Page 61 of Captivated By You

I raised my hands to cover my face. “Shit.”

“Ruined a perfectly good Brioni suit, as I recall.”

“I’m so sorry.” I dropped my hands, keeping my eyes averted. “It was my first day, and I was so nervous.”

“You don’t say.”

I caught the teasing note in his tone. Lifting my head, I met his amused gaze.

“I never forget a face.”

“Unlike me,” I mumbled.

Garen laughed. “Don’t sweat it. Shit happens. I’m just relieved I remembered where I knew you from; otherwise, it’d have driven me mad for weeks.”

“In that case, I’m relieved,” Catriona said. “Otherwise, you would have drivenmemad for weeks.”

“You’re still going to work with Ash, though, right?”

Imagine if my mishap all those years ago ruined an excellent opportunity for Ash’s company? Even the idea of it made my palms sweat.

He rubbed his chin. “I’m not sure. I mean, can I expect any more spaghetti-induced incidents?”

“Oh, Garen, stop being such an ass.” Catriona slapped his thigh. “Ignore him. When he behaves like a jerk, that’s what I do.”

“Darling, you wound me.”

Asher caught my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “Thanks for dinner, Garen. I’ll be in touch in the next few days. We still have a lot of details to iron out.” He rose to his feet, taking me with him. “Catriona, it was delightful to meet you. I hope to see you again soon. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have somewhere we need to be.”

He led me from the restaurant and into his waiting car. I heaved a sigh of relief the second the doors closed.

“God, Ash, I’m so sorry.” I’d tried not to embarrass him and spectacularly failed.

Ash tipped back his head and laughed. “I’d have paid a hefty sum to see Garen Gauthier’s face when you dumped that food in his lap.” He laughed again. “You are magnificent.”

“So you’re not mad?”

His forehead wrinkled. “Why would I be mad? I’m relieved. When he said he knew you, I had a horrible thought that you two might have slept together, and that really would have put an end to our business relationship.”

“I think I’d have remembered that. Besides, one billionaire is more than enough.”

“As long as I’m the billionaire in question.”

I snuggled into his side. “The only one for me.”

Chapter19

Kiana

Dear God, don’t let me make a fool of myself, please and thank you.

I checked my watch,frowning. Ash was running late, which wasn’t like him at all.

Digging my phone out of my purse, I checked for a text or a missed call.

Nothing.

How odd.

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