Page 56 of The Texan's Secrets

“Yes. I also told her you were schmoozing me because I was an investor.”

“You are an investor.”

“I let her think I’d invested as soon as you opened the stock to the public.” He moved with her toward the door that led to the hallway.

“Smart,” she said with a considered nod. “I’m guessing you two didn’t just happen to meet up somewhere for breakfast?”

He gave her a warning look as he opened the door.

“Purely a professional interest,” she said airily. “You’re both adults.”

“That’s right.”

“But will the details be included in your written field test report?” She was smirking now.

“Not a chance. And there won’t be a written field test report.”

Her brows knit together in confusion. “I’m quite sure you agreed to submit a written report.”

He knew he hadn’t signed up for that kind of extra work. And he knew his sister. She was trying to corner him into something he hadn’t agreed to.

He redirected the conversation. “Chase was there too. He spent the night with Emilia’s roommate, Paris.”

The interest in Misha’s voice rose as she turned into her office space.“Really.”

Nico waited until they’d passed by her admin assistant and entered the inner office. “Yes, he was.”

“Both couples after the launch party? Nico, is there some secret, next-level coding in Surprise Me! that you didn’t tell me about?”

Nico cracked a smile. “Emilia posed that same question. I wish I was that smart.”

“You’re plenty smart.”

“Well, there’s no next-level algorithm pushing logical matches and making them look random.” He sat in one of the guest chairs while Misha settled behind the desk.

“Would you tell me if there was?” she asked. “Because I heard reports that another couple checked into a hotel after the party. Three out of ten is a whole lot more than random.”

“Are you spying on the Surprise Me! couples?” Nico’s thoughts went to his own privacy.

“Please. Royal’s a small enough town. And the event was trending during the party. People see things. People tell me things.”

The admin assistant appeared in the open doorway. “You have a message from Maggie Del Rio. She tried your cell while you were in the budget meeting.”

“Is it urgent?”

“Something about the wedding.”

“That might be urgent.” Misha picked up her phone as her assistant walked away. “Did you see the share price today?” she asked Nico while the call rang through.

He shook his head.

She smiled and jabbed toward the ceiling with her thumb. “Hey, Maggie. What’s up?” Misha paused, then her smile disappeared. “No way.”

Nico came alert.

“Was there much damage?” She paused to listen.

He raised his brow in Misha’s direction, hoping she’d let him know if Maggie was in trouble.

---