Page 86 of Forty, Flirty & F*cked

"Cancel it."

"The one with the blockchain startup?"

"Especially that one."

She studies me over her tablet. "Does this have anything to do with why you're researching FDA regulations for nutritional supplements at 7 AM?"

I minimize the spreadsheet. "No."

"Or why Ms. Bristol's father just called about patent law?"

"Absolutely not."

"Or why there are still crystals all over your private floor?"

"Those are tactical investments in spiritual security."

"Of course." She taps something on her screen. "Just like thehelicopter you had on standby last night was for 'emergency meetings.'"

I don't react. Much. "The board requires immediate access to crisis management."

"Right." She clears her throat, one side of her mouth curving upwards. "Nothing to do with a certain PR executive leaving early yesterday?"

"Don't you have meetings to cancel?"

“A few.” She checks her tablet again. “It’s just that…the protein powder empire research is a new level of crisis management, even for you."

Because of course I spent all night researching FDA regulations and patent law. Of course I created contingency plans for every possible way Gideon Bristol's "Bodacious Blend" could go wrong.

Of course I'm still trying to fix everything for a woman who keeps running away.

"The research is purely professional," I lie. "Simple risk assessment."

"Simple risk assessment doesn't usually involve spreadsheets about essential oil regulations."

"You've been talking to Christoph."

"Christoph thinks it's cute." She hands me a fresh coffee. "Your father thinks it's concerning. And your mother wants to know if Ms. Bristol would be interested in a joint aura cleansing retreat."

Good god.

My phone buzzes.

GRAYSON: Dude

GRAYSON: We need to talk about the bachelor party

GRAYSON: Also, we’ve been replaying that Elvis chapel video on repeat. Can we play this at my wedding too?

I nearly drop my coffee.

Yasmin stares down at my screen. "About that video..."

"Don't."

"I'm just saying, your harmonizing on the file management verse was actually pretty good..."

"Out."

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