Page 22 of Perfect (mis)Match

“Of course I do. Manhattan is a small town,” he shrugged.

A silence fell between us as I waited for him to suggest the obvious solution. He wanted something from me—and it was clear he had something to offer me in return. Specifically, an introduction to Mercedes. I wasn’t about toaskhim for it—I didn’t want to give him the ego trip of me begging for his help—but if he offered, sure, I’d take him up on it.

I crossed my arms and stared at him, waiting for him to say the words.

Vincent leaned back in his chair and watched me. He seemed to enjoy the awkward silence, so I forced myself to remain still and not fidget. I’d read somewhere that whoever caves first in a negotiation always wound up losing.

It was a standoff, and I was going to win.

“I’ll introduce you.”

Yes!

“What are the conditions?” I asked, wanting to be very clear about what we were agreeing to.

His expression shifted from amused to all business. “We stay in what appears to be a committed relationship now through Paul’s wedding, including spending time with my dad. You continue working at Summit to get the Sullivans to agree to sell their blossoms to me, and once that happens, I’ll introduce you to Mercedes.”

“Hold on, hold on—that sounds like you just added a layer of requirements to a deal we struck. I’m already working on the Sullivans angle—that doesn’t factor into this new deal. You’re still paying me for that no matter what, correct?”

“Yes, you’re right,” he sighed. “This whole ‘meet the father to get an introduction to Mercedes’ thing is a side quest, I guess you could say.”

“My business isnota side quest,” I corrected him quickly.

He looked startled, but he nodded slowly, accepting my point.

“Yes. Agreed.”

I nodded, satisfied. “Okay, then. Now we need to outline the rules, because I have to know exactly how much togetherness I’ll be forced to tolerate in order to fulfill my side of the agreement. Like, are we supposed to be couple-y at work?”

He shook his head. “We don’t have fraternization rules, but there’s an expectation that people will keep things professional when they’re on the clock. When we’re here, we focus on the work to be done.”

“Good,” I replied primly. “It would be challenging for me to pretend to like you for eight hours a day.”

He rolled his eyes. “All I require of you is to be available for a few meals with my father and act like you like me. Attend Paul’s wedding with me. And the Hawaii trip, of course.”

“Which is separate!” I reminded him.

“Yes, yes, of course. You need to get it on the books first.” He gave me a pointed look.

“Watch me,” I shot back at him. “So when will you pay up with the intro to Mercedes?”

His wicked mouth twisted as he considered his answer. “After the wedding.”

The thought of entering into yet another weird arrangement with him gave me a tension headache, but the result was going to be worth it in the end.

At least that’s what I had to tell myself as he reached his hand out.

“Deal?” Vincent arched an eyebrow at me.

I stared at his massive mitt for a few seconds, then slid my hand against his. He held me in an iron grip for a beat too long, and when he finally let go, I felt lightheaded and woozy.

I’d made yetanotherdeal with the devil.

7

PIPER

“Week two done, baby! Happy Friday!” Darcy hooted as I walked into our apartment at the end of the world’s most ridiculous day. “A toast to you for getting us that much closer to Strapped domination.”

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