Page 14 of Their After Hours Playbook

“Oh, hi. Thanks. Ryan is awesome. I’m excited to work with him.”

Paige waited for Zach to start fawning over April. She had that effect on men. But to her great surprise, he turned his attention to Paige, stepping closer and putting his hand on the side of the pool, not far from her hip.

“Taking a quick dip?” she asked. Yes, it was more than obvious that he was doing exactly that. She couldn’t help her lack of conversational skills at the moment. Seeing so much of his bare skin had her flustered.

“Yeah. I needed to take a break. How’d your meetings go today?”

Paige didn’t want to tell him the truth—that they’d largely been unproductive and she was wondering on some level why she’d even bothered coming to the expo. “Oh, you know. Same old, same old. They were fine.” She’d leave it at that. No point in embellishing.

He nodded slowly as his eyes fixed on hers. They were the softest blue in this light. His cheeks were flush with color. Water rested in the hollows of his collarbone. Why was he so mesmerizing? Was it simply his youthful exuberance, all wrapped up in a perfect package?

“I’d hope they were better than fine, but maybe you can fill me in later. We still haven’t nailed down a time for dinner or a drink. The clock is ticking.”

“We live in the same city, Zach. We don’t have to get together while we’re here.”

“Oh, Paige,” April interjected. “We should just cancel our dinner reservation tonight. Or you could take Zach instead of me. I’ve got stuff I need to do.”

Paige’s vision flew to April. “But, April, it’s our one night to see each other.” And I already told you that I’m worried he’s up to something.

“Actually, I have plans. Tonight,” Zach said.

Disappointment registered square in the center of Paige’s chest, but she tried desperately to ignore it. “Of course you do. You’ve got a ton of stuff going on, I’m sure.”

“With Derek. My newest agent. Trust me. It’s not going to be fun or exciting. At least not as fun as it would be with you.”

Goose bumps raced up Paige’s arms, and the residual energy zapped her chest and face. Her nipples drew tight. “Maybe we’ll run into each other tomorrow.”

“Are you offering to make an actual plan?” Zach held up both hands in mock surrender, then turned to April. “You heard her. She can’t back out now.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let her,” April said.

Paige turned back to April and bugged her eyes. The things she wanted to say to her friend were too numerous to count, but they started with a frantic plea for April to stop encouraging him. She turned back to Zach and sighed. Maybe it was time to simply give in to a sliver of time with him. No harm in that. Hopefully. “Fine. Drinks. Tomorrow night?”

“Perfect. Seven o’clock?” His eyes were wide with expectation.

“That works.” Whether or not this was a good idea was up for debate, but she could only say no to him so many times. The fact that he wasn’t wearing a shirt made it highly improbable that she’d be able to keep it up.

“I’ll see you then. I’m really looking forward to it.” He took a step away, then glanced at April. “It was great to meet you. Thanks for being my wingman.”

“Anytime,” April quipped.

With that, Zach turned and ducked under the water before gliding away effortlessly.

All Paige could do was watch and wonder what he meant by what he’d just said. “Wingman? He’s joking, right?”

The waiter arrived with their drinks and April signed for them. “No. The way he looked at you, he’s not joking. And it’s not about work, either, even if you’ve convinced yourself that it is.” She quickly peered back over her shoulder as the waiter left, then returned her attention to Paige. “He wants you. Big time.”

“No. That’s not what’s going on.” Even though the evidence all pointed to that, Paige couldn’t help but feel that she was missing something. It didn’t make sense. Men didn’t fawn over her, especially when April was in the vicinity. She was the woman who turned heads. Not Paige.

“I’m telling you. You’re wrong. And what would be so terrible if you were?”

“Not sure I understand the question.”

“Would it be bad if you found out that he wanted you? And then you took advantage of that?”

“He’s twelve years younger than me.”

“So? There are benefits to a younger man, you know.” April sucked on the straw in her drink. “Stamina, for one.”

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