Page 59 of Dex

“Do you mind?”I hiss.He picks up his glass and drains it dry.

“You met … inSão Paulo?”Raquel asks stiffly.“You expect me to believe that you …” Her head whips in my direction, “You flew to Brazil for a tech conference?”

“You’d be amazed what I’ll do to avoid my father,” I answer quickly.This woman is too inquisitive for my liking.“I was invited to speak.Panel on sustainable tech investment.Very niche.Very exclusive.”

“He filled in for someone last-minute,” Daniela adds.“I was there representing my father’s company.”

“And you… just happened to sit next to each other?”The friend glares at us skeptically.

“Sounds like fate,” Rio murmurs.

“I challenged him during the Q&A.”Daniela looks up at me adoringly.I wish she really meant it.

“Atta girl,” Rio says.

“In front of a packed room.She basically accused me of being all buzzwords and no substance.”

Raquel arches a brow at Daniela.“That sounds like you.”

Daniela giggles.“He was asking for it.Quoting stats from 2016 like they were groundbreaking.”

I smile down at my fiancée.“She was the only one in the room who didn’t fawn over me.I was intrigued.”

“Aroused more like it,” my wingman mutters.

I turn to him, afraid he’ll blow our cover if he keeps this up.“Will you quit the commentary?”I hiss, before turning back to my interrogator.“And yet, I couldn’t stop thinking about her all night.”

“How romantic,” Raquel says in a flat voice.

“Not all love stories start with roses.Ours started with professional humiliation and warm canapés,” I retort.

“Uh-huh.”Raquel looks like she’s still trying to make up her mind.“And you’ve been secretly dating ever since?Is that the story?”

“It’s not a story, Raquel.We kept in touch.It was… gradual.You know I don’t do instalove.”Daniela pats my arm, then, slides her hand up and down gently, as if convincing Raquel suddenly requires more effort.

“Real slow burn.Like gasoline on a match,” Rio says, taking another drink from the server.

Raquel eyes him.“You’re awfully vocal for someone not involved.”

He grins.“These two were meant for each other.It’s a beautiful love story.It really is.”

“One last question.”Raquel pins me with a stare.“Name one thing on the menu at that private dinner.”

Jesus.And then it comes to me.“Truffle risotto.It was overcooked.”

“And the wine was Chilean.Which was offensive, frankly.”Daniela doesn’t miss a beat.

Raquel huffs, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed, lawyer-brain in full effect.“...Fine.You pass.Barely.”

“Cross-examined and passed.Do we get a trophy?”Daniela asks.

“No, you get to keep your dignity.Barely.”Her friend pouts.Her lips are painted bright red.

Rio winks at her.“Told you.It’s a beautiful, unforgettable love story.”

My head snaps to him.“Remind me why I let you come here?”

“Comic relief.Obviously.”

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