Page 5 of Finding Her Leading Man

“Alright. I get it. But what about hanging out with my sister? I told you I had references. She’s known me her entire life.” He leaned closer. Samantha didn’t back away but continued to stand there with an uncertain expression. “Have you done anything but work at the diner since coming to Statem? You have to be bored after living in New York. There’s, literally, nothing to do here.”

Her shoulders sagged. And even though he’d never met her before, he hated that. He hated seeing her look so worn out. Defeated.

“No. I haven’t done anything. I keep meaning to try. Ms. Iris keeps trying to push me into doing things with the woman that owns the diner. I think her name is Becky.”

“Let me set something up with Addie. Once you see how great my sister is, you can assume that I’m at least 10% as decent and have dinner with me.” He held up his hand. “When you’re ready.”

Her light brown eyes held his for a long moment before she said, “All I know about you is that you are Grayson’s agent.”

“And manager. And best friend. And now you know I’m Addie’s amazing, big brother.”

“Do you usually need to set your dates up on ‘playdates’ with your sister before they agree to go out with you?” A small smile tilted her lips and made him feel triumphant for being the one to give it to her.

“Nope. Normally I try to win the women over before they meet Addie. She’s a super-smart computer-wiz and makes me look a little bit like a loser. I won’t lie.”

She half-laughed. “I doubt that. You seem to be a good agent if you can talk me into even considering this crazy plan.”

He’d accept the backward compliment. “I’m the best. I’m very selective of my dates and my clients.”

Her expression closed off. “I’m not looking for an agent right now if that’s your angle.”

Hell, did she think he was trying to get her as a client? That would never work. “Graysonismy only client.” And it was easy for him to keep his hands away from Grayson. It’d be a little harder to remain professional with Samantha.

“I’ve never heard of an agent with one client. It seems like you’d make more money if you took on more than one client. Isn’t that the goal of your kind? Make as much money as possible?”

“Ah. See that’s where I deviate frommy kind,as you put it. I’m not Grayson’s agent just for the money.” And taking on more clients to make even more money wasn’t happening.

Having a set of parents who were never home while they chased after more and more wealth made it easy to be happy with his singular job.

He’d raised Addie with only help from the housekeeper while his parents traveled, jet-setting around the world.

Trevor refused to live like that. Ever. He wouldn’t go off and leave someone, a wife or child, just to make more. To be richer. And he wouldn’t tempt himself by doing more than he was.

Grayson’s career was his only focus. No ties back home. No wife to disappoint. No child to hurt.

She brushed aside the rogue strand of hair framing her face and gave him a wide smile that didn’t meet her eyes. “Now, you seem like the one who needs cheering up.”

Did he? Strange, he was perfectly happy with his life the way it was.

“Then maybe we can skip the sister-thing, and you will agree to dinner with me tonight? I’ll be happy to dump all my problems on you if it helps get your mind off yours.”

“Not a chance.” She stepped a little closer. “But I really do need to get back to work.”

She hadn’t worn perfume, but she smelled sweet, like the pies Becky baked at the diner and a little bit like the strawberry milkshake from before. “Expect a visit from Addie.”

“That sounds a little ominous. Like I’m Scrooge inA Christmas Carol.”

He chuckled, enjoying her sense of humor. “Addie doesn’t rattle any chains this time of year. You’ll have fun. I promise. Think of it as a guarantee.”

She chuckled. “What do I get if I don’t have fun?”

“I’ll take you out myself.”

“That seems like a win-win for you.”

His body swayed a millimeter closer. “I think we’d both enjoy it.”

Samantha studied him for a second before taking a step back. “My therapist would be proud of me. I guess you have yourself a deal. But don’t get your hopes up.”

---