Page 18 of Sincerely Not Yours

Gigi: LOL. Also, he let me name his kitten.

Paige: What in the heck happened last night?! Do we need an emergency Yappy Hour?!

Alice: OMG! He’s going to pick you up in his helicopter and take you to dinner on a private island. I just know it!

Gigi: That’s not happening. But we might need an emergency Yappy Hour. I need a plan fortomorrow’s event. Wine and apps at The Glass Cork? 5:30?

Paige: I’ll be there! What’s tomorrow’s event? I want to brainstorm.

Alice: I might be a little late! Got to finish inventory at the bookstore, but will be there as soon as I can. Order me that Pinot Gris we got last time. Yum yum!

Gigi: Yay! See you guys later! BTW, tomorrow’s event is a horse-drawn carriage ride.

Paige: You’re going on a horse-drawn carriage ride with Mr. Grumpy Sea-glass Eyes?! We DEFINITELY need an emergency Yappy Hour!

Alice: Ohhhhhhh, that’s better than a helicopter ride!

Gigi: You two are crazy and I love every second of it!

Paige: See you at 5:30! Alice, you better not be late, cause I can only stay for an hour—got a hot date with a match from GambleOnLove. Well, I guess I won’t know if he’s hot or not until I meet him.

Gigi: PAIGE! No!

Alice: What if it’s the senator??

Gigi: At least tell us his username . . .

Paige: hoosier_daddy

Gigi: OMG, you are definitely getting kidnapped.

“You are the handsomest boy I’ve ever seen,” Gigi cooed to the big black horse, petting his soft coat and distracting herself from the prickle of nerves in her belly. She, Paige, and Alice had surgically deconstructed what to do and say during a horse-drawn carriage ride with Mr. Sea-glass Eyes but their discussion had not prepared her for the real thing—because the sight of Harris standing in front of a pearly white carriage had her organs bouncing around like espresso-guzzling gymnasts. He looked like a real-life prince.

“Can I help you into the carriage?” Harris asked, holding out a gloved hand. His gray wool coat hung open, perfectly complementing a chunky cardigan. A plaid scarf draped around his neck, and his coal-black hair was pushed back from his face, tousled in a way that made Gigi’s fingers itch to run through it.

“Um, sure.” She swallowed and set her mittened hand in his, trying her best to look graceful and casual as she stepped up into the carriage. Hopefully, she managed at least one. “This is so neat.” Once aboard, she stood tall, assessing the row of harnessed horses and glittering carriages behind her, all lined up against the snowy curb. When Harris joined her, she turned to face him, but her heart jerked at the sudden close quarters. “Oh, hi,” she said, like he’d suddenly appeared from out of nowhere.

“Hey.” He returned her awkward greeting with a slightly confused grin.

They were close enough that Gigi could’ve leaned in and nuzzled her face in his wool scarf. As it was, she got a lungful of whatever his tempting cologne was—dark, woodsy tones mixed with . . . orange peel? Black licorice? It wasn’t a familiar scent. Not something that Ryan & Ryan used, but Gigi wondered why they hadn’t bottled Harris up. They’d sell out of any product that captured his essence.

Realizing she’d been analyzing his scent for too long, Gigi turned and took a seat on the velvet bench. “I’ve never done this before,” she said, redirecting her thoughts before she asked Harris why he smelled so good.

“I haven’t either.” Harris eased onto the bench next to her, confirming the carriage was made for two people in love, not two people who worked together. His shoulder and thigh brushed against hers. “Are you okay? Comfortable?” He scooted, trying to give her a little more space.

“Yes, totally fine.” Gigi nodded and clasped her hands in her lap, willing her stomach to quit fluttering. Harris wasn’t here to give her flutters. They were working, and he was being respectful, putting a few inches between them. Had his scent hypnotized her senseless?

The driver turned, breaking Gigi from her thoughts. “Good evening, Ms. Ricci and Mr. Ryan. I’m Bernard, your driver.” He addressed them over his shoulder, the brim of his top hat shadowing his eyes. “Pleasure to have you both aboard this evening. There’s a blanket tucked in the leather pocket behind me as well as two thermoses of peppermint hot chocolate. Are you ready to start your tour?”

“Just one minute, please,” Gigi replied, digging a few necessities from her coat pockets. “I just need to get my phone set up.” Quickly removing her mittens, Gigi attached a flexiblephone stand to the carriage and clipped her phone into it. Then she adjusted the setup so her camera would capture her, Harris, and the view of the city street.

Tonight’s event was to promote Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, a bustling street full of high-end shopping, restaurants, and posh hotels. Each of them was hosting a special one-day Christmas sale, and the sponsoring companies for the Gals’ Gift Guide were to promote the sale on social. Gigi had already posted quite a few pictures and reels on the company’s social channels, as well as the information on where to purchase SheTime’s products during the sale. However, she wanted to finish the evening by live streaming a carriage ride down the picturesque street, highlighting the shopping extravaganza.

“Okay, we’re ready, Bernard,” Gigi said, starting the live streaming on her phone. Sitting back against the tufted leather, she turned to Harris with a smile. “We’re streaming to Christmas music so no one can hear what we say. Just look like you’re having a good time.” She gave him a big smile, pointing to the edges of her lips for emphasis.

He huffed a puff of steam and returned her smile with one of his own. It looked genuine. “I think I can do that.”

As Bernard eased the horse and carriage onto the street, Harris pulled the blanket from the front pocket. “Are you cold?”

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