Page 61 of Forty, Flirty & F*cked

Because I am distracted. Because a week ago, I had Ariana Bristol in my arms, and now all I can think about is getting her back there.

Since then, work has been our only outlet together, and honestly? That’s getting old. Real quick.

"I'm fine." I pull up the projections. "Just... reviewing the numbers."

"The ones you were supposed to have memorized?" He checks his watch. "Perhaps if you spent less time at dance lessons?—"

"The numbers are fine, Dad." I straighten my tie, ignoring the knowing looks from the other board members. "Now, about the cloud optimization algorithm..."

Two hours later, I escape to The Summit's rooftop deck, where Luke, Cal, and Grayson are supposedly meeting me to plan Alex's bachelor party. Though given the suspicious number of texts they've been exchanging, I'm starting to think this is a setup.

"There he is!" Grayson waves from a suspiciously well-decorated corner of the deck. "Our favorite accidental husband!"

Definitely a setup.

"Whatever this is," I say, approaching cautiously, "I don't have time for it."

"No time for your own yacht christening?" Luke grins, pushing his glasses higher. "That hurts, man."

I stop. "My what now?"

"Your yacht!" Grayson spreads his arms. "Well, technically it's still our yacht. But since Alex is getting married next month, and I'm proposing to Roz next week..."

"Which means you're officially the last bachelor standing," Cal adds, looking far too pleased. "Unless, of course, there's something you'd like to tell us about a certain Vegas incident?"

"That wasn't—" I start, then actually look around.

They've decorated the deck to look like a yacht club threw up on it. Complete with those little anchor decorations and what appears to be a "Congratulations on Your Accidental Marriage!" banner.

"I hate all of you."

"No you don't." Grayson hands me a glass of something that definitely isn't board-meeting appropriate. "Now, about that Elvis chapel video..."

"There is no video."

"That's not what Alex says."

"Alex is a traitor who's about to have a very disappointing bachelor party."

"Speaking of disappointing," Luke cuts in, "how's that whole 'maintaining professional distance' thing working out?"

I take a large swallow of whatever's in my glass. "Perfectly fine."

"Really?" Cal raises one aristocratic eyebrow. "So that wasn't you I saw buying coffee at the overpriced place with that brunette? The one twenty minutes out of your way?"

"I was in the neighborhood."

"At 7 AM?"

"The morning market has good... produce."

"Produce." Luke snorts. "Is that some sort of code word the youngins are using now? I’m behind on the times.”

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really?" Grayson pulls out his phone. "So this security footage of you two in the conference room..."

I lunge for the phone, but he dances away, cackling.

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