Page 61 of My Book Boyfriend
“I’m sure he must have given you some signals.” He must have been attracted to Lily. She’s far more beautiful than the woman he was dancing with. But also a very different type. Not showy. More elegant. More hidden depths. At least for me. Thankfully, not for him.
“Brunch almost every Sunday. But Bella did warn me that the brunch was the friend spot.”
Enough with Aiden. “You’re not reading me wrong,” I say. “I like you.”
“Or you’re even more ruthless and you’re weakening my resolve to fight you.” Her glance meets me in the candlelight.
She likes me back.
But those blue eyes, so unsure.
She’s the one weakening my resolve.
I reach out to hold her hand.
“It’s mutual. And I didn’t see any weakened resolve when you were out picketing our building.”
She grins and leans forward. “Well, you know, I had to put up a strong front in front of all our constituents. But really, I would’ve preferred to spend the day kissing you into submission.”
I can feel my eyes widen. “We’ll see who folds first.” I stroke her hand.
The waitress sets down the two plates of fish and chips. Perfect timing to cut the tension.
I take a bite of my fish. It’s crisp on the outside and flaky inside. “This is delicious.”
“Iris’s family actually owns this place. Her dad is from England originally, and his father owned a pub there. Family recipe.”
I’m impressed. But what I like most about the place is the relaxed and friendly vibe.
We talk about growing up in New York and Wilhelmina Chrissy’s previous book. I don’t want this to end. I want to stay at this table in our own bubble.
“Why do you always include affordable housing?” she asks.
“I think it’s important. I don’t want a New York full of pieds-à-terre for millionaires. This is my city too, and I want to live here, and I want the people who work here to be able to live here. Many of the guys on our construction crews travel over an hour to get to a worksite in Manhattan.” I sip my beer. “But it’s not completely altruistic. The company gets some tax breaks, and it helps smooth the process.”
“Is the competition for CEO between you and your cousin?”
“No,” I say. “Rowena and I want to be co-CEOs.”
“Isn’t it a sure thing, then, that you will be CEO?” she asks.
“Not anymore. This is confidential, but my grandfather has found a very qualified outsider to potentially be CEO.” I can feel my jaw tense. Today, Grandpa and Percy Anderson toured our various projects under construction—without Rowena and me.
“Are you worried?” she asks.
“Yes,” I say.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s part of the process,” I say.
As we finish dinner, she says, “They’re going to move these tables to the side so they can open up the dance floor. Should we grab a table by the bar in the front, or do you want to dance?”
“I want to dance with you,” I say.
Her phone beeps. “Iris can’t make it. She has to work late again. Patrick is not going to be happy.” She frowns.
“He must understand.”
