Page 14 of To the Chase

“Today’s your day.” I reached into my box and plucked one out. “Here yougo.”

He grabbed it fast, like there was a chance it would disappear. “Thank you. These went fast last week. There were only a few crumbs left after the meeting…”

He trailed off, sheepish, while inside, I was running rings around him, raising my hands in victory. I kept my cool, though. I knew I’d won him over. There was no need to be smug.

“They’re my partner’s recipe. I’ll let Daisy know you love them.” I bumped him with my elbow. “If you’re nice, I’ll even set one aside for you next week.”

“I’ll make sure to always be extra nice.” Paul clutched his muffin to his chest. “You’re the best, Bea.”

I fluttered my lashes. “I’ve heard that before.”

He took a small bite and hummed. “Often, I assume.”

A throat cleared—Tore reminding us he was in the room. Not that I’d forgotten. His presence was spiky and hot, almost tangible.

Tore leveled Paul with a flat look. “Don’t you have other things to do? The caterer is busy.”

Poor Paul turned so red, I worried for his blood pressure. “Yes, of course. I’ll just…get out of your way.” He lifted his muffin. “Until next week, Bea.”

“See ya, Paul,” I called to his retreating back.

After a beat of silence, Tore asked, “Is there a muffin for me as well?”

I laughed under my breath. “Technically, they’re all yours. You’re the one footing the bill, after all.”

He cocked his head, rubbing that damn cleft again. “Youdoknow who I am. I wondered…”

Slamming the last charcuterie cup down, I sucked in a deep breath, taking a moment to calm my thrashing heart. I’d been sort of hoping we’d skip this part, but here it was.

“Of course I do.” I wiped my hands down my sides. “You’re Tore Gallo, the CEO of Nox Cyber.”

He nodded. “And you’re Bea Novak, co-owner of Grazing by Daisy and Bea, and…waitress?”

When we’d last met, I’d been considering partnering with Daisy. Since then, a lot had happened, including Daisy moving to California with her husband, Miles, leaving Denver fully to me. Tore could only know I co-owned my business if he’d looked me up.

Not knowing how to feel about that, I set it aside for later.

“That’s right. You summed me up.”

“I very much doubt that.” Unfolding from his chair, he moved toward me, somewhat stiffly, stuffing his hands into his trouser pockets. “Can I take you out, Bea?”

What the what?

I shook my head, sending my curls bouncing. “No, you can’t.”

The fact that he’d thoughtthatwas the question to ask me, or that I’d possibly say yes, was mind-boggling. I hadn’t thought him to be audacious. Then again, I didn’t really know him.

His head jerked slightly, and the tips of his ears burned red hot. “Why not?”

I straightened my spine, making myself as tall as possible. “Because I’m not baseball. In my world, one strike and you’re out. Considering you’ve had two strikes, well—”

“Two?” His brow dropped low. “I concede to one, but two?”

I made a peace sign. “Two.”

That was all he would get from me. My boundaries were solid for a reason, and I didn’t feel the need to explain them…just as he hadn’t offered an explanation for disappearing after the best night of my life two years ago. In fact, it was pretty much bullshit hehadremembered me but pretended not to.

Giving him my back, I packed up my things while he just…stood there. Anyone else would have given me space, but not him. Maybe it was the CEO in him, taking what he wanted. It was also possible he didn’t realize just how close he was—that he should have backed away, giving me room to breathe.