Page 31 of Forty, Flirty & Fake-ly Yours

La Famiglia Restaurant,Seattle, WA

ROSALIND

They say January in Seattle has fifty shades of gray, but I never expected one of them to be Grayson Dixon in a cashmere sweater.

The man may be a billionaire robot, but he looks a male model fresh off a magazine. With dark hair sprinkled with silver, he smiles, passing a plate, those bourbon-brown eyes warmed than you’d ever expect from the icy CEO.

"You're staring," Olivia whispers as we watch him charm the entire Gallo family from across La Famiglia's bustling dining room. "Also, you've been folding that same napkin for ten minutes."

"I am not staring." I smooth the now-wrinkled napkin. "I'm observing. Professionally. For business purposes."

“Looks very business-y from here.” She nods toward where Grayson is explaining something to Nonna Flora that has her cackling with delight. "And I'm sure your sweaty palms is also strictly professional."

"I don't have—" I glance down at the slightly damp napkinin my hands. I flick the napkin out, slapping my best friend with it, who simply laughs.

“It’s you,” I tell her. “Stop looking at me. You’re making me—“ The words die as Grayson catches my eye across the room and does that almost-smile thing that threatens to make my stomach flutter. "Shouldn't you be helping Maria Gallo with the twins?"

“Sofia and Luigi have them corralled." She gestures to where Marco and Luna are competing to see who can build the tallest breadstick tower while their parents pretend not to notice. "Besides, this is way more entertaining."

"What is?"

"Watching Seattle's most calculating matchmaker actually fall for someone."

“Whoa. Falling for someone is way too?—“

"Roz!" Mac’s sister Lucia Gallo appears at my elbow, her chef's whites coat with flour. "Your man just taught Nonna how to use Instagram Reels. I think she's in love."

“For heaven’s sake, he’s not my—" I start, but I'm interrupted by Nonna Flora's voice carrying across the restaurant:

"Grayson! Come, teach me TikTok next! I want to make video of my special Sunday gravy recipe viral!"

"I think you mean 'go viral,' Nonna," Mac corrects from her perch on Alex's lap. They haven't stopped grinning since their engagement, which would be annoying if they weren't so disgustingly perfect for each other.

"That what I say!" Nonna waves Grayson closer. "Now, show me how to do trending dance with pasta sauce."

My phone buzzes.Again.Emily Hanning's name flashes on the screen for approximately the fortieth time this week. I silence it, trying not to think about the feature article deadline looming like Seattle's perpetually threatened snowstorm.

Or about how much easier payroll has started looking sincephotos of me and Grayson started trending and more potential clients started calling.

Or about how Olivia mentioned last night that Mia's new medication isn't fully covered by insurance...

"Earth to Roz." Dani drops into the chair beside me, looking suspiciously zen. "Your billionaire boyfriend is teaching our elderly Italian matriarch about social media, and you're brooding at your phone."

"I'm not brooding. And he's not my—wait." I take in her serene expression and flowing clothes. "What are you wearing?"

"Oh, this? Just some meditation-appropriate attire. Siddhartha suggested?—"

"Who?"

"My new match from SecureMatch! He's a meditation guru. Very spiritual. Very—" She breaks off as a soft snore emanates from the man who just sat down beside her. "Siddhartha? Honey?"

The guru's head snaps up. "Present moment... awareness... mindful..." His chin drops to his chest again.

"He does that sometimes," Dani explains. "Says it's about finding peace in unexpected moments."

"Like during dinner?" Olivia asks.

"It's very... spontaneous. Very zen." Dani pokes him gently. "Though maybe less zen during pasta course?"

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