Page 135 of Movers and Shakers

I nearly rolled my eyes. She knewexactlywhat she was doing.

“Barry!” Knox called as he entered the room. “Welcome in. I’m glad you could come. It feels a little empty since my parents couldn’t make it.”

“Why couldn’t they make it?” I asked.

“They’re having a date night.”

“I planned it,” Ruth added. “They deserve some time to themselves, especially with how hard they work.”

“So it’s just us nonparents. Except for Selena and Tom, of course.”

Tom came into the room and I introduced Rose to him. He didn’t have the same reaction Ruth had, thankfully, which meant we would make it through this dinner with her secret intact—as long as Ruth believed my explanation.

I thought she had, but as we sat to eat, I could see her constantly glancing over at Rose.

Max talked about Lila, which meant Rose was too busy tossing teasing looks my way to notice Ruth’s attention. Apparently, she found the way I talked about Lila with Max hilarious.

But eventually, as Max talked about how happy Lila sounded, she leaned into my ear.

“Can I do something?” Rose asked.

“What?”

“I was going to offer for Lila to meet him.”

“That might not be the best idea.”

“He’s such a sweet kid, Barry.” She nearly pouted, which meant she would get anything she wanted.

“Fine, but I’ll offer it,” I whispered back, “and say I know Lila from the bar.”

“Good idea.”

I looked up, only to see Ruth watching us with narrowed eyes.

“Um, Max,” I said, clearing my throat. “I do have something kind of cool to share.”

“What’s that?”

“I might have a . . . distant connection to Lila Wilde.”

He choked on his drink. “What?”

“Yeah,” Tom said, his eyebrow raised. “What?”

“I met her once through my job. And I . . . might be able to have you meet her sometime.”

“Youwhat?”Max nearly yelled. “How could you keep this from me?”

“I had to make sure she would be willing to, and I wanted to surprise you.”

“Oh my God, yes!”

“You really know her?” Selena asked, her eyes wide.

“I do.”

“C-can I meet her too?”

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