Page 15 of The Boyfriend Material Novellas

This is good—concentrate on the work connection. Plus, I like her question. “For starters, they’re top talent. I absolutely love working with overachievers.”

“Definitely. Because then they inspire you too.”

I smile, loving that she gets it. “Yes. When they’re committed to giving all on the field, it drives me to do even better for them.”

“And you’ve always been driven,” she says, lifting a finger to make a point as we reach the crosswalk. “Well, I presume so. You don’t get to the Super Bowl without being driven.”

I gesture to her. “Or become one of New York’s best event planners.”

She stops in her tracks, grabs my elbow, and cracks up. “Oh my God, you’re hilarious.”

“What’s so funny?”

“Did you really just compare what I do to what you do? You’re a sweetheart, but you don’t have to say that.”

I shoot her a confused look. “I meant it as a compliment. A legit compliment.”

“Oh, sure. I’m the Tom Brady of party planners,” she says with a straight face.

“Quinn, don’t sell yourself short. I looked you up after we met, and you have insane online reviews.”

Her green eyes seem to twinkle, maybe with surprise. “You did?”

I nod, owning it. “Didn’t expect that, did you?”

She purses her lips, then shakes her head, like she’s reining in a smile. “Really? But still, you don’t have to compare me to top athletes.”

“Why not? You’re top in your field. And want to know what else I learned when I looked you up?”

“Maybe . . .?”

I point at her, at this gorgeous, confident, kind woman standing beneath a string of icicle lights on a New York street corner. “Your clients love you. The things they’ve said about you in reviews are terrific. You should be proud of what you’ve built.”

Her smile is as wide as the city block, as bright as the Christmas lights in the shop window. “Thank you. I’m completely flattered.”

“I was impressed.” As we resume our pace, I rattle off more of what her clients said online. “I cannot even begin to express how happy I am that we hired Quinn.That was one.She’s thorough, organized, calm, and an utter delight.And another said,The party was amazing, thanks to Quinn. Also, she’s naturally festive.”

“I can’t believe you found all that,” she says softly. A faint blush sneaks across her cheeks as we turn onto the next block.

“Am I embarrassing you?”

She shakes her head, her eyes widening. “No. It’s just sort of . . . unexpected. I don’t think I’ve ever been complimented on my business by someone—”

She cuts herself off, and I’m not sure how she was planning on finishing that sentence, but I’m sure of what I want her to say—by someone I’m interested in.

That’s the problem.

Try as I might to deny and resist, I want her to feel the same unexpected attraction to me as I do to her.

I want her to grab my shirt, meet my gaze with fire in her eyes, and say,You know what, Vaughn? You’re great, and I’d like you to take me home tonight and make sure I’m nowhere this year but on the naughty list.

And I’d reply,Consider it done.

Then on Monday, I’d give her brother a courtesy heads-up. That’s how you do these things. If you date your business partner’s sister, you let him know.

But that’s not what’s happening.

Instead, I return to the topic of work, hoping it will return the focus to the reason we’re here. “How did you wind up in event planning? Is it because—wild guess—you like to plan?”

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