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“Leader.” A hint of what sounds like boredom creeps into her tone as she looks at me like she has me figured out.
I hold her gaze, something pulling tight inside my chest. She stares back, unaffected.
Logan chimes in, “Actually, it’s—”
I knock his leg with my knee beneath the table before he can finish his sentence.
“—dessert time. Would you look at that?” Logan deflects, lifting his menu up and turning it around, offering it to Kelly with a flourish. She giggles as she takes it, a blush creeping over her cheeks as she reads it, her eyes darting back up to Logan’s and away again.
Yep, eating out of his hand/dick.
“Here.” I offer a menu to Sophie, but before she takes it, a loud ringing comes from her purse. She pulls her phone out and looks at the screen.
“Please excuse me. I need to take this.” Frowning, she stands from the table, striding out into the evening air. I watch her talk through the window, one hand on her hip, before she throws it up against her forehead, her fingertips pressing into her temples. She shakes her head and then ends the call, tipping her head back to the sky like she’s frustrated. I turn my attention back to Logan and Kelly.
“It’ll be work,” Kelly says. “She never gets a day off. I’m always telling her she works too hard. She wants to help everyone, even the ones who can’t pay her. I mean, who works for free? I told her she’s burning herself out taking on all those pro-boner cases.”
“Pro bono,” I correct her, making eye contact with Sophie as she walks back through the restaurant’s front door. I can’thelp but admire the way she carries herself—head held high, shoulders back, eyes on target. She isn’t a woman who drifts along without a plan. She’s confident.Sexy.
“I think pro-boner sounds better,” Logan says, eliciting more giggles from Kelly. “I’m definitely more of a pro-boner man.”
“Really?” Kelly flirts.
I ignore their hushed whispers as Sophie returns to the table. Instead of sitting, she bends to retrieve her purse, flashing us all a regretful but practiced smile.
“I’m sorry. It’s work. I have to go. It was lovely meeting you both.” She looks from me to Logan before focusing on Kelly with a serious look. “Text me when you get home. If I don’t hear from you, you know what I’ll do.”
Kelly’s eyes widen and she nods like an obedient puppy. What will Sophie do if she doesn’t comply?Call the police? The army? Send in a SWAT team?I can’t even be insulted that she thinks Kelly isn’t safe with Logan and me. I’m too impressed with the way she delivers the command so effortlessly, like she gives no shits about whether she offends someone as long as she protects those she cares about. Confident and assertive.A challenge.
My dick twitches in my pants.
Sophie places some folded bills on the table.
“Dinner’s on us,” I argue, gesturing toward Logan.
“I prefer to pay my own way,” she says curtly, closing her purse and turning to leave. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Logan says.
“Bye, babe,” Kelly trills.
“I’ll help you get a cab,” I say, standing up.
Sophie shakes her head. “No need.”
But I’m already on my feet, gesturing for her to lead the way.
She looks at my outstretched arm before glancing back at Kelly, who’s already giggling again at something Logan has said.
“He’ll take care of her,” I assure her.
Sophie smirks as another loud laugh erupts from the table, this time from Logan. “I’m sure he will.”
I walk her outside and hail a cab, placing one hand on the roof and leaning over the open rear door as she slides into the backseat.
“Thank you for a nice evening,” she says politely, the way I imagine she speaks in court. It isn’t cold, but it conveys no emotion.
Heat flares in my groin at her polite dismissal. She isn’t playing hard to get. She actually doesn’t give a shit if she ever sees me again. And that headstrong attitude only makes me want to see her again more.
