Page 11 of Head Over Heels

He raises a brow, but nods. Josie gives him a tight smile and looks away.

"Now," I turn back to her, "it's my first time using the app, too. I don't usually meet women this way."

She lets out a soft laugh. "I imagine you meet women everywhere you go." Her eyes trace the curve of my neck before darting away.

"I'm not looking, honestly. I've been independent all my life. I never felt like I needed someone else to complete me."

"Doesn't that get lonely?" Her face softens, then falls. "Let me guess." She bites her lip. "You're the boss. Work always comes first, and now you're looking for someone who fits into your schedule."

I gape at her, caught off guard.

She laughs. "It doesn't take a brain surgeon, IceQueen. Your clothes, your posture—they give you away. So why now?"

I deflect. "Tell me about you first. Where do you normally meet women?"

She looks down at her hands, fidgeting. "I— I haven't dated much." She bites her lower lip. "I had a best friend. We spent every waking moment together."

I reach across the table, my hand covering hers. "What happened to her?"

She snorts. "She fell in love. With someone else." Her voice catches, but she distracts me, turning my hand over and tracing the inside of my palm. Her touch is soft. Familiar, almost. Surprisingly intimate for a stranger.

"She's still my best friend," she continues quietly, "and I still have feelings for her." She lets go of my hand, her fingers lingering just a hair too long. "I had a friend with benefits—someone else—but she said it wasn't healthy for me to keep that going." She exhales. "Sorry. I'm babbling. I'm not really looking for a relationship right now. That wouldn't be fair to you. But friendship… someone to spend time with…"

I tilt my head. "Why did you say that you couldn't get into Nectar next door?"

She rolls her eyes. "Have you ever been inside? I'm not dressed for it, and it's… Well, it's a little out of my price range."

"It would be my treat."

She raises an eyebrow, her grin sly. "You must have quite the kingdom, if you've got pull at a place like that."

I blink. "Kingdom?"

She lets out a genuine laugh. "Ice queen. Kingdom." She shrugs, still grinning. "Never mind. Am I allowed to ask what your real name is?"

"Back up a second. I'm not an ice queen. Where do you get that? You read too many steamy romance novels." I try to make it sound like teasing, but the edge in my voice betrays me.

Josie's sapphire eyes meet mine. She's quiet for a long beat, her brow furrowing. "Seriously?"

Yes, seriously.We barely know each other.Am I that transparent?

She takes my hand in hers, caressing it before turning it over. She spreads my fingers apart and slowly traces from the center of my palm to the tip of my index finger.

"First, yourHerhandle is Icy Boss." Her finger moves down my middle finger, lingering at the tip. Her focus stays on my hand, like she's studying the page of a book.

"You carry yourself like you own the world," she murmurs, almost absently. "You spoke to the waiter like you know him and respect him—but with an authority that most people wouldn't carry. Not just for tea."

She swallows, tracing my ring finger next. "You're observant. You pegged exactly what I like to read." She glances down briefly at her simple jeans and blouse. "And despite how I'm dressed, you have enough sway to get me into Nectar. Or think you do, at any rate."

Her fingertip glides along my pinkie, then she folds her hand over mine, her warmth sinking into my skin. "And you asked me to meet you in a nearly deserted place, where it's unlikely anyone would recognize you."

Her gaze lifts, locking onto mine.

I study her carefully, not reacting. "You've got me all figured out, do you?" She's spot on. It's unnerving.

She shakes her head, her eyes dancing. "No. Not even close. I don't even know your name." The side of her lips twitches. Amused.

I lick my bottom lip. "If you've pegged me right… am I someone you want to know?" I look away when I catch sight of Matthew approaching with our tea.

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