CHAPTER FIVE

Emma

By the time Trevor and Simon broke for lunch, I’d pulled myself together. I didn’t like surprises, but I’d adapt. So what? I’d met him at the gym yesterday after I’d made his sister cry. As far as first impressions went, it wasn’t my worst, I thought wryly. And so what if he was pretty to look at? I met plenty of men in this line of work who were easy on the eyes. But I made it a rule never to date a suit. Never. Ever.

“Emma, are the lunch reservations at Rios?” Simon asked as they walked out of his office. He’d sent me a quick message about an hour ago asking me to make them.

“Yes. They’re all set. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Newhall.”

I politely dismissed him, intending to have the office to myself during my lunch break. Perhaps I’d order those new shoes I’d been eying at Saks.

“Please call me Trevor, especially since we’ll be working together so closely over the next few weeks.”

Damn. He had a twinkle in his eye, knowing he’d backed me into a corner. Now I had to let him call me by my first name, so I wouldn’t look rude. He’d also effectively reminded me we’d be working side by side for the foreseeable future.

“Of course, and please call me Emma.” I hoped he wouldn’t, but I couldn’t avoid offering.

He grinned, the effect not dimming his hot factor.

“You want to join us for lunch, Emma?” Simon invited.

“Actually, I have other plans today.” Because he frowned, I amended, “But I’d love a raincheck.”

“Yes, I suppose there’s plenty of time for team lunches.”

I managed a small smile and gave Simon a look which said ‘do not, under any circumstances, make me go with you today.’ Luckily, he knew my ‘I’ll tell you later expression’ well enough to leave it alone. Besides, it wasn’t as though I’d been included in his initial plan for lunch. That had only supposed to include the two of them.

“Yes. Another time.”

“Oh, but before I go, I wanted to thank you.” Trevor’s smirk indicated he was up to something.

“Me?” What game was he playing?

“Yes, for checking on my sister yesterday at the gym. Especially after her awful first impression.”

Despite having absolutely no reason to be embarrassed, I could feel my neck heating. I hated him putting me on the spot in front of Simon. “Uh, happy to help.”

Now leave. Just go, and don’t say another bloody word.

“And the advice you gave her. Would you call that your ‘over-under strategy’?”

Getting over someone by getting under someone else. Bloody hell. She’d told him what I’d said? I didn’t have siblings, but I hadn’t expected her to confide something so sexual to her brother. “Yes, well, I suppose it’s more eloquent than other names I’ve heard.”

“I’ll be sure to tell her you said hello. In fact, she’s in town another few days if you want to get together. Just wait until she hears we’ll be working together.”

Shoot me. Shoot me now.

I threw a pleading look towards my boss, whose lips were twitching but who finally came to my rescue. “We’d better go before we’re late for the reservation. I’ll see you after lunch.”

Once they stepped into the lift, I expelled a relieved breath, grateful that ordeal was over.

***

“You met Trevor and his sister at the gym yesterday?”

I lifted my gaze from the computer to Simon’s incredulous eyes. After nearly two hours, he’d just walked back in from lunch. Thankfully, he was alone. “Not as though I knew who he was at the time I met them. She was crying, and I got caught up in it.”

“How?”

“Not important.” I certainly didn’t want to share I’d been the one to make her cry. Simon rolled his eyes, which amused me. It was such an immature action for a man who was always in control.

“Is there anything else I should be made aware of about yesterday and the two of you meeting?”

I didn’t appreciate his hinted implication. “First off, you know I don’t date suits. Secondly, I spent more time with his kid sister than I did with him.”

Simon appeared relieved. “Fair enough.”

“Peyton called, by the way. Wanted me to pass on she’s making spaghetti tonight.”

His face got all wistful. Now, there was a word. Evidently, love could make you weirdly wistful. Although I had no intention of ever uttering the L-word to a living person—it was reserved for my wine, chocolate, and shoes—I was happy Simon had found it. He’d certainly met his match in Peyton, and she brought out a good side in him.

“She made me spaghetti when we were first figuring things out. If I talk about work, she takes away my garlic bread or worse—my fork.”

