Page 22 of The Little Black Book

Her disgruntled tone matches my own feelings on the matter, but I don’t reveal that as I nod and smile. I need to get my head on straight. Sam isn’t interested in me that way. And I’m not interested in him, either.

“Exactly,” I say, hoping my smile looks more real than it feels.

Ava and Sophie share another look, and it’s really starting to piss me off. But when they look back at me, they both nod and smile like we’re not all lying to each other.

Like I’m not lying tomyself.

Because I’m not. Sam Simmons is a good friend. A great one. And that’s all I want him to be.

“So, if you’re not interested in Sam…” Sophie says slowly, winding up the tension before dropping the bomb. “…I have someone I want you to meet.”

“What? Who?” Ava asks, her tone equal parts demanding and excited.

“No, Sophie,” I sigh.

“Oh, come on. His name is Branson, and he’s one of Jared’s most loyal whales. Comes in one weekend a month and drops a few million at the tables.”

“Ew,” Ava says. “Aren’t all the whales old dudes with balding heads and E.D. prescriptions?”

“He’s only forty,” Sophie shoots back, then looks at me. “And he’s hot. Black hair with those sexy silver wings over his ears, bright blue eyes, and a chin dimple.”

Sophie knows I’m a sucker for a chin dimple, and I’ve watchedMan of Steellike a hundred times––

“He looks just like Henry Cavill,” she tosses out as if reading my mind.

“Oh, if she doesn’t want him, I’ll take him,” Ava says, waggling her eyebrows.

Ignoring her, I ask Sophie, “Can I think about it?”

“Of course,” Sophie says. “He isn’t due to come in for a couple of weeks, so just let me know.”

I nod, my thoughts running rampant. There’d be no harm in meeting this guy, would there? It’s not like I’m attached. No. I’m one hundred percent single, and my best friend is vouching for this insanely rich, and apparently insanely hot guy who’s only seven years older than me.

Maybe Iwillmeet him. Maybe, while helping Sam find love, I can find a little love of my own.

Chapter8

Forearm Porn

Sam

Ididn’t make the same mistake again. This time, I showed up for my date fifteen minutes early, just in case. I wasn’t about to let Madison sit around and stew like Stacey did, ruining the date before it even got started.

There’s no sign of Madison, but my lips curve up when I see Zoey sitting by herself in the back, pointing toward an empty table near hers. I turn to the hostess when she welcomes me, and giving her my most charming smile, request the table by Zoey. The woman looks over and nods, then leads me there before telling me my waiter will be by in a moment.

As soon as she’s out of earshot, Zoey gives me a thumbs-up and says, “You’re early this time. Good job.”

“I learn from my mistakes,” I say, grinning back at her.

“So, do you have a list of conversation topics?” she asks, taking a sip of her water.

I shake my head. “I just thought I’d play it by ear.”

“Sam,” she says, shaking her own head back at me.

“What?”

“You obviously didn’t learn enough. What if there’s a stall in the conversation? Uncomfortable silences are romance killers.”

---