Page 22 of Tied By Treachery

“Oh crap.” I slammed my cup on the table. “I need to go shopping.”

“You really do. Come on. We’ll go now. I promise to only veto the safest options.”

“I can’t.” I finished my drink and stacked our cups. “Weekly meal prep for Trevor Wright. If his food isn’t in the fridge when he gets home this afternoon, I’m the one who’ll never hear the end of it.”

Megan groaned. “Ugh, fine. I guess that’s an acceptable reason to pick chicken over dresses.”

“Just because he’s a professional football player doesn’t mean he eats chicken all the time.” When she quirked a brow, I added, “Okay, fine. There will be a decent amount of chicken on the menu, but I’ll make it delicious.”

“Which is why he hired you.”

“That and my infamous lasagna with bone-broth ragu,” I quipped.

“The dress can happen after the groceries.”

“I hate that’s actually reasonable.” She slung her bag over her shoulder. “Send me a picture from the fitting room before you buy. I reserve veto rights.”

We walked outside. “I can do that.”

She hugged me before heading to her car. “Go feed the football player. Then find a dress that will blow the sexy lawyer’s socks off.”

Five hours later, I was almost done with the first of those tasks. Trevor’s gourmet kitchen was a chef’s dream, and I had put his custom range to good use. The lasagna was resting, and a tray of chicken was cooling on the island, delicious scents filling the air as I worked.

My phone buzzed with a notification, and when I saw Julian’s name flash across the screen, I tugged my gloves off and washed my hands. Then I picked up my phone and read his text.

Julian

Hope you’re having a great day. Looking forward to tomorrow.

He hadn’t waited to reach out, and he wasn’t trying to hide his interest in me. I liked that more than I wanted to admit. And it helped me to be open with him, too.

I am, thank you.

And I’m excited for our second date too.

He didn’t make me wait for a reply.