Page 49 of Game Changer

William slides the money into Chuck’s free hand before he takes the medium-size cardboard box from him. “You’re one of the good ones, Chuck.”

The men exchange a knowing look that I can tell has nothing to do with the box of games Chuck just handed off to William.

“Are we still on for that drink?” Chuck asks in what I assume is meant to be a whisper, but it’s not. I can hear every syllable as clear as a bell. “You’ll let me know a night that works for you?”

“You bet,” William reassures him with a pat on the shoulder. “Are you sure the bar I suggested isn’t out of our way?”

Curiosity drives me to take a few steps closer to the men. I have no idea why they’re meeting for a drink, but I’d love to know.

As I’m about to invite myself on their bar date, Chuck’s phone starts beeping. He doesn’t subscribe to the same ‘no phone rule while in the presence of others’that William does. He scoops it out of his pocket and glances at the screen.

“I’m falling behind on my deliveries.” He laughs. “I set a daily reminder so that I can clock out within the hour. I’ve got to up my pace if I’m going to pull that off today.”

“It sounds like it’s time for you to get lost,” William says with a note of amusement in his tone, although from the glance he just gave me, he’s not joking with Chuck.

I can tell he wants to pick up where we left off before we were interrupted.

“It is,” Chuck agrees with a nod before his gaze darts to the left. “Hey, you!”

I suspect he’s spotted one of the owners of the neighboring businesses, but that’s not the case. Posey steps into view just as Chuck takes a step back.

“Hi, Chuck,” she greets him with a grin. “I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

“That’s your fault, not mine,” he teases. “You haven’t ordered anything for a while.”

“I have.” She sighs. “Clothes, makeup, paint, of course. The firm is working on a big case, so I’ve been at the office most of the time. I figured why not have my packages delivered there instead?”

“I get it.” Chuck nods. “Deliveries are a bright spot during long days.”

She pats his shoulder. “You know it.”

Posey’s gaze finally lands on me before it jumps to William’s face. “Who do we have here?”

I hold in a laugh. “Posey Franzini, this is William Knight.”

William offers his hand. “It’s good to meet you.”

She takes it for a quick shake, her gaze volleying between William and me as she does. I don’t know Posey all that well, but I do know a ‘what’s going on here’ look when I see one from another woman.

“You were at the soft launch, weren’t you?” she questions him. “I swear I saw you there.”

“You did,” I tell her before William can say a word.

“I thought so.” She grins. “I’m great at remembering faces.”

Desperate for a change of subject, I take that on myself and point out the mural to William. “Posey painted that,” I say, even though I can’t recall if I already mentioned it during the soft launch.

He glances briefly at it before he turns his attention to her. “You’re incredibly talented.”

“I second that,” Chuck chimes in. “On that note, I need to head out.”

William looks at me. “Why don’t I walk Chuck out? You can spend a few minutes alone with Posey.”

I read between the lines and come up with what I think he’s trying to tell me. He wants me to send her on her way sooner rather than later.

“I’m actually here to pick up Opal.” Posey’s smile beams brightly. “We’re headed to the grand opening of that new baby boutique on Fifth Avenue. We’re meeting Opal’s cousin there. Then we’ll go for a drink to celebrate.”

I’m tempted to slam my palm into my forehead because I completely forgot that another of Posey’s murals is going to be unveiled to the masses today. I don’t know how I let that slip my mind. Actually, I do know. Work and William are the reasons I’ve been so preoccupied.

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