The next sound to leave his phone is a call. He doesn’t pick it up, but he reads a message.

“I’m sorry. I need to go. I have a stock meeting to get to. I’ll walk you back,” Evan says, standing up.

“Actually, I’d like to stay a bit longer.” I want to addto cool down and clear my head, but I keep that to myself.

“Did you want another drink or something to eat?” he asks, concerned.

“No, thanks,” I reply with a smile to ease his worry.

My phone rings, and it’s my Pilates boss calling.

“I’ll let you go. I’ll talk to you later.” He leans down to kiss my cheek, making me dizzy with surprise.

“Bye,” I breathe, letting the call ring out.

“You better call her back.” He winks, turning and exiting the shop and leaving me reeling from that kiss. And he’s such a good kisser. I wouldn’t have minded another one on the lips. Fake dating him is turning out to be a lot easier than I thought.

Chapter 13

Evan

“Here is the write-upyou asked for, Mr. Lincoln,” Shyla says. I turn away from the monitor to face her.

“The one about the new Lincoln Gallery?”

She nods. “Yeah, your brother Oliver answered all my questions.”

She obviously didn’t expect him to be so forthcoming. I bet she thought he was like me. None of my brothers are, though. I’m most similar to Harvey, because of his cool demeanor.

Thinking about it, Harvey has that same calculated calmness I do, but there’s a warmth to it that I lack. He’s the kind of guy who can win people over with just a smile; he’s effortlessly charming. The others? Each unique in their own way. While I keep my cards close to my chest, they wear their hearts on their sleeves.

“Can I have a look?” I hold out my hand, ready to take the paper.

“Oh. Sorry.” She steps closer to my desk and hands it over.

I read the interview, and I’m damn impressed. She’s been with us for six months after I poached her from our competition for double the salary.

“Take a seat,” I command, pointing to the chair opposite my large wooden desk.

“You’re not happy, Mr. Lincoln?” She sits down, and her fingers interlace on her lap.

Her back is ramrod straight, and her professionalism makes me wonder why she’d let a weasel like Bobby distract her.

Fucking Bobby…

I close my eyes and suck in a cleansing breath. What is it about him that had two intelligent women fall for him?

“This isn’t about the interview. This”—I hold the paper up—"is fantastic. You’ve been a wonderful addition to the team.”

Her shoulders drop, her posture not so stiff anymore.

“Thank you. I’m really enjoying working here.”

I don’t like having long conversations, but this one is important.

“Is anyone making you uncomfortable?” I ask, ignoring the way a muscle beats in my jaw, thinking about Bobby.

She shakes her head. “No.”