only be grateful. There were way too many people in this place. It had to be a fire hazard.

I clung to Connor’s side to keep from being separated again, afraid that I’d never be able to find him in this throng of people.