Page 90 of Mr. Hook-up

Drake patted his shoulder the moment he faced her again. “How are things back home? How’s the team? I miss everyone so much.”

I wasn’t surprised by the change in her voice and how much she cared for the people she used to work with; I just hadn’t realized until now how much they actually meant to her.

“They’re missing you,” he replied. “We all are, but I know many of them have reached out since you left. You’ve been a lifesaver, I can tell you that. One issue after the next, and no one has been able to fill your role.”

She beamed from the compliment. “Someone will come along soon, I’m sure of that. Regardless, I’m happy to help. I know what it’s like to need answers and not be able to get them. I’m always here for you guys.”

“You should see what’s happening at work.” He shifted his stance. “You know, the rollout and how it’s all come together.” He shoved a hand into his pocket, and the other went to his chin, holding it as he looked at her. “We’ve done some initial testing across a few markets. You’d be so proud with the results.”

Her head shook. “I’m thrilled it went so well. We worked hard on those designs. I’d be crushed if it wasn’t received the way I wanted.”

“It’s going to launch across all markets in the next couple of months. I’ll ping you on Faceframe when it hits the US to make sure you see it.”

She folded her hands together, holding them near her chest. “It’s going to be wonderful. I’m so excited for the team.”

He took a quick glance at me, like the motherfucker had forgotten I was standing here. “Does it feel good to be back in Boston? Closer to Saara”—his voice lowered—“and Mom?”

He knew about her family, something that felt slightly unsettling in my stomach. Saara was one thing, Drake talked about her constantly, but her mother was a topic she didn’t bring up often.

“Yes! You have no idea how much I love being back on the East Coast.” She glanced at me, a softness moving through her eyes. “And I’m positively in love with my new job.”

Jeremy chuckled. “I’m sure your boss enjoys hearing that, don’t you, Easton?” He didn’t give me time to respond before he said, “It was great catching up with you, Drake. I’m sure I’ll be talking to you at some point soon.” He gave her another hug and shook my hand.

Drake watched him leave, finally saying to me, “Do you want to go back to the hotel and change our clothes or go for a walk and stumble upon something to eat?”

The idea of having fresh air sounded more appealing, but I still replied, “So, Jeremy, huh?”

She playfully slapped my chest. “Come on, I get the feeling we could both use a walk.” We were at least a block from the conference center when she looped her arm through mine. “Jeremy came to work for Faceframe about a year after me. I’ve known him almost my whole career.”

“He worked under you?”

“I was his boss, yes, but it was nothing like you and me. Not a single thing ever happened between us—”

“I didn’t ask.”

“You didn’t have to. I see it all over your face.” She looked straight ahead. “I never dated anyone from Faceframe, but I think I told you that before. Besides, Jeremy is very married and has the loveliest wife.” She paused as we moved around a group of tourists. “My team worked closely together, the same way we do at Hooked. When that happens, you get to know them on a different level. They’re family.” She smiled, now giving me a side-eye. “Like David’s been dating a woman on and off for years who he met on Hooked. And my new hire, Nicole, has three kids and has been with her wife since they were sixteen.”

“And how Saara’s your family and you’re pleased to be near your mom’s memory.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not sensing any jealousy, am I?”

I laughed. “No. But the dude finds you hot as hell.” I unraveled our arms so I could finally grab her ass. “As he should, because you’re hot as hell.”

She swiped the air with her hand. “Nonsense—on the Jeremy part.”

“Admittedly, I’m not upset to hear that he never laid a hand on you.”

“Never.” She stretched her arm across my lower back, holding one of my belt loops on the other side. “But it was good to see him. I miss that family we had. In the years I worked there, we all went through a lot together.” She’d looked away, but her attention returned to me. “The biggest relief is to know I’m building the same thing at Hooked. Like I said the other night, I’m forming something there and it feels amazing.”

“Roots.”

She nodded. “That.” We were approaching the crosswalk when she said, “What’s on the agenda for tomorrow? I know your assistant sent an itinerary, but there weren’t times or major details listed, just a few of the locations we’d be stopping at.”

I reached for her free hand and brought it up to my mouth, kissing the back of it. “Since breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, I thought we’d start there.”

We stopped at the end of the block, and she turned toward me. “What would make you think that?”

“Whenever we go out for brunch, you only ever order breakfast, never lunch, and if there’s going to be a meal you miss, it’s not the first one of the day.” I licked my lips while I stared at her. “Plus, I’ve never seen anyone look at a plate of home fries and a cranberry mimosa as longingly as you do.”

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