Page 57 of Square Deal

I knew that he would shave it smooth as soon as he got to wherever he was going, but I liked that slightly imperfect look he had around me. I liked seeing him in sweatpants and no shirt rather than his five-figure suits. I liked it when his hair was a mess. I liked his easy smile.

Spending the weekend holed up in the inn with Isaac made it feel like the two of us were living in our own little world.

“So, New York?” he asked, brushing the tip of his nose against mine when he finally pulled away. “Can I fly you up the day after Thanksgiving?”

Visiting New York City right before Christmas sounded magical. I loved living at the beach, especially in the off-season. But sometimes a girl needed to wear some Chanel, slip into a pair of killer stilettos, and feel like Carrie Bradshaw.

“I can book my own ticket,” I replied, sinking my teeth into his lower lip.

Isaac grinned and pushed me back against the door. “I think your bite is better than your bark.” He blazed a path of kisses up the side of my neck, nibbling on my ear. “But this is about living it up. I don’t want you to have to wait in line at a ticket counter or carry your luggage. I’ll have a driver pick you up and take you to the airstrip.”

“Isaac…” I whined, closing my eyes and resting my forehead on his chest.

He chuckled and tilted my chin up. “Don’t be scared of living. There are beautiful things in the world waiting for you to leave your mark.”

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” I asked, diverting the conversation to something less likely to make me feel anything.

He backed off, but didn’t give me any more space. Instead, he threaded his fingers into the back of my hair. “Last few years, I’vebeen out of the country on business. It’s just another Thursday for the rest of the world. If I’m in the country, I usually crash the DeRossis’ and remind Nonna why she loves me more than Luca.”

I laughed. I loved Luca’s grandmother. She was a hoot-and-a-half and knew how to throw down with the whippersnappers.

“What about you?” he asked.

“Oh, we’re doing this big Friendsgiving meal before everyone goes off to have dinner with their families.”

He smirked. “You just told me what everyone else is doing. I asked what you were doing.”

Avoiding my mother at all costs.“Gorging myself on turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, taking a long nap, and then packing to come see you.”

Isaac skated his hands up and down my sides. A near-growl escaped his lips. “A week is too long.”

“Mmm, but then you have me all to yourself. No sneaking around the inn,” I said and immediately remembered the paparazzi maelstrom Maddie went through the first time she went out with Luca in New York.

Isaac Lawson was a far bigger tabloid headline than Luca DeRossi.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head, Miss Hayes,” he said, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. A jolt of something warm and fuzzy sent my heart spiraling in a panic. “We’ll be able to keep this between us. I’m not seen unless I want to be seen. Do you trust me?”

“I trust you as far as I can throw you.”

Isaac eyed my nonexistent biceps before licking his lips and moving in for a kiss.

His phone buzzed—probably from his assistant saying that the car was waiting. Our time was up.

“I’ll be good to you, Hannah Jane.”

I pecked his lips and followed him to the elevator. I’d saygoodbye there and then take the stairs back to my office to avoid being seen together. “See you in New York, Lawson.”

Mondays were my saving grace.Where most people dreaded the beginning of the workweek, Mondays were my weekend. I caught up on sleep, did some laundry, and meal prepped before going to poker night.

This Monday was different. I was still riding the high from my unexpected weekend with Isaac. So, rather than jumping straight into chores, I changed clothes and headed to Jokers.

“Hey, babe!” Bridget smiled from behind the bar.

I perched myself on top of a barstool and tucked one ankle behind the other.

“Where were you all weekend?” she asked as she tore the label off of an empty liquor bottle.

“Working. Wedding at the inn.”

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