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“Took you long enough,” he said, entering before he was invited. “How’s your day been?”
“Why don’t you come in?”
He turned to her from the living area and grinned. “Don’t mind if I do. I see you’ve been busy studying.”
She bit her lip. The butterflies were still there, but her nerves had settled now that he was standing in front of her. His presence was somehow akin to a balm. It didn’t make any sense, but it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t let herself fall for another one of Maddy’s guys, even if he was just a colleague of hers.
“You said there would be a test. I wanted to be prepared.”
“I never said it was going to be on this stuff.”
“Are you kidding me? I’ve been through everything in that box, and I’ve spent hours going back over what I think is important information. And now you’re telling me I should have been studying something else?”
“Maddy thinks you’ll ace it.”
“I will.”
“You don’t even know what it is.”
“If she believes I can do it, I can.”
“Okay then. It’s time to see how well you know Maddison Rochedale.”
“Is that it? Fantastic. I’ve been studying the transcripts, learning the way she talks, the figures of speech she uses. Ask me anything.”
“I will. At dinner.”
Her stomach lurched for multiple reasons. “You’re going to quiz me at dinner?”
“Yeah. Get dressed.”
She plucked at her shirt. She was wearing a reasonably comfortable blouse and slacks, but her feet were bare. “This isn’t dressed? This is better than what I wear most times when I go out.” And she wanted to avoid heels at all costs. She’d already walked through the rooms earlier. She was getting good at it, but her feet still ached every time she wore the shoes.
“I hate to do this to you.”
Her shoulders dropped. “No, you don’t.”
“You’re right. But the restaurant does have a dress code, and whileyoumight be overdressed for dinner, Maddison wouldn’t be.”
“You want me to go out as Maddison?”
“Yes.”
“To dinner?”
“I thought I said that.”
“You said I would be quizzed.”
“It’s a practical quiz.”
“And I really have to get dressed up?”
“Yes. It’s important. I need to see you play that part. You need to get it right. And don’t forget, you wanted to do this.”
“I know.”
“You want to help Maddy.”
