Page 68 of His Forever Girl

Josh wore a jaunty hat that should have looked ridiculous but somehow went perfectly with his atypically dark, somber suit. Monique rolled her eyes at her husband’s trademark joviality and got down to her trademark sharkiness. “Graham will be here looking to get chummy with Miles. I think I’ve got him in our corner, but I want you to do a little hustling. I sent him our sketches a few days ago.”

Tess smiled. “So you liked the sketches?”

Something in Monique’s eyes glittered. “I sent him the best sketches. You did well, Tess.”

Pleasure bloomed inside Tess at her boss’s vote of confidence. She’d had to work to earn the Oedipus account and obviously it had paid off. “Float sketches are like Christmas morning to Miles. He’ll get back to us soon.”

“But as added insurance, don’t be afraid to kiss his ass a little bit. Where is Miles, by the way?” Monique perused the room like a pro. Tess did the same and that’s when she caught sight of Graham.

Her heart leaped so hard in her rib cage she pressed a hand to her chest. He looked so damn good she wanted to run and throw herself on him, maybe dropping various pieces of clothing along the way.

Tall, dark, and so good-looking it should have been against the law, Graham had heads turning. The sudden feminine interest caught Monique’s attention too, and she spun toward the entrance.

“Ah, the wonder boy himself. Speeding up heartbeats,” Monique said under her breath.

Josh peered around Tess and gave a shrug. “Don’t know why you think he would change now.”

Monique patted Josh’s hand as if she worried about his insecurity. “Now, Josh, being devastatingly handsome is not all it’s cracked up to be.”

“Bite your tongue, woman,” Nick piped up, finally, turning to his good side and giving Monique one of his charming grins. Yeah, he was over the “just friends” speed bump.

Graham caught sight of them and moved their way. His stride was purposeful and naturally elegant. The same navy suit he’d worn for his interview—that had lain in her polka-dotted chair—stretched the breadth of his torso, the same classic tie lay against snowy pressed white. Same wing tips, same icy blue eyes, same response inside Tess. Shivers.

“Evening,” he said, with a nod to Monique, his eye snagging on Nick who still grinned like a jackanapes. “How is Upstart this fine evening?”

Monique looked nonchalant. “We’re just dandy, Mr. Naquin.”

“I’m not dandy,” Josh said, with a secret smile. “I’m thirsty. Grab you a beer, Graham?”

“Sure.”

“I know what you like.” Josh headed to the bar, looking relieved to escape.

Graham held out a hand to Nick. “I’m Graham Naquin.”

Nick took his hand, a flicker of a frown marring his all-American good looks. “Nick Ashley.”

And then silence so uncomfortable it might have been improved by a dog licking itself… or a kid picking his nose… or Nick saying, “I’m Tess’s boyfriend.”

“What?” Graham and Tess asked at the same time.

Monique raised her eyebrows.

“No, he’s not,” Tess clarified, smiling as if it were a joke. “He’s kidding around.”

“Okay, I used to be Tess’s boyfriend,” Nick said, winding his arm around Tess’s waist again and tugging her against him.

Mood had gone from uncomfortable to knife-in-the-eye excruciating. Like a hound sizing up the competition over a bone, Graham eyed Nick. In fact, he looked as if he might rip Nick’s arm off and beat him with it at any minute.

Aww… Graham was jealous. Warmth washed over Tess and she removed Nick’s hand from her waist.

Monique studied the three of them, narrowing her eyes.

“How interesting.”

“Yes, but we haven’t been together since last year,” Tess said, searching for some other way to lighten the moment. Or maybe she should just run. “I think I’ll find Josh and trade in this cocktail for something stronger.”

Nick looked down at the untouched cocktail in her hand. “You haven’t even taken a sip.”

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