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“Well, you have your father’s reputation to live up to. I can’t imagine what that would be like.”
“What is it you do again, Jake?”
Pepper jerked upright. “Jake is a third-year medical student doing his rotation at Manhattan General Hospital.”
My stomach hardened. What was she playing at? Well, two could play.
I smiled. “I bet those nurses take special care of their doctors.”
Jake let out a laugh. Pepper’s features bloomed into a scowl. Even angry, she looked so fucking adorable.
Jake took her in. “No, no, it’s not like that.”
“Sure it is. I hear it’s a fuck-fest over there.”
Jake took a sip of his coffee, keeping his head down.
“Honey, what are you trying to do!” Francesca put a hand over my mouth, and I quickly shooed it away.
“Nothing. Just stating the facts. I know the CEO there. Fred Barnby tells me exactly what goes on over those late lunches.”
He choked on his coffee. “You know Frederick?”
“Of course, we share the same trainer.”
He laughed nervously, giving me all the more reason to ring up my buddy after tonight and get a closer eye on Jakey boy.
The server appeared with the two plates. “So who’s having what, or are we all sharing?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it.
Pepper threw me a scowl.
“We’re all sharing,” Francesca said, although she’d likely just have the garnish.
The server set the plates down in the middle of the table.
“Good choices, Francesca. ” Jake exclaimed, and fuck was it just me or had Jake and Francesca hit it off?
Not that I cared, I was more intent on watching Pepper. Body language was my specialty and all night, she had either moved into Jake or leaned away from him. There was no clear-cut emotion all night. She’d be cold to him one minute, then warm as fur the next. It confused me. She confused me. She was a mystery, a goddamn riddle, and one that I couldn’t evade no matter how hard I tried.
I drank the rest of my espresso and signaled the server to come around, handing her my American Express card.
“No, don’t do that, Connor,” Pepper finally spoke to me as the night was coming to an end.
“Don’t argue with me, Pepper. It’s done.”
She looked at Jake for backup, but he shrugged. “He said don’t argue with him. What can I do?”
She groaned in frustration. Well, sweetheart, join the fucking club. I had blue balls the size of Mount Etna.
Francesca waved away the server. “Let him pay. Connor is flush with cash, aren’t you, darling?”
I glared at her.Who the fuck says that?
She blinked, then focused her attention on the table.
“So when’s the wedding, Francesca? I bet you’re both so excited?” She squealed, and I nearly threw up in my mouth. Francesca reached for my hand, and I closed my fingers around hers.
