Page 2 of The Naughty or Nice Deal

That was one of the things that ate at me when I was with… doesn’t matter. Rich people are weird about wine. If you can’t talk about how you can taste the notes of oak in it then apparently you’re not well-bred or something.

“No, no, I’ve been really getting into wine lately,” Kyle says earnestly. “And I did say I’d wine and dine you.”

I laugh, because I think it’s supposed to be a joke, but I’m honestly not sure. My phone buzzes again and I can feel my jaw clench.

I keep the phone in my lap and surreptitiously read the text as the sommelier approaches. I need to put the kibosh on this or Hayden will bother me all night, and I don’t want to ruin this date.

GRUMPY BOSS: I also believe in honesty, Keller, which is why I’m going to be honest with you. I think you’re hiding something from me.

Oh, for crying out loud.

MAEVE: Yes. I’m hiding my nefarious plans to poison your coffee and stage a corporate takeover. You caught me. Put me in cuffs, officer.

Kyle is chatting with the sommelier when I glance up from my phone, asking questions and pointing down at the lower end of the wine list. When I look down at the menu, I can feel my eyes go wide.

Holy shit, these wines are insane. I can’t accept him buying one of these.

“That’ll be perfect,” Kyle says, “thank you.”

I take a deep breath. This is a first date, I don’t want to accidentally start an argument or embarrass the guy. If he wants to buy an expensive bottle of wine, then that’s his business. It’s just my weird hang-ups because of my financial situation.

I give him a smile and glance down at my menu. “So, what did you hear is good? It all looks lovely to me.”

“Well…”

Kyle continues to chat about the menu, but my phone buzzes again.

I keep smiling at him while I glance down to see what Hayden has said now.

GRUMPY BOSS: Sarcasm doesn’t become you, Keller.

There is really no pleasing this guy. I text him back.

MAEVE: When I’m asked why I’m drinking an entire five-hundred-dollar bottle of wine I’m going to blame it on you. You drive me to it.

He sends me back a list of local AA meetings, the asshole. I roll my eyes subtly, pursing my lips to hold back the tiny smile that tugs at one corner of my mouth. Hayden is one of those men who’s handsome, rich, charming, and unfortunately actually funny, so he thinks he can get away with anything. He’s amazing at his job, he’s smart, and he’s ruthless as hell in business. I’d die before I’d tell him this, but he has a right to think highly of himself. Beneath the infuriating layers, I respect the hell out of him. I wouldn’t have stuck it out this long at my job if I didn’t.

But sometimes I swear he delights in driving me to the brink of insanity.

Like right now.

GRUMPY BOSS: So glad to know that you’re wasting the salary I give you on $500 wine.

That comment makes me wince, although there’s no way that Hayden can know why it’s a low blow. My three bosses don’t know everything about my past. Not even Ford. But it twists in my stomach like a hot knife, so I text back again quickly.

MAEVE: I would never waste money like that. It’s my date. He insisted.

The moment I send the text, I know it’s a mistake. Hayden doesn’t need to know about me being out on a date with someone. It will just give him more incentive to meddle.

I shove my phone under my napkin and shift my attention back to Kyle just in time for him to finish his monologue. It does make me worry a little that he doesn’t seem to have noticed I was texting somebody while he was talking.

“I highly recommend the salmon,” he says.

“Salmon sounds great.” At this point, I don’t even care about what I’m eating. That’s probably not a good sign.

My phone vibrates again, and I can feel my smile turning brittle. I probably look like a serial killer. “So, Kyle, you said that you enjoy music as a hobby?”

I glance down at my phone as it vibrates again. Grumpy Boss has informed me that there’s a piece of work he needs me to do.