Page 12 of A Little More

Was it the client part that had worried her or the fact that it was him? He’d made sure to wear his cleanest pair of boots and jeans. Didn’t match Lexi’s suit or Juliana’s dress, or even Charlie’s suit, but still, his clothes shouldn’t embarrass her. He had no idea Juliana would take him to a restaurant that only his Sunday best would suit.

As Charlie walked away, Lexi motioned to the waiter. When he appeared, she politely asked for the check to be split.

“No,” Nash told the waiter. “I asked you both out to dinner. I’m paying.”

“I can pay for myself.”

“I have no doubt you can, but that’s not the point. Do you ever let anyone help you?” His tone of voice was sharper than he’d expected. Why did it bother him so much?

Juliana stood up, a worried look aimed his way. “Lexi let’s go wait outside. We really need to swap numbers.”

Lexi hesitated, her gaze still locked with Nash in a stalemate.

His back teeth ground together as he waited for her to comply.

“Oh look, Charlie is heading this way again,” Juliana said, with a fake, sing-song tone to her voice.

Lexi moved then, but not before she shot Nash what he’d described as anI’ll get you laterkind of look. “Fine,” she grumbled and followed Juliana outside.

Charlie paused by the table on his way back, watching the women leave. He shoved his hands in his pockets.

“I’d wanted to ask her about our date tomorrow night.” Charlie’s attempt at being intimidating with a sneer aimed in Nash’s direction failed miserably. It looked more like he’d smelled something bad.

Nash didn’t rise to the bait. “Have a nice night, Charlie.” Nash handed the waiter two one-hundred-dollar bills and left. When he met Juliana outside, Lexi said a polite goodbye and thanked him for dinner and left, like she was on autopilot, hardly meeting his eyes. Next time, when she came down to Statem, he’d try to keep their relationship completely professional. And lose his mind in the process.

Lexi rolledher suitcase along the wooden floor of her apartment, stuffed full until the zipper threatened to burst. Even for someone who liked to be prepared, it was overkill. Three days in Statem, Georgia shouldn’t require nine different outfit choices, six pairs of shoes, and both her straightener and curling iron.

She wasn’t traveling to Paris.

But she’d see Nash.

Her pink, steel-toed boots made a soft, thumping sound with each step. She wouldn’t have to worry about mud when walking through the field. Besides, the boots were growing on her. Cute and kick-ass at the same time.

Her phone rang. It was the theme song from Darth Vader. And it was her boss. “Hi, Julien.”

“Lexi.”

No greeting. Being personable wasn’t his style.

“John said he’s scheduled to come down there tomorrow for a few meetings. I’ll be joining him after lunch. Let’s say, around three. After the embarrassment with Lionel, I feel the need to make my presence known. Although you are one of my most professional and reliable employees, I can’t give the impression of favoritism.”

Favoritism. That implied that Julien had feelings, and that he wasn’t a ruthless, badass businessman. “I look forward to seeing you, and I’m sure the client will as well. I’ll text you the address.”

“See you then.” Good. This was good. Julien being around would force her to keep her attraction toward Nash dead and buried.

She tossed her phone on her bed only to have it ring again. “Hello?”

“Hi, Lexi, this is Juliana.”

It took her a moment, but she finally linked the connection. “Nash’s friend, right?”

“Absolutely. I thought we might enjoy hanging out sometime. I wanted to invite you to a movie tonight.” Her enthusiasm almost made Lexi agree.

“I actually am headed down to Statem right now.”

“For work?”

Why else would she head to Statem? “Yes.”

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