Page 10 of Reckless Encounters

“Wait, Bryant? As in, Bryant & Co.?” I question, confused at his insinuation.

A sheepish smile takes over Logan’s face. “Dennis Bryant is my mom’s father.”

“Ah, cool, I had no idea.”

I’m relieved when he doesn’t pry into why I don’t use my last name as clout.

Logan turns his attention to Parker, who has obviously pissed him off with his previous smartass comment. “Surprised you joined us tonight. You never come out.”

He scoffs. “Well, after sitting through all those boring interviews, I needed a drink.” Tipping his rocks glass toward us, he takes a swig of the brown liquid.

Whiskey… I can almost taste the memory.

His eyes find mine for the first time since he sat down. “Plus, I wanted to congratulate Ava here on landing the job.”

What is he playing at?

“Thank you. I’m looking forward to working with you all on this.” I force myself to act normal, just as I did with Logan and Olivia. But my body knows he’s different.

“Well, you’ll be working under me.”

Under me.

My core tingles, and I quickly pull myself out of his dark stare. “Ya know, Logan, I think I may actually take you up on that drink.”

He beams at me. “What do you want? I’ll just go up to the bar and grab it,” Logan says, pointing to the cocktail waitress dealing with a loud crowd in the corner.

“You pick…as long as it has tequila in it,” I say, not wanting to mix my liquors and make a fool of myself tonight.

“Okay, beautiful.” Logan nods before moving toward the bar.

“Beautiful…really? He’s laying it on a little thick, isn’t he?” Parker grumbles.

“It’s called being nice. You should try it.”Leaning in, I give him a saccharine smile.

“It’s called don’t shit where you eat, Legs.”

“You are one to talk. From what I’ve heard, you’ve fucked half of Manhattan. I can’t imagine none of them were colleagues.” I roll my eyes.

“What I do is none of your business.”

“Well then, same goes for you… I’m a grown woman, and I can do what I want and who I want,” I say with a shrug, and he huffs a laugh that holds no humor.

“Not when I’m your boss. For fuck’s sake, you just got the job. Are you already trying to get fired?”

He wouldn’t, but the thought is sobering. “Again, none of your business… but Logan is just a new associate who I’ll be working closely with, so I have no plans to take our friendship further at the moment.”

“Or ever,” Parker growls.

“Stop. You are pissing me off.” I level him with a hard stare, watching as his nostrils flare. “I know you don’t really know me, but believe me on this… If you are worried I am going to let something distract me from this project, you are certainly mistaken. This is huge for me.”

He nods, taking another sip of his whiskey as Logan returns with our drinks.

Worried he will feel the tension in the air, I give him a bright smile. “Thanks so much.”

Thankfully, Olivia and her boyfriend, who introduces himself as Braxton, rejoin the table, and the conversation turns toward baseball. We discuss Eli’s recent game, as well as the Yankees’ first month since opening day.

Logan notices my drink is empty. “Do you want anything else?”

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