Page 75 of Square Deal

“Who works for whom again?” I shouted across the apartment.

“Thanks, Lawson!” he called back. “Don’t forget I’m gluten-freeanddairy-free on Fridays.”

I shook my head and wandered into my office.How did I end up with an assistant more high maintenance than me?Only somewhat begrudgingly, I ordered lunch for the three of us. He was doing me a favor, especially considering I gave him the day off.

Spenser’s husband was a fashion designer on the precipice of making it big. When I sent Spense a text with a photo of Hannah along with a message saying she’d need something to wear out in the city tonight, he just asked what time he needed to be over with options.

I buried myself in work, distracting myself from the peals of laughter coming from the other side of the apartment.

It was dark outside when I finally looked up from my computer with bloodshot eyes and found Spenser in the doorway.

“You look like hell, boss,” he said with a judgmental gaze.

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. “Why do I pay you again?”

“To bring your girlfriend one-of-a-kind dresses that will for sure land her on the front page of whatever publication you approve of.”

“Your nondisclosure applies in this situation. Do I need to get one for Teddy, or can he keep his mouth shut?”

Spense raised his eyebrows and shut the door behind him. “He knows I’d divorce him for you. He’ll keep it quiet.”

I shot him a look. “No photos. No paparazzi.”

He wrinkled his nose in disgust and crossed his arms over the thin, linen shirt that was way too flimsy for November in New York. “Remind me why I just wasted a day off styling your girlfriend?”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” I clarified.

He dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. “Nicely done, by the way. She’s a doll.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Where are you taking her?”

“DeRossi’s restaurant, and then the club,” I said, pushing out of my chair. I needed to change and run a comb through my hair before Alice came back with the car. “We’ll see where the night takes us after that.”

“Well,” Spense said, walking to the front door and snagging the garment rack. “Don’t call me until Monday and make good life choices.”

I waved him off and padded through the quiet apartment. “Han?” I called out.

Hannah was wrapped up in a silk robe that stopped mid-thigh. “Hey.” She smiled. “I was wondering where you disappeared to.”

I leaned in and trapped her chin between my thumb and index finger. “Work,” I mumbled against her lips. “Just catching up since I took some time off.”

She looked down at her bare feet, curling her toes in and then flexing them out. “Spenser is a riot,” she said with a half-cocked smile.

I hadn’t noticed it before, but she had taken off all her makeup. That was a revelation with all sorts of meanings I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

I figured out early on that she kept a secret cosmetic stash in that suitcase she called a purse.

Hannah had a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her tan skin was glowing. She had long lashes that didn’t require mascara, though I knew she favored it. Her lips were a sunset pink, begging to be kissed.

“You find something to wear?” I asked.

Hannah nodded, pointing at the garment bag hanging in thecorner. “I think so. You never actually told me where we’re going.” She thought for a moment before adding in a mocking baritone, “Or really anything pastGet on the plane, Hannah. We’re going to New York, Hannah.”

“Smart-ass.”

She looked around the master bedroom.

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