Page 10 of The Man She Loves to Hate

“You tell me.” He let that comment dangle. “I fell into this business, but I don’t regret it.”

Rylee had fallen into her career as well. It was odd learning all that they had in common. She’d relegated Trick toThe Enemyand frankly, was more comfortable with that dynamic than the idea of them on the same side.

“I should go to the office. I have a handful of emails to return I’ve been putting off.” She reached down and massaged her heel. At least she’d be sitting behind a desk for a few hours and could stop walking around in these stupid shoes.

“They have a spa in our hotel. You should book a massage and a foot soak. You deserve it, considering the hell you put your feet through.”

“I paid a lot of money for these shoes.” She stood, wincing as one of those very expensive shoes pinched her pinky toe.

“You’re worth the pampering, Peaches. Want me to schedule it for you?”

“No.”But she spoke the word around a small smile. What was it with this guy? Did he cast a spell on everyone he met? She’d been determined to dislike him before they’d struck this bargain and was losing that battle gradually.One Bellini at a time.

He gathered up their trash and the flutes and followed her inside.

“Are you coming to the office with me?”

“Only temporarily. I have a drone to unpack.”

She stopped short of unlocking the door. “You have a drone?”

“Yeah. For overhead shots. It’s fun. You want to drive?”

“No.”

“You are way too comfortable with that word, Peaches. When’s the last time you said yes?”

Door open, she turned to face him. He was close, within kissing distance if one was considering kissing him...which she wasnot. She propped a hand on the doorknob effectively blocking his path into the office.

“Mr. MacArthur, the most effective way to persuade me to say yes would be if you asked if you can leave early, stay out of the way, or be a no-show to the wedding and reception.”

He shook his head slowly. “You’re wrong about that, Ms. Meadows. The most effective way to persuade you to say yes is to stay in your space as much as possible. You’ve already said yes to dinner, yes to sharing a car, and yes to brunch.”

She had. She didn’t like the reminder that she was losing her willpower where he was concerned. “Only because you said yes to me first.”

“Know what else?” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “I don’t think you mind me in your space. I think you mightlikeme in your space. I think—”

She lifted her hand and pressed her fingertips against his lips. Her heart raced at the touch, more intimate than she’d anticipated. His lips flinched into a half-smile.

“Are you through?” she whispered.

“Nope.” He moved her hand aside. “Just getting started.”

Ariana Ramos had a great laugh. It was nearly impossible not to join in, or at least smile with her. Especially over video call, which was how Rylee had reached out. “Rye, this is why I pay you. I trust you.”

Rylee released the tension from her shoulders, relieved to have finally confessed about the arrangement with Trick. “I’m glad to hear that you aren’t upset. I sort of proceeded without you.”

Ari had stayed resolutely silent while Rylee had explained the situation, and when Ari’s facial expression remained neutral, Rylee had felt the need to explainmore. When she’d finally stopped explaining, Ari fingered her short hair and let out another laugh that lifted her cheeks.

“I’ll be honest with you, I was paranoid for a while that he was going to swoop in and ruin everything. Now that I know you have him under control, I am almost excited to meet this man.” Ari lowered herself onto a tuffet in what Rylee recognized as Natalie Valentine’s bridal shop.

Rylee wouldn’t say that she had Trick “under control” but she wasn’t going to volunteer that information.

“He’s won over my unflappable wedding planner? Unheard of!”

Since Rylee and Ariana had become friends over the course of planning this wedding, Rylee knew to take that as a compliment. She kept her polite smile, but an old wound that lived within her had opened up at the mention of the word “unflappable.” It inferred a rigidity that Louis had pointed out often in their relationship. In a way, Trick had pointed that out as well.

“It’s less about winning me, or you and Xavier, over and more about him agreeing to behave and share only the footage of the wedding plans rather than the wedding itself.”

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