I dialed the first number on the list. It was his private line, and he picked up on the first ring.

“This is Xavier Castillo,” I said, hoping to God I wouldn’t regret this down the road. “Are you free next week? I’d like to talk.”

CHAPTER 18

Sloane

“I’m sorry. Back the fuck up.” Isabella held up one hand. “You can’t not elaborate on Spain. What happened with Xavier after he carried you out like an extremely hot caveman?”

I sighed, regretting my decision to fill my friends in on the past two weeks. I’d flown to Spain at the beginning of the month, but it felt like a lifetime ago. “That’s your takeaway? Did you miss the part about Alberto Castillo’s death?”

“Yes, it’s very sad,” Isabella said. “Now, about the beach.

What did he say?”

“Was he jealous?” Vivian added.

“Did you two kiss?” Alessandra asked.

I glared at them, wishing past me had had the foresight to befriend less nosy people.

“I’m not telling you what he said, he has no reason to be jealous, and absolutely not,” I said, appalled. “He’s a client.”

The four of us were enjoying “happy hour” with homemade cocktails, takeout, and a new rom-com at my apartment. Normally, we’d go out, but I was too tired after work and my recent travels.

Looking back, I would’ve canceled our plans had I known I would be subjected to an interrogation.

“Technically, his family is your client. It’s not the same thing, and you should totally kiss him. He’s so cute.” Isabella stretched her arms over her head and glanced fondly at my goldfish, whom she’d taken care of during my time abroad.

He was a temporary pet I’d adopted after the previous tenant left him behind five years ago, hence why I’d simply named him The Fish. There was no use attaching sentimentality to something that wouldn’t last.

“Regardless, I wouldn’t kiss Xavier Castillo if he were the last man on earth,” I said coolly. “He is not my type.”

He’s also gorgeous, and kind, and smarter than people give him credit for, a voice sang in my head.

I pressed the tip of my pen against my notepad