That was pretty fucking adorable, I had to admit. Even for someone jaded like me. “That’s sweet. So how did everything go with Trevor? You think he’ll work out?”

I was torn about whether I wanted it to or not. If he was successful, it would mean I could get back to traveling the globe. But the thought of having to do that traveling with Trevor and spend long hours with him made my stomach flip in an unfamiliar way.

“I honestly do. Whether it’s wishful thinking or not, I can’t be certain yet. But he’s easy to get along with, has a good head on his shoulders, and isn’t afraid to learn. All qualities I’d hoped for.”

“When is he returning?”

“Tomorrow. He’ll be using the extra office, and I’ll block out most of my time, especially this week, to walk him through some of our last deals. In the meantime, I’ll get you the dates for our trip to New York. We’ll take the jet since it’ll be the three of us. I’ll stay at my flat, so you only need to book a hotel for you and Trevor.”

“Sounds good.” I was brilliant at coordinating travel details, having perfected the art over the years. But the thought of having Trevor with me in the same hotel was unsettling.

 “By the way, Peyton wanted me to invite you over for a barbeque on Saturday? Something casual with a few friends over at the house.”

The house he spoke of was a cute little ranch-style home Peyton had owned before they’d met. It had a big backyard designed for entertaining. Since coming to Dallas, I didn’t normally have plans over the weekend. “Sure. I’ll bring wine.”

He smiled. “I think she’s counting on it. And I have a favor to ask.”

Damn. This was a heavy Monday, between the talk about my staying in Dallas, the shock of Trevor, and now my boss asking favors. I didn’t often see Simon look uncomfortable, which meant it was something personal. “What’s that?”

“When we go to New York, I was hoping you could help me pick out a ring.”

My eyes got big, and although I wouldn’t consider myself a girl who squealed, I let one out anyhow. Then I got up and gave my boss and friend of the last seven years a big hug. “You’re proposing. That’s brilliant.”

He turned beet red, either because of my reaction or the uncharacteristic physical contact. Simon and I had a sibling-like affection for one another, but we seldom showed it, only on rare occasions such as this.

“You have to keep the secret from Peyton.”

I scoffed. “Please, if there is one thing I’m good at, it’s that.” Hell, there were secrets about me that not even Simon knew. “But when are you planning to do it?”

“I was thinking once I return.”

I waited for the rest of it. “That’s it? Just once you get back from New York. No romantic trip or night planned?”

He gripped the back of his neck. “Peyton’s kind of down to earth. You think I should plan something more?”

I sighed, thinking it ironic I’d be the one to give advice on this topic considering I wasn’t the romantic type. “Nothing elaborate. But something special. Cater in her favorite meal, have candles, roses, champagne. Something. Or take her on a weekend trip somewhere romantic where you get breakfast in bed. You could have the ring put on the tray. Just something to make it memorable.”

He was staring at me like I’d grown another head.

“What? Just because I’m not romantic doesn’t mean I’m not aware of what most women want.” My tone was a bit more defensive than I would’ve preferred.

“No. No. I wasn’t thinking that. But I’m surprised by how detailed you got. Almost like you’ve envisioned someone popping the question someday.” He was studying me thoughtfully.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be silly. I can’t even stand for a man to spend the night, so how the hell would I get to that scenario? Anyhow, if you need help researching places you could go, let me know. Although I think we both know she’ll appreciate it all the more if you do the legwork.”

Peyton might be down to earth, but she valued Simon putting in the effort as opposed to him asking his assistant to do so. Luckily, he’d been astute enough from the beginning to realize that.

“You’re right. Thanks for the advice. And on Saturday, if you have any thoughts about how to find out what type of ring she might prefer, I’d be forever grateful.”

“Can’t you ask her sister?” They were close.

He shook his head. “No way. Jen has the subtlety of a bulldozer. She’d give it away for certain. If you could get an idea from her, it would help tremendously.”

“Challenge accepted,” I replied, excited for this next step in Simon and Peyton’s relationship. At least happy endings worked for some people.