Page 75 of The Floral Arrangement

“I don’t doubt it,” Fred said, his voice warm. “I’ll have my lawyers send over the documents. Knowing them, it’ll be at least a week or two. They’re very fastidious but not the fastest group around.”

My chest tightened. A week or two? Until the investment documents were signed, Fred could still back out. But surely nothing could go wrong now. Fred had made his decision. We survived our celebratory dinner. He was heading back to the city tomorrow. Now all that was left were the formalities.

We stood to say goodbye to Fred. Once he left, we slumped back in our seats and looked at each other.

“Thank god that’s over,” Olivia said, lifting her water glass and taking a sip. “I nearly had a heart attack when Dave and Rachel appeared.”

I groaned. “I take it you haven’t told them about the fake-dating situation?”

Olivia shook her head. “But I’m sure Mom and Dad will fill them in when they get home.”

“Apart from their unexpected arrival, I thought it went pretty well. All our practicing paid off.” My hand was back on Olivia’s thigh again, our legs pressing together. I swallowed. We didn’t need to pretend anymore. “Should we just go order at the bar?”

Olivia nodded and stood.

At the bar, we waved down the bartender. “I’ll have a smoked Manhattan and…” I looked at Olivia who was studying the cocktail menu.

“A paloma for me, thanks Sam,” Olivia said.

We leaned against the bar, waiting for Sam the bartender to work her magic.

A curl of hair had fallen from Olivia’s updo, resting against her cheek. I reached out, gently brushing it behind her ear. Goosebumps pricked my neck.

Olivia smiled. “Very nice. Just how we practiced it.”

“You know, I think we did all the moves we practiced yesterday, except one.” I grinned.

“Oh?” Olivia raised her eyebrow. “We definitely did a few leg rubs.” There had been alotof leg rubbing. “And I did put my hand on your shoulder and laugh at your joke about horses, which was terrible, by the way.”

I crossed my arms. “Fred thought it was hilarious.”

Olivia pressed her lips together. “So which one didn’t we do?”

I disentangled my arms, wrapping my left one around her waist and pulling her to me.

“Ah yes.” Olivia laughed, wrapping her right arm around my waist.

My pulse quickened. I’d demonstrated the move. Now was the time to let go. But it just felt so right.And Olivia is not letting go either…

After tonight, there’d be no more reason to touch Olivia. My chest hollowed.There’s no reason to touch her now. Fred is gone.

Perhaps this was just a friendly embrace. We were friends now, after all.Friends who kissed yesterday.

Olivia smiled, looking at me with her gorgeous brown eyes framed with dark lashes.

Did someone just turn up the heat in here? I tugged at the collar of my shirt, my eyes dropping to her soft, red lips.

A rush of desire flooded over me. I wanted to kiss her.

I wanted to do more than kiss her... things that friends definitely didn’t do to each other.

Oh shit.

I slowly lifted my eyes to meet her intense gaze. Her arm was still around me, her breathing heavier than usual. Was she feeling it too, or was I misreading the signs?

I clearly misread the signs at Pryde. Maybe it’s happening again.

I blinked as the memory jolted through me. Why had she never called me? The question that had been percolating in the back of my mind—and sometimes in the front of my mind—for over six months suddenly felt urgent.Don’t do it. You won’t like the answer.

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