I slouched back. “You’re saying I should give her some time.”
It would suck. No, it would be fucking torture, but I would do it.
Maddie’s brows lowered as she shook her head. “No, I’m saying you should think this through. I’m not her keeper. She’s an adult who can make her own decisions. But mixing business with pleasure rarely works out, and you don’t want to lose Greer as an assistant because you want to scratch an itch.” Her expression morphed, landing somewhere between gentle pityand harsh protectiveness. “Especially if this is because she’s just, uh, forbidden fruit. I’m not breaking bestie code by giving you details that aren’t mine to share, but she doesn’t trust easily, and for good reason. She’s had enough of being chased and then discarded to last her a lifetime. So, if you only want what you can’t have, move on to a different challenge.”
“That’s not what this is.” Sitting forward, I hoped like fuck she used those journalistic skills to see the honesty on my face. “I’m a selfish dick, but I wouldn’t knowingly toy with someone. And because I’m a selfish dick, I also wouldn’t risk sabotaging the only good assistant I’ve ever had over a quick lay. I’m not promising forever, but I know there’s something there. Something that I would regret not going for. I like her, Maddie.”
“Do you even know her enough to like her?” she countered. “Other than her aforementioned beauty.”
I thought about Greer. Beyond how sexy she was. Beyond how badly I wanted to take her and taste her and claim her.
“She’s smart. Surprisingly snarky. Persistent as hell. Sweet, even when whoever doesn’t deserve it. A perfectionist, but she doesn’t hold anyone else to the same unattainable standard she holds herself. She writes down everything, usually with a color-coded system. She chews on the top of her pen when she’s thinking and tucks her hair behind her ears when she’s overthinking. And she cares too?—”
“Okay, okay, I believe you.” The smile that’d been growing with each word I said split her face as Maddie gave a firm nod. “I’ll help you as much as I can, but I’m also not making any promises. Let’s start at the beginning. What did she say when you asked her out?”
“She always shoots down my dinner invites.”
“The text ones?” At my chin lift, she amended, “What did she say when you asked her out in person?Notas her boss.”
“I didn’t.”
“Okay, when you told her you liked her?”
“I didn’t,” I repeated. “But every time I compliment her, she just rolls her eyes at me.”
Her focus dropped to my own smile, and she shook her head. “Of course you like that. You’re warped. You’re also stupid.”
“Hey.” I didn’t have more of a comeback to that since she was right.
“I calls ‘em like I sees ‘em. You’re a charming guy. Greer has undoubtedly done enough job research to have seen that in every interview and public appearance. She won’t take it seriously.” Her expression turned somber with a lethal edge. “Not leaving clubs at three in the morning with wannabee influencers would probably help your credibility, too.”
I put my hands up. “I swear, I didn’t know that woman was there. I spent the night out alone and thought I was leaving that way, too.”
Some of the tension left her face, but the warning remained. “I believe you, but it doesn’t mean Greer will.”
Her phone must’ve gone off because she glanced down at it. All the tension that’d left came back in an instant.
Tenfold.
“Shit. Shit, shit, shit.” She lifted it and turned the screen so I could see the text messages. “She must’ve sensed us talking about her.”
Greer: Hey, I’m at Golden. Where are you?
Greer: I’ve now walked through the whole bar and the women’s room, and you’re nowhere to be found.
Greer: Madeline still technically Baker (at least until Easton puts a ring on it), answer me.
Greer: Either the app is glitching, or you’re hiding.
Greer: With Tripp.
Greer: Who is also not answering his phone.
Greer: I’m starting to get worried. What’s going on?
I pulled out my own cell to see that I had multiple missed calls and messages. All of them were about the pay raise I’d pushed through. There was no mention of where I was.
“How does she know we’re here?” I asked, mostly to myself.
