Page 124 of The Silver Fox Brother

Kate leans forward, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Okay, we need a real update. No deflecting this time. How are things going with all your projects? You've been so busy we barely see you anymore."

"Busy is good. The Sterling Tower project is ahead of schedule. The Williamsburg loft is wrapping up. I have two new inquiries this week alone."

Amy raises her glass. "To Winter Hayes, design queen of Manhattan."

We toast and drink.

"And how are things with Knox?" Kate asks, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.

I freeze for half a second before forcing myself to take another sip of my drink.

"What do you mean?"

Kate exchanges a look with Amy.

"We mean, how is it working with him? You're at Sterling Luxury offices almost every day now, right?"

"The project demands collaboration," I say, keeping my voice even.

"We have daily check-ins to stay on schedule."

"Daily check-ins," Amy repeats, smirking.

"That sounds intense."

"It's professional."

"Is it?" Kate tilts her head.

"Because you've been acting weird every time we bring him up."

"I'm not acting weird."

"You literally just froze when I said his name."

I set down my glass. "I didn't freeze. I'm tired. It's been a long week."

Amy leans back in the booth, studying me.

"You know what I think? I think you're deflecting."

"I'm not—"

"You are," Kate interrupts.

"Every time we try to talk about Knox Sterling, you change the subject or give us these vague professional answers. What's really going on?"

Nothing. Everything. I slept with him last night on a construction site and I have no idea what happens next.

"There's nothing going on," I say instead.

"He's a client. We're working together. That's it."

Kate doesn't look convinced, but she lets it drop.

"Fine. But if something does happen—"