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“No. Actually, it appears his new advertising executivesuggested he start an NPO.” Lacey blushed at the memory. “She made such an impression on him that after he heard her pitch, he called me and asked if I thought it would be a viable endeavor. And when I agreed it was a fantastic idea, he asked if I’d be interested in running it, though he didn’t make a formal offer.”
“What?” Lacey’s stomach dropped. She felt like the worst girlfriend on the planet. “You must hate me.”
He reached across the table and lifted her chin with his forefinger before taking her hand in his. “I could never hate you, Lacey. But I’d like to explain everything that happened.”
“Okay, but you really don’t need to. This is more on me than you. I trust you, Drew.”
“Thank you, but I need to tell you so you can understand that youdidget the job on your own merit.” That comment brought a smile to her face. “When Pete first asked me about the NPO, I’m ninety-nine-point-nine percent sure he’d already decided to hire you and your firm—though he didn’t mention your name at that point. But I didn’t say anything to you at the time, since I didn’t want you to get your hopes up just in case that one-tenth of a percent wasn’t in your favor.” Lacey nodded, taking everything in. “Right after you and I spoke and you told me you were hired, Pete called me again and officially offered me the job. At that point, I still didn’t say we knew each other—I told you I wouldn’t mention your name. It wasn’t until he told me how beautiful his new account exec, Lacey Winters, was that I told him you were mine.”
“You did?”
It wasn’t lost on Drew that Lacey seemed unfazed at hearing what Pete thought of her; only that Drew told her new client that she was his.
“Yes, of course I did. I know I should have told you about my first call with Pete, and it killed me not to, but I wasn’t allowed to say anything about the job.”
Lacey nodded. “I understand.”
Drew stared into her eyes. “I don’t blame you for jumping to the wrong conclusion. Pete had told me not to mention anything to anyone until he discussed it with his board of directors. But you’re not anyone, and after everything you’d been through, I should have told you right off the bat. All of this could have been avoided.”
Lacey let out a deep breath from across the table. Her lips parted, and all he wanted to do was kiss her. “You’re nothing like Kevin, and I knew that. But I let his awful words and my past with him define what we have.” She cocked her head to the side. “You know I can be a bit impulsive at times.” Lacey let out a small laugh. Drew knew better than anyone how impulsive she could be and loved that about her. “Are you sure you still want to be with me?”
“Are you kidding? I can’t wait to get you alone and show you just how much I want that.”
Lacey blushed and looked around the restaurant. “Would you like to get out of here?”
Drew couldn’t reach into his wallet fast enough. He dropped a few bills on the table and snatched Lacey’s hand. His arm tugged backward when she stopped walking.
“What is it? Did you forget something?” Her eyes glassed over. “Lacey, are you okay?”
Lifting his arm she focused on his bracelet. “You’re still wearing it?”
“Of course I am.” He looked at her wrist. “And so are you.”
Lacey nodded, and Drew kissed her lips before they walked to the front of the restaurant. She handed her ticket to the coat check, and he had one as well for his jacket and luggage. Drew helped her slip on her coat as they headed outside. The frigid New York City air greeted them, but neither seemed to mind.
“You haven’t checked into a hotel yet?”
“No, not yet.” Drew stopped walking and wrapped his arms around the small of her back. “I still owe you dinner.”
Lacey sucked in her bottom lip. “There’s a great pizza place around the corner from my apartment.”
His lips twisted. “I don’t know… New York pizza?” He mockshivered at the thought. “You know, Chicago style is the best.”
Lacey shook her head and Drew laughed. “Not a chance.”
“I know one thing that just might make me agree with you.”
“What’s that?”
“How do you feel about eating pizza in bed?”
“I think that can be arranged.”
They didn’t hesitate, grabbing a cab. Less than an hour later, Drew and Lacey were sitting in her bed with an open pizza box between them. Drew had changed into sweats and a T-shirt, and Lacey was wearing black leggings and a pink hoodie. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Lacey reached into the box, pulling out the perfect mozzarella-and-pepperoni-covered triangle. She folded the slice in half and moaned as she bit into it. Drew leaned in and chastely kissed her, tasting the tangy tomato and cheese.
“You’re right. New York pizza is definitely better.”
“I knew you’d see it my way, Mitchell.”
