Page 114 of Stolen Moments

“Emery.”

“Nice to meet you, Emery.”

“Nice to meet you, Graham.”

“This is going to sound like a line, but I swear it’s not. Do you come to events like this often?”

I can’t help but chuckle as he tugs on his collar, looking about as comfortable as I am in this place.

“God no. This is the first and last time for me.” I look around and lower my voice. “These people look desperate for dates, not connecting about work.”

“Thank fuck. I thought it was only me who thought that. When I arrived, some woman with a perfume that made me sneeze ran her fingernail down my chest and asked if I wanted todobusiness with her.”

He mock-shivers, and I throw my head back with a laugh.

“Damn, that’s bold.”

“Too bold for me.” He chuckles. It’s nice, deep and throaty.

Too bad it still does nothing for me. Not a spark or a butterfly in sight. Absolutely nada.

The bartender approaches, and Graham orders us another round, refusing to let me pay since he spilled my first glass. I accept, and we fall into an easy conversation.

He proceeds to tell me he’s only in town for a few months to help take care of his aging grandmother, who recently fell and broke her hip. She’s the only relative he has here in the States since his father passed away. His mother lives in Spain, and he’s currently working remotely out of Seattle.

I tell him about my job in marketing and events, and how I moved here from the East Coast after my brother came here for boarding school. I keep it light and have a great time with him.

“So, where are you with this pizza thing?” he asks, his thick brow arched and a playful smile on his lips.

I look at my watch. It’s only nine-thirty, but I did manage to stay forty-five minutes longer than planned.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since you mentioned grabbing a slice. Mind if I join you?”

Do I want him to join me?

He’s been nothing but kind the entire time we’ve been talking. His eyes have stayed on mine, never dipping to my chest, and he’s been genuinely into just talking to me. Nothing more.

Going with my gut, I say, “I can eat a slice.”

We grab our coats from the hostess, and I lead him to the pizza place a few blocks away. We end up ordering a whole Margherita and sitting down at a high-top table.

“So, why were you at tonight’s event if you’re only going to be here for a short time?”

He shrugs. “I was hoping I could snag a client or two while I’m here. My plate is a little empty with it being close to the holidays, and I like to stay busy. What about you?”

“I was forced to attend tonight by my business partner. I think it was a ruse. She’s just trying to get me out of the house.”

“Ah.” He nods his head in understanding. “Recent breakup?”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “Am I thatobvious?”

“Nah. I just recognize a kindred spirit,” Graham says, and it’s clear there’s a story there.

I don’t want to pry, so I take another bite of my pizza.

“So, any chance you want to hang out again?”

“Graham—”

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