Page 67 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

“What’s this get-together for, anyway?”

“Jacqui said it’s an informal gathering after their quarterlyboard meeting today. She wanted to introduce us to her board of directors and the senior management team.”

“Sounds like the acquisition is a done deal, then.”

“It is. We’re signing the agreement on Friday.”

I tilted my head at him, curious. “Then you don’t really need me to come tonight.”

“She asked about you, and I thought it’d be good for her to see us together again.”

Something inside me deflated a bit hearing that. Maybe I was expecting too much, but after everything that had happened, I was—foolishly—hoping that a part of him might be asking me to go to these things for Jacqui because he wanted to spend time with me. Clearly I couldn’t be more wrong, and if I’d hoped he was asking me for anything else other than a show for Jacqui, then I was kidding myself.

“You’ve done it. You got what you’ve worked really hard for. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without you.” He gave mean adoring an affectionatea warm smile.

“Just give me ten percent of your profit for the year.”

His smile turned into a chuckle. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“By the way, I had lunch with Mike today.”

“Did you?” The smile dimmed.

“It wasn’t good.” I told him what happened, and although his eyes were fixed on the road, his face twisted into an annoyed scowl.

“That’s unacceptable. He was being extremely disrespectful to you.” His tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of anger underneath. “I’ll have a word with him.”

“Don’t waste your time. He’s not worth the effort.” A sliver of irritation poked at me. “He acted like I disgusted him. I couldn’t care less about what he thinks, but it’s still annoying.”

Alec was quiet for a while, until we came to a stop at a redlight. He turned to me, and one warm hand shot out to squeeze mine. “Listen, Ellie. Don’t let the Mike Changs of the world get you down. Trust me. You’re the bravest, strongest woman I’ve ever met.”

Warmth suffused me as I glanced down at his hand covering mine.How did I ever think I needed someone like Mike to take my mind off Alec?That WhatsApp message nudged me, saying,He used to have a crush on you. Aren’t you going to ask him about it?

We hadn’t addressedthat,and I wasn’t sure how to react if he broached the subject. Maybe I could feign amnesia. Or pretend I didn’t know what he was talking about.

It was past seven when we arrived, but the twenty-story building that housed the GPG office in downtown Seattle was still buzzing with activity. Weary-looking employees filtered out of the foyer, some seeming like they could fall asleep standing on the curb.

According to Alec, GPG owned the building (naturally), but they only occupied the top three floors. The building directory told me that an investment bank, an insurance company, a law firm, and a recruitment agency were among the companies leasing the other floors. A security guard checked us in, then sent us to the twentieth floor, along with several other guests. The ten-second elevator ride felt like two hours, because I was pressed close to Alec inside the small space, his front to my back, making me hyper-aware of his presence, his warmth, and his scent. By the time I heard thedingsignaling our arrival, my brain had successfully memorized every ridge and contour of his body.

The elevator opened to reveal a floor filled with guests chatting and laughing, everyone holding either a champagne flute or a wine glass. Caterers weaved around the crowd, carrying trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Some people were helping themselves to the food on the linen-covered table—there were trays of sandwiches and mini beef sliders, fruit platters, and gorgeouscharcuterie boards. Floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded us, proudly displaying a spectacular, unobstructed view of the bright city lights.

Holy shit.Thiswas her idea of an informal gathering?

“Alec! About time you got here.” Rob waved as he made his way toward us. He cocked his head at me, looking puzzled. “Everything okay, E? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Making sure you’re the same Rob I saw a few hours ago.” I was assessing him from head to toe. “Never seen you in anything but orange vests and work boots. You clean up pretty well.”

“I do, don’t I?” Rob proudly tugged on the lapels of his charcoal suit, a grin splitting his face. “I’m like an unpolished diamond, just waiting for my turn to shine.”

Alec sighed. “Can we not make his head bigger than it already is?”

“What’s wrong, Mackenzie? Jealous?”

“Of course not.” Alec avoided my eyes, and nodded toward the end of the room, where Jacqui stood chatting to a man with his back to us. “There she is. We should go say hi.”

Alec took my hand in his, smiling at people as the three of us made our way to Jacqui.

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