Page 64 of One Wild Wedding Weekend

Her head ached from trying to logically analyze her love life. Maybe that was the bigger problem. Love defied logic.

Daley and Tabby were gathering their things—preparing to leave—when a surprise awaited them. John showed up carrying a fancy new swivel chair with a red bow. “I brought my bride a back-to-school-gift,” he said.

Almost predictably, Tabby burst into tears again.

The panic on John’s face was painful to see. He shot Daley a stunned, questioning glance. “What’s going on?”

“I’ll step into the hall,” Daley said quietly. She squeezed her sister’s arm. “No worries, Tabby. This is a good day, I promise.”

Half an hour later, all three of them walked out into the sunshine. John insisted on carrying his small wife’s voluminous purse and had one arm tucked solicitously around Tabby’s waist.

Daley opened her car door and smiled. “I’m happy for you guys. This is exciting.”

Tabby still seemed unsure, but Daley had a hunch John would be able to change her mood.

He grinned hugely. “Thanks, Daley. And thanks for helping with the classroom. I know Tabby appreciates it.”

Tabby yawned, looking dead on her feet. “I do,” she said. “Bye, love.”

Friday morning, Tristan waltzed into Daley’s office as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She didn’t close the door. That would look suspicious. But she lowered her voice, her eyes wide with shock. “What are you doing here?” she said. “Didn’t we agree to keep things under the radar at work?”

He grinned, perching on the corner of her desk. “I thought we should take the kids out to dinner tonight to celebrate their big news.”

“Oh.” She sighed with relief. “So not a date. Just a platonic family celebration. I get it. Yes. That sounds perfect. Have you asked them?”

“I called a little while ago. They’re both on board. What do you think about Rélajate over on Ponce? It’s a new place. Upscale. Linen tablecloths.”

“Sounds good. But what if I’d had plans?”

He cocked his head, his smile fading. “It’s Friday. I assumed my significant other might want to spend the weekend with me.”

“That’s fair.” She tapped a pencil on her desk. Her blotter pad was covered in doodles. “May I ask you a work-related question, Mr. Hamilton?”

“Knock yourself out.”

“Last Sunday when we went out on the boat with Tabby and John, why did you say that stuff about me helping steer the company in a new direction with you?”

He stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. The door was open. They were still speaking in hushed tones. Anyone walking by would assume the conversation was general and not confidential. But Daley was keenly aware this exchange encompassed many layers of personal.

Tristan’s expression had turned grim. “Because I meant it. It makes perfect sense. We each have areas of expertise that complement the other.”

“But you’re assuming a lot.”

“Such as?” One masculine eyebrow went up. She saw a hint of the arrogant Tristan Hamilton who was accustomed to ruling his domain.

“You know what I mean. I think you’re deliberately sugarcoating this. We can work together in a meaningful way, or we can have a personal relationship. I don’t think both are a possibility.”

His shook his head slowly. “You have a lot of rules in your life, don’t you, Daley? Little boxes and columns and categories? I was thinking big picture. Imagining a future where we both get emotionally invested in Lieberman and Dunn. Silly me, I thought you’d be pleased. But apparently you only have room in your life for a single version of you and me.”

He was irritated. That much was clear.

Her hands fisted in her lap as her stomach clenched. “I’m not saying it couldn’t happen, but what about taking things slowly?”

Now his blue eyes flashed with frustration. “I sincerely doubt any relationship between us can work if you’re always going to be standing on the sidelines so you can have a clear shot at the exit doors.”

“That’s not fair,” she said. The knot in her throat was a grapefruit now.

“Isn’t it?” He glared. “You’ve doubted me from the beginning, and yes, I get it. For good reason. I’m not a poster boy for commitment. But how can you expect that from me when you’re barely willing to dip a toe in the water?” He ran his hands through his hair, ruffling perfection. “At some point, we have to trust each other.”

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