Page 28 of Boss Level

Xander offered me a hand as I lowered myself to sit. “Did it?”

“When I was younger, I thought a picnic was one of the most romantic dates a girl could be taken on.” I decided it was best to move on.

Dominic settled next to me. “This isn’t making you think otherwise, is it? This is romantic. Only the best for my girl.”

The entire setup was actually not bad. Better than that—it was nice. Sitting. Taking a break with the people I trusted most in this world. The people I wanted most.

Where didthatcome from? I shook the errant thought aside. “I have to admit, it’s pretty dope.”

“I can’t believe you just saiddope.” The amusement in Xander’s voice was audible.

I pretended to be surprised. “You’d preferfly?Epic? Extreme?”

Before either of them could reply, a phone rang and we all reached for our own.

“Mine.” Dominic held his up. “It’s Roger.” He answered. The conversation was mostly Dominic listening, but he kept glancing at me.

That put me on edge.

“We can’t, she’s got plans,” he said. “I told you when you—”

“Hang on.” I talked over him.

Covering the mouthpiece, Dominic looked at me.

“I have plans for when?” It wasn’t that I had a problem with Dom turning down events on my behalf, but I was in this specifically for that reason. If we were going to do this engagement thing, we might as well do it, and if he was risking something by me not being available, I could at least try.

“Dinner. Last minute invite from one of Dale’s partners. I told Roger we’re not—”

The feeling ofI shirked my responsibilitywould haunt me if I made Dom miss this. “I’ll do it.”

“It’s tomorrow night.”

“I said I’ll do it.” I wouldn’t leave him hanging.

The way he stared at me, the challenge in his expression, it looked like he was ready to argue. Why was this suddenly so important to me?

I didn’t have words to say beyondI promised to be there for him, and that was important anyway, but suddenly it meant so much more.

11

dominic

Iwas pretty sure I knew why Judith was insisting we make it to dinner—because she felt like she owed it to me. But I’d promised her not during RinCon and Roger had promised me.

I also knew why Roger was asking—he was pulling out all the stops for Dale’s company—but if we weren’t going to draw the line now, before they signed, we were going to have a hell of a time working with them when they were actually clients.

“No.” I told Roger again. “We will not be attending last minute, especially during the holidays, but even if it were the middle of May. I suggest you tell them the same.”

Roger let out a short huff. “I’ll talk to you next week.”

Really? He was going to try to make me feel guilty about this? No. I shoved my phone into my pocket with a scowl.

“So, we’re not going.” Judith’s tone was hard to read.

“No. I’m willing to jump when it’s reasonable, but this… No.” There shouldn’t be a need to say more. They both heard what I told Roger.

The light smile that played on Xander’s face helped unsour my mood. “Fully agree with you,” he said.

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