Page 140 of His Secret Gift

I clutch my chest. “I love your work.”

He then references to the stool next to him. “Please, have a seat. It’s always nice to meet a fan.”

However, I realize that I can also use this time to hype up Jack and Shelley Publications. But I know I must be skillful about it. If I just come out and say something, it might make him, and me, for that matter, look desperate.

“So, what do you do for a living?” he asks.

“I work on a yacht. I’m a stewardess.”

“Oh, nice. I bet that’s interesting.” He takes a swig, leaving a bit of froth on his black and grey mustache.

“That it is.”

“Who do you work for? A company or an individual.”

My heart is starting to pound because I know I’m going to have to use a lot of tack and wit.

“Jack Shelley, actually.”

Yannis’s eyes light up. “Is that so? What a funny and small world.”

“Why?” I play dumb.

He leans closer to me. “I actually have a meeting with him tomorrow.”

“You do? Wow. What are the chances of that?”

“So, tell me about him. Your boss, I mean.”

Hmm. He’s unbelievably sexy and can do devastating damage with his tongue?Of course, I can’t say any of that. “He’s very nice.”

Yannis laughs. “Nice? That’s a weird way to describe your employer.”

I shrug. “Well, he is. And he’s a hardworker. I’ve never seen another publisher work so hard for his clients.”

He sits back a little then. “Is that so?”

“Oh, yeah. His dedication is almost impressive.”

Yannis looks around. “He didn’t send you in here, did he?”

Shoot.Despite my efforts, I got too corny. “Of course not. He also isn’t devious like that. I think that’s important for you to know.”

He rubs at the hair above his lip with his thumb and forefinger. “Okay, if you say so.”

“I swear. Do you see that girl in the tight, black outfit?”

I squint and point to her.

“The one gyrating on the poor guy who looks like he’s about to come in his pants?”

“That would be her. That’s my friend, Callie. She works for Jack, too, and she pried me out tonight because she well—”

“Was horny?”

We chuckle together.

“Yes, exactly.”

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