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I let him walk away, sighing as the fern snapped back into place behind him because I knew exactly what was coming in five, four, three—
“Toodaloo?” Silas repeated incredulously. “Bash, what the fuck did I just witness?”
“Let it go,” I said, more snappily than I’d intended.
Silas was loyal to a fault. Protective and kind. Doggedly determined. And once he’d set his sights on a goal, whether it was improving management practices at a company or buying new underwear, he didn’t stop until it was achieved.
But I didn’t want to be one of his projects.
“What are you doing in town?” I asked, a casual, not-so-subtle attempt to change the subject. “Big meeting?” I lowered my voice. “Is Landry in trouble again?”
“Probably, but that’s not why I’m here. I figured, since I was coming to town in a couple weeks for the Innovation Awards anyway, I’d just come early to see the polo match tomorrow and catch up with Dev.”
I stared at him blankly. “Polo match?”
“Honestly, Sebastian.” Silas rolled his eyes. “The second half of the charity benefit the company’s sponsoring this weekend? Someone should be there representing Sterling Chase—the company, I mean, not your new friend—and technically, Devon will be there since he’s coming up to check on some horses stabled there, but…”
“But Dev doesn’t do socialization anymore. Right.” I rubbed my forehead. “Fuck. I forgot about the polo thing.”
“And here I thought personal assistants were supposed to have strong organizational skills,” he said blandly.
I shot him a look. “I was supposed to be in Borneo climbing a mountain right now.”
“Right. And yet here you are… pretending to be the personal assistant of a fake human being who is trying to do businesswith my ex-boyfriend… why?”
“Because I was bored and he’s entertaining?” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but honesty compelled me to add, “There was something about him. He got under my skin.”
Silas narrowed his eyes. “More likeyouwanted to get under his tuxedo.”
“That, too. He’s fucking gorgeous. And I haven’t hooked up with anyone in… a long while.” Against my will, my eyes roamed the crowd over the potted fern, looking for a head of messy curls.
“He’s got a cute-and-charming thing going on, yes. But—” Silas’s voice hardened, drawing my attention back to him. “—he’s aliar, Bash. An identity thief. So whatever this fascination is, let it go. Besides, anyone who associates with Justin is bad news.”
I sighed. For the billionth time, I cursed myself for ever introducing Justin Hardy to Silas. The second my boarding school classmate had met my best friend, he’d seen Silas as prey. At the time, Silas had been working with me to negotiate a contract between Sterling Chase and a client he’d met through his own private consulting business—a contract worth millions. But Justin hadn’t hesitated to poach that client, damaging Silas’s reputation in the process.
I didn’t give a shit about the lost money in the grand scheme of things, but he’d broken Silas’s heart, and that was something I would never forgive.
“I hear you.” I clapped Silas on the shoulder. “Just remember, Rowe isn’t Justin, okay? There’s no reason to believe they’re conspiring simply because Rowe mentioned his name. And if hewasworking with Justin, he’d know better than to tip us off.”
Silas nodded unhappily.
“But Silas, even if they are in cahoots, it doesn’t matter. No one is getting near the company.”Not again. “I promise.”
Silas gave me a look that said I was missing the point entirely. “I’m not worried about the business, Bash. There are other ways you can be hurt.”
“Like, he’s gonna break my heart?” I snorted. “You remember who you’re talking to, right? When was the last time I had a serious relationship?”
Silas opened his mouth, then shut it again because the answer wasnever. I had learned from my friends’ mistakes. There was no way to tell who wanted you for you and who wanted you for your wealth and connections. It was easier to stay away from even having to make that determination.
“Exactly. I am married to Sterling Chase—the business, not my new friend.” I winked, and Silas snorted. “So stop worrying. I’m not falling for the guy. I’m only having fun.”
“Sebastian.” Silas blew out a long-suffering breath and muttered, “I’d be less worried if your idea of fun didn’t so often align with wild adventures that could nearly kill you.” He shook his head and groaned. “You’re going to talk to him again, aren’t you?”
My gaze had somehow found its way back to the curly head and those big brown eyes, which were now wide with fresh panic at something Constance Baxter-Hicks was saying. I wondered what topiary-related information the woman was imparting that made the man so terrified.
I wondered why the world’s worst liar had thought putting on the world’s worst-fitting tux (complete with bunny tie), sneaking into an event like this, and pretending to be someone who didn’t exist was the best way to advance his business idea.
I wondered if the interest I’d seen flash in those pretty eyes was all part of his act.
