“So, how are things going with you two?”

Gigi was bent over, rooting around in a cabinet for a saucepan, when Quinn spoke. “What do you mean?” she asked, opting not to turn around so that Quinn wouldn’t see the guilt on her face.

“Just, you know, how are you getting on? Does he like having someone cook for him? Is he leaving his dirty socks everywhere? I warned him to be on his best behavior.”

Gigi and Beau had picked up the others that morning at their hotel in New York. She’d managed to avoid Beau for most of the day by taking a tour of Times Square then doing some produce shopping, but there was no avoiding Quinn, who had insisted on keeping her company while she cooked.

She took a long, calming breath. “Oh yeah, he’s been great.” She found the pan she needed and stood to face her boss. “He’s my favorite kind of guy to feed. Love a man who appreciates a good meal.”

Quinn’s sharp gaze drilled into her and she fought the urge to look away.

“He said he thinks you’re great. Feels really comfortable around you already, like you’ve known each other a long time.”

“He’s so open and friendly. Hard not to like him, you know?” “I do know. What I don’t know is how much you like him.”

Gigi’s pulse pounded, blood rushing to the tips of her ears. Her “poker face” had always been more of a “go-fish face” and Quinn chuckled.

Busted.

Gigi tried to make light of it. “Of course, he’s a handsome guy, but you already knew that. He’s also charismatic, and it’s hard not to notice. Don’t worry though,” she assured her, “it won’t get in the way of my work. I would never get involved with a client that way, even if he did feel the same about me. Which he doesn’t. But even if he did, I wouldn’t—” She bit her lip to stop the babbling.

Quinn’s face fell. “Wait, what do you mean? You can’t date a client?”

“I can, I guess,” she explained. “It just seems like bad business to do it in a situation like this, especially during the job. I’m here to work. I want to do a good job for you.”

“It’s your life. I’m totally fine with you dating or whatever you want to do with your free time, Gigi. You’re here to cook one good meal a day for us. The rest of the time is your own. We agreed on that from the get-go. Beau is a great guy, and I liked you from the second I saw you at the fundraiser. I think you’d be…good for him. Not only that, technically speaking, I’m your client, not Beau.” Quinn held out her little finger. “And I pinky swear not to try and get in your pants. At least until this is all over.”

Gigi let out a snort of laughter and slumped into the chair next to Quinn. She was relieved the other woman wasn’t mad at her, but it was also embarrassing to be caught lusting after someone who was so obviously out of her league. “Do you think he knows I have a crush on him?”

“He didn’t mention it, but he pretty much assumes everyone does, so probably,” Quinn said with a grin that slipped away as fast as it came. “I kid around a lot, but seriously, deep down Beau is one of the most sensitive, sweetest guys I know. I think even the confidence is part of a persona. It’s like a shield in a way. He’s had to keep it up for a long time now. He’s been playing music for a living since he was seventeen. It’s tough sometimes because you never know who’s around for the right reasons.”

Gigi nodded. She’d never thought of it that way.

“I’ll tell you this though,” Quinn continued, “when he finally finds the woman he loves, watch out. He is going to love her hard, like no other.”

Quinn’s dark gaze met hers, unflinchingly.

“Quinn, I’m not looking for love. I’m trying to start a business. Besides, he doesn’t have any interest in—”

“I know what you think, and I know what I know. You are exactly the right kind of girl for Beau. And you don’t have to decide anything long-term now. Just test the waters, you know? Have you thought about making a move?”

“Only, like, every waking moment. Then I think of the beautiful women he’s probably been with and that brings me back down to earth. I can’t compete.”

“The groupies that follow him around? They’re like fireflies. Beautiful at night, but in the harsh light of day, they’re just another fucking bug. He needs a woman with substance.”

“Is that a fat joke?”

Quinn’s eyes widened in horror. “Jesus, no, I—”

She held up a hand. “Kidding, totally kidding. I think I know what you mean. Basically, I’m supposed to win him over with my personality, right? I just don’t know that it’ll work. He’s still a red-blooded male.”

Quinn was already shaking her head in exasperation. “No, you got it all wrong. The personality is just part of it. He likes the way you look too. I saw him eyeballing you the day we hired you. You just have to make it a little harder for him to ignore.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“I’m going to help you.” Quinn eyed her up and down and gave her a wicked grin as she rubbed her hands together.

“I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. I’m the best project manager in the world and you’re my new project. We’re going shopping, and you’re coming to the show tonight. I’ll get you front row. This is going to be so much fun!”

Gigi tried not to get swept up in Quinn’s enthusiasm, but already her heart had started thumping faster. She’d spent her whole life working for one thing. Over the next year or two, she had nothing to look forward to but more of the same. She was trying to get a business off the ground and fussing around with men wasn’t going to get her where she needed to be.

But for the remainder of this trip, things would be different. There would be no fifteen-hour days. This was as close to a vacation as she’d ever had. Not only that, she also had Quinn’s blessing. Maybe it was time to let loose and live a little. Just this once, then straight back to the grindstone.

A warm, syrupy feeling settled in her stomach as she thought about Beau. He’d definitely flirted with her over the past couple days, but that didn’t mean anything to a guy like him. Still, if she promised him no-strings-attached fun, would he sleep with her?

She thought back to the feel of those strong, slow hands as he’d massaged her neck and hip, then shivered. It would be good between them, she felt it deep in her bones. Then, when it was over, her curiosity would be satisfied and she’d able to focus on her career more fully. Have sex with Beau so she could stop thinking and wondering about sex with Beau. Now she just had to convince him.

“Okay, I’m in.”

Six hours later, Gigi stood in line with her ticket and backstage pass. She was trembling from head to elegantly clad foot. God, she must have been out of her frigging mind to let Quinn talk her into this. She looked really stupid and felt even stupider. The G-string underwear rode a solid inch up her butt crack, her shoes were deathtraps strapped to her feet and the dress clung to her like hollandaise on asparagus. She would’ve complained about the bra too, but she wasn’t wearing one. Quinn had said it would ruin the line of her new halter dress.

She cringed and quelled the urge to run. She was not going to chicken out. Her mission wasn’t complete, and besides, if she ran in these heels she’d break her face.

The line moved quickly and a few minutes later she handed her ticket to the usher. His gaze swept over her and he smiled. She worked up a trembling smile in return. Okay, maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

He leaned close and whispered, “Your skirt is tucked into your underwear.”

Of course it is.

She righted herself with a few tugs and scurried through the double doors, anxious to fade into the crowd. The music was in full swing and as she entered the second set of doors, the sound of Beau’s violin rang out. She grinned instantly, charmed by the lilting ditty he was playing. Quinn and Rex harmonized, singing about the cure for a hangover being more of the same. They all gelled so well, and Gigi realized with a start that it wouldn’t take much for her to become a real fan.

She purposely kept her eyes averted from the stage as she trekked down the dark aisle, flashing her ticket to security then making her way to the front of the crowd. If she caught sight of Beau, or vice versa, before she sat down, she might chicken out and keep walking.

The song wound down as she found her seat and laid her purse on it. The crowd around her erupted into wild applause and she looked up at the band. Beau’s face was alight with pure joy and she just stared for a moment.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to give a quick shout-out to the best chef east of the Mississippi, Ms. Gigi Somerville. She’s on tour with us, so give her a warm welcome, won’t you?”

Quinn motioned for her to wave and take a bow, but she was frozen in place.

All the moisture in her mouth evaporated as panic gripped her. She tried to smile, but it just wouldn’t come. Until she shifted her gaze to Beau.

His eyes locked with hers, and the shock and heat pouring out of him melted away the icy terror.