Page 47 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess

“You must be starving,” she says as she comes closer. She spreads out the food: classic American stuff—burgers, fries, donuts, and sandwiches.

“Oh, wow,” I marvel at the spread, laughing. Pretty much the opposite of what I usually eat.

“I figured since you miss the States so much you’d appreciate this.”

She looks so excited I can’t really say no.

“But you’ll eat something too, right?”

“Of course!” she says brightly, glancing around. “Eat over there?”

“Sure.” The table’s pretty low, but it’ll do. We sit down. It’s okay to indulge once in a while

“Are you seeing anyone?” she asks as I pick up a burger. At least it’s stacked with plenty of meat.

“You mean a woman? No, not right now. I wanted to settle into London first.”

Okay, let’s taste this. Oh yeah—it’s good. Lots of onions, juicy meat, fresh tomato, crisp lettuce. I haven’t had anything like this in ages.

“Sometimes the good things are right within reach,” she says, raising her eyebrows.

“Are you trying to set me up with London?”

“What?” she asks, irritated.

“My father already wanted me to go out with her.”

“And you don’t want to?”

“No, she’s my… well, she’ll soon be my PA, and that’s how it should stay. It wouldn’t be good.” I look at her and add, “Besides, you said she’s not into me.”

“So, you would go out with her if she was?”

“No. I wouldn’t.”

“Oh, good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. That really only causes trouble,” she says firmly.

“True.”

“So, what’s your dream woman like? I mean, take me as an example—you never asked me out either.”

I can’t help laughing. “That’s because you’re like a little sister to me.” Still, it’s a good question. “Honestly, I don’t think I’m made for relationships. Any woman’s better off only spending one night with me—nothing more. I don’t want to break anyone’s heart.”

“Being an eternal bachelor isn’t exactly ideal either, huh?”

“I just haven’t met the right one yet.” And I really shouldn’t even be thinking about London. I need to shut down those little fantasies as fast as possible.

“What if you already have?” My ears perk up while Stephanie only nibbles on some fries.

“What do you mean?”

“I knew Marc for years before I gave him a chance, and now…” She trails off. “What if there’s a woman in your life you just don’t notice?”

“Then fate probably doesn’t want us together.”