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“Yes,” Gray says.
“No,” I chime.
Our eyes meet again and Gray’s cheek lifts in a half smile. Oh God, is this happening?
I feel like I’m in the twilight zone.
“My bad,” Gray quickly says. “You look like someone I know, Hartley.”
I swallow and for the first time in my twenty-nine years, I’m lost for words.
Regina gives me a strange look. I straighten myself out and walk toward the table, holding out my hand.
It’s a miracle I even manage to do that, but a polite gesture seems the way to go. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bassett,” I murmur.
My heart is pounding so hard in my chest he must be able to hear it.
He takes my hand in a strong hold and gives it a shake, lingering a second or two too long.
“Quite a coincidence,” Gray says, in his deep sexy voice, his lips twerking again. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Hartley.”
The way he says my name, my God, it’s like a hot knife slicing through butter.
“Likewise.” I smile tightly, wanting to scream inside.
It’s not as though I can even explain how I know him with my father present. I need to keep those details private.
Dad looks from Gray to me, admittedly a little confused by my awkwardness, but he puts his specs back on and resumes his lawyer face.
“Let’s get down to business,” Regina says, as dad passes her the file. I take a seat next to Regina, which is directly opposite Gray, and place my coffee, pen, and notebook on the table.
I feel his eyes on me as Regina starts talking and I try my best to focus and take a few deep, calming, slow breaths.
When I cast my eyes over the table, Gray gives me a pursed lipped smile. I think he’s just as shocked as I am, but better at hiding it.
He lives in Stoney Creek now?
What about Alaska?
“Let’s do that.” Gray tilts his head. He pauses for a second, looking at my dad. “Jim, I thought you were in the hospital?” he quizzes, looking confused.
My dad glances over at him, running his hand over his chin. “Yes, I was. But I’m feeling much better.”
“Dad is just here for this meeting and this meeting only,” I add, clasping my hands together tightly under the desk and keeping them there. My heart is still pounding and my brain is going haywire. “Then he’s leaving.”
“You didn’t have to do that for me,” Gray says to him, like he feels bad about it. “I’m sure the ladies here are more than capable.” Then his eyes are back on me.
“All true,” my dad agrees. “But I worry too much about my clients. I have a reputation to uphold, and I don’t like leaving cases halfway through.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
“I’m sure Hartley will be all over my case in no time,” he says, pressing his lips together in a pleasant, unsuspecting smile.
I nearly sputter again just as I’m about to take a sip of my coffee to calm my nerves.
All over my case in no time? I can’t believe he just said that! And in front of my dad.
He’s also much more serious sitting here in his suit and tie. No longer the relaxed, sexy man I met in New York. Now I know why the term sexy CEO was invented.
