Page 76 of Face Off

“You told me I could touch whatever I wanted.”

I leaned closer. “That wasn’t only about books.”

Her lips curved. “I knew that then too.”

I took a drink as she said, “The French pen is on my desk at the boutique. I use it for every major design and all threatening correspondence.”

“You send threatening correspondence?”

“I own a business. Half my emails contain threats disguised as professional courtesy.”

“I’m proud of you, mami.”

Her eyes narrowed with immediate pleasure. “Don’t start.”

“I’m encouraging a female entrepreneur.”

“You’re flirting with maid of honor one.”

“Those goals can coexist.”

Across the table, Aura had stopped listening to Easton. Bliss held her wineglass near her mouth, pretending she hadn’t heard a word, while Cade watched me with the quiet patience of an asshole whose advice I had twisted into permission.

I lifted my middle finger and scratched beneath my eye.

Cade’s grin widened.

Charm glanced between us. “Are you two communicating?”

“He was being sentimental.”

“You gave him the finger.”

“We have a complex friendship.”

“Many layers?”

“I’ve heard that description used too often.”

“Then you’re complicated and poorly supervised.”

“That feels closer.”

She asked about Milwaukee without pretending she hadn’t seen the interviews. I told her the Inferno facility was better than anything I’d used before, the winters were vicious, and my apartment still looked like a place rented by a bachelor who spent more time on the road than inside it.

“I’ve seen parts of it online,” she said.

My brow lifted. “You’ve been looking?”

“You’re a professional athlete. Avoiding your face would require abandoning the internet.”

“That wasn’t an answer.”

“I occasionally look at your social media.”

“You don’t follow me.”

“I said I look. Following creates evidence.”