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“Confidence, check. No bullshit, check.” He winked.
Her lips twitched. “Didn’t think you’d have a problem with the confidence part. Good luck.” She made a beeline for the door.
“Lori?”
Pausing, she glanced over her shoulder. “Yeah?”
“I only have a thirty-minute slot. If you have time…” He shrugged. “Maybe we could grab a coffee, or lunch.” He shook his head. “If you’re busy, it’s—”
“I’d love to.”
His melted-chocolate eyes bored into hers. “That’s great. There’s a coffee shop across the street. Want to meet there?”
Dampening lips that felt dry, she pushed down the ball of excitement slash trepidation that rose into her chest. “Sounds great. I can catch up on emails while you’re in your meeting.”
“Perfect.”
A last flash of straight, white teeth, and he vanished. Lori jogged across the street and snagged a table by the window with a perfect view of Dayton’s building. Despite the excitement circling in her abdomen, a single thought looped around her head.
What are you thinking?
Zane stepped into the coffee shop, spying Lori at a table by the window. She lifted her head as he approached, her familiar smile sending tingles shooting up his spine.
“Hey.”
“Hey yourself. How was the meeting?”
“Fruitful. I’ll just grab a coffee. You want anything?”
“I’m good.”
He returned a few minutes later, sliding into the seat opposite hers.
“So how—?”
“What do—?”
Zane laughed, motioning to her. “You go.”
“I was just going to ask how you got the intro to Dayton.”
“My best friend’s brother’s best friend has done work for Dayton in the past and effected an introduction.”
She frowned. “Your best friend’s brother’s best friend. That’s a tongue twister.”
Zane laughed again. Christ, twice in the space of ten seconds. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d done that, unless he was with Calum. His best friend had always been able to bring humor to most situations.
“You probably don’t remember, but during my first week at NYU, I met a guy who is still my best bud today.”
“Calum Brook. I remember.”
He hid his surprise behind a slurp of his drink. “Yeah, that’s him. Calum’s twin brother, Cole, is a detective, and his best friend, Draven, is a former NYPD cop who’s now a private eye. Draven worked on an issue with Dayton a couple of years back. I heard Dayton was diversifying into hotels and thought my company would make a great partner. We sell—”
“Liquor. Yeah, I know.”
She dipped her chin and peered up at him through her long eyelashes. This time, he couldn’t hide his surprise. While he’d done his utmost to avoid looking her up until he’d caved the night of his birthday, she’d kept tabs on him?
“Oh, I see.”
