Page 19 of Blindly Yours

Each of the meetings go well, plus I’m generously offered a date by the nineteen-year-old, which I tastefully decline. If the seven-year age gap isn’t enough, I have a strict rule against dating clients. And that particular excuse was a little easier for him to take.

At lunch, I stop by the building cafe and then make my way back to my office, chai tea and fresh green salad in hand.

I’ve given Nate ample time to finish up before midday like he promised, but to my dismay, he’s still packing his bag when I walk in.

I open my mouth to ask if he’s leaving, but before the words come out, I notice he’s not alone. Just inside the door stands someone tall and auburn, and certainly not welcome.

“What are you doing here?” I stop short of coming all the way into the room.

Malcolm is leaning casually against the wall staring at his phone, but he quickly slips it into the pocket of his Armani suit and smiles his perfect crooked smile at me.

“Rose, you look…” His clear blue eyes slide slowly down my legs. “…I’d better not say.”

He tries to smirk, but I interrupt with a repeat of my original question. “What are you doing here?”

With a shrug, he turns to Nate. “I was just in the building. Your mom wanted to see some photos of this villa in Cabo—youhaveto see it. Your repairman here told me you’d be back soon.” He squints at the ceiling. “Looks like you had a nasty leak.”

Nate clips the buckles shut on his bag and extends his hand. “Ah, so you must be Malcolm?”

Malcolm regards him with mild curiosity as he accepts the handshake. “Malcolm Carnegie, yes. Of the Manhattan Carnegies.”

Nate poorly feigns interest and then puffs out his chest. “Ah, well I’m Nathaniel Hale. Of the Fitchburg Hales.”

Malcolm scratches his chin. “Hmm, I’m not familiar.”

Nate turns back to his bag with a wave of his hand. “No, you wouldn’t be. We’re only known among an exclusive group.”

With a furrowed brow, Malcolm returns his attention to me. “Are you hungry? Want to grab a bite to eat?”

I point at the boxed salad on my desk. “I already have lunch. But thanks for stopping by.”

He cocks his head, regarding me for a long moment as he deliberates his next tactic. He’s good at that. He’s a corporate lawyer, and he’s paid well for it, which of course is the simple fact that led my mother to set us up a year ago.

A grin breaks across his face and bright white teeth sparkle back at me. He steps forward, touching his fingers to the soft cashmere of my dress. “Maybe we can get dinner? I can spare about an hour tonight. Wear that pretty little blue thing I got you last spring.”

I close my hand around his and lift it away from my hip. “I have other plans.”

He grabs my hand instead. “Aw, come on, Rose.” He pulls me closer. “Your mom says you’re just playing hard to get. Let’s drop the game, alright?”

Over his shoulder, I catch a glimpse of Nate, who is quietly observing the exchange. His eyes meet mine, calculating.

“Malcolm.” I tug my hand from his and shake my head. “I have work to do.”

He glances at my lunch. “I’ll just keep you company while you eat, then.”

Nate clears his throat. “I actually need to speak to her about a few details regarding the repair. So, I’ll be using her time, Malcolm.”

Malcolm cranes his neck, regarding him with a mild scowl. “Fine.” He straightens his suit jacket. “I’ll call you later, then.” He gives me a half smile before leaving the room.

I make a mental note to come up with a reason why I’ll be too busy to take his call tonight. Ever since we broke up, he’s been impossible to get off the phone when I answer. But when we were together, he always forgot to call.

Once he’s gone, I lift my gaze to the fully patched ceiling and then lower it back to Nate. “What do you need to talk with me about?”

“I don’t need to talk to you.” He slings his bag over his shoulder.

I cock my head. “But you said you—”

“Yeah, I was just getting that creep off your back.” He raises a disgusted brow. “You really dated him?”

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