“I wish.” Alex sighed. “I have to go to a networking event.”
“You don’t sound excited.”
“I’m not. I’d much rather be working here. But I have to go to these events now and then to stay on the good side of the tech giants.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fun,” Grace suggested, though she wasn’t sure. Personally, she found wealthy San Valentinos to be stuck-up and arrogant most of the time and wouldn’t have relished spending time in their company.
“I’m not so sure,” Alex said, as though he could read her thoughts and agreed with them. “But thanks. Now, go enjoy the rest of your weekend. No work tomorrow, okay?”
“No promises, but I’ll try.”
Grace headed out with a light step. It felt good to solve problems and to chat with Alex like this.
That evening, she had dinner plans with Susie. Steve was out of town on a business trip, so it was just Susie in their house in Grace’s neighborhood. Like Grace, Susie had grown up in San Valentino and decided to stay. Unlike Grace, she’d gone to college at the usual time and gotten a job at a big PR company in the area.
“How’s the new job?” Susie asked right when she opened the door.
“Not even a hello?” Grace grinned at her friend as she gave her a quick hug and stepped inside. Susie’s long black hair was up in a bun, and she wore a pair of shorts and a white T-shirt.
“I’m much more interested in hearing all about MatchupNow,” Susie replied. “Come in, sit down. Dinner’s ready. I know you don’t eat enough.”
“You sound like my mom,” Grace complained, but in truth, she loved Susie’s cooking, and it was nice to be cared for every now and then.
“Good. You need people watching out for you. Now, come on. How’s the company? Any cute guys? Any trade secrets? I’m a boring married lady now, so I need gossip from somewhere.”
“Ha. Slow down.” Grace held up her hands. “I love my new job. The coworkers are great, and the company is really cool. We even have a nap room! As for cute guys…” She shrugged.
“Come on, there has to be more to say than that,” Susie urged. She led Grace into the dining room and gestured for her to sit. Grace did, and Susie started serving the rice and stir-fry she’d made. It smelled like ginger and soy sauce.
“I guess the CEO isn’t bad,” Grace said. She focused her attention on the rice in front of her, avoiding Susie’s eyes.
“The CEO?” Susie’s voice rose several decibels. “You mean Mr. Alex Medson? Tell me everything.Everything.” She drew out the last word, emphasizing each syllable. Laughing, Grace explained about working with Alex and the conversations they’d had.
“Not that I’d ever make a move,” she said. “He’s my boss, after all. And totally out of my league.”
“One, no way. If anyone’s out of anyone else’s league,you’reout ofhis,” Susie began loyally. “And two, people meet in all kinds of ways. Tell him you’re interested! Who knows, maybe it’ll go somewhere.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “I doubt it. I don’t think he dates much.”
“Neither do you,” Susie pointed out. “Just think about it.”
“Fine,” Grace said. “But for now, let’s change the topic. How’s Steve? How’s work?”
The conversation moved on, but Grace’s thoughts stayed on Alex. Part of her wished that shecouldmake a move on Alex, but there was no way she would—no matter what Susie said. That would definitely be a mistake, and Grace had too much to lose. Her new job mattered much more than a fleeting crush, and she had no time for mistakes.
Or regrets.
CHAPTER 5
ALEX
Alex stepped through the double doors of the ballroom and immediately wanted to leave. The room was filled with San Valentino’s richest and most sophisticated, from CEOs to venture capitalists to people from such old money that no one really knew what they did anymore.
Alex had to come to these events—he couldn’t afford to get on the bad side of anyone here, or it would be all too easy for them to sink him and his company with bad PR or rumors. He hated it, though. He’d much rather be at the office, sitting beside Grace, working through a tough problem or chatting…
Alex banished all thoughts of Grace from his mind and focused on the scene in front of him. The event was ostensibly a charity fundraiser for local public schools. The walls were lined with artwork the kids had done, which people were bidding on. There were also pictures of students smiling with their teachers and giving thumbs-ups. The ballroom was filled with round tables with a stage at the front, and a few people were already sitting and sipping wine or champagne.
Alex wandered toward his assigned table, picking up a glass of champagne on the way. No matter how long he spent in the circles of the wealthy, he could never feel at home here. A part of him would always be the child whose family had never had quite enough to make ends meet, who’d worn hand-me-down clothes, and who’d gotten a paper route at age eight to help pay for groceries and rent.
