Page 35 of Mr. Wrong Number

“Great, actually.” I took a sip of the blended coffee I’d brought home and said, “I got a lot accomplished.”

He looked like he was waiting for more, for something bigger. His eyes flicked to my drink as he started tying his tie, and he said, “Do you have any idea how much sugar is in one of those?”

“I do. I also know that I will never have abs like yours if I keep drinking these, so you can spare me the lecture.”

He gave me one of those half smiles he doled out on the regular and said, “I knew you’d noticed my abs.”

“For the love of God, Colin, I imagine they can see those things from space.” I shook the cup to loosen the bits frozen together in the bottom. “Not noticing them would be like not noticing trees are green.”

“Thank you.”

“No, no, don’t get a big head because I was just stating a fact. I don’t actually like them, if I’m being honest. Abs like yours aren’t really my thing.”

He gave a little chin nod, but his arrogant grin told me he didn’t believe me. “Noted.”

I dropped my bag on the floor and leaned my elbows on the counter. “I actually think they’re a little gross, but everyone else seems to dig them, so what do I know?”

“Gross?”

“I mean, no offense. They’re just really... um...overdeveloped, I guess you could say.”

He frowned at his tie. “You’re calling my abs gross.”

“I mean, notgrossgross—it’s just me.” I smiled and loved the fact that I was irritating him so much. “I’m sure those things bring all the girls to the yard.”

“They do.”

“I know, sweetie.” I pouted and clucked my tongue at him, and he flipped me off. “Combine them with all of your rich-boy accoutrements, and I bet you’re positively buried in females.”

Both of his eyebrows went down. “Not that I want to have this conversation with Jack’s little sister, who is clearly trying to piss me off, but even without the rich-boy accoutrements—what the fuck even is that—I do just fine.”

“What kind of car do you drive, Beck?”

“Don’t do that.”

“Tesla? Benz? Beemer?”

“Nope.”

“Audi?”

His jaw clenched.

“I knew it!” I grinned at him, all lit up inside from the knowledge that I’d been able to get the best of him for once. “That car is amajorrich-boy accoutrement, and you know it.”

“Sounds like someone is jealous.”

“Big-time.” I lifted my drink and said, “So what are you doing tonight? Board meeting? Philanthropic kegger? Political fundraiser?”

“I’m having dinner with a friend, not that it’s any of your business.”

“A friend,” I asked, my eyes glued to his throat as he worked the knot of his tie up to the collar, “or an I’d-like-to-hit-this friend?”

He coughed out a small laugh and shook his head. “Yet to be determined. She’s an I-think-she’s-attractive-but-who-knows-if-she’s-batshit-crazy kind of friend.”

“Oof.” I crossed my arms and noticed the wall clock behind him. I was down to five minutes before Will showed up with the boys. “Well, you better get going so you’re not late.”

“I’ve got plenty of ti—”

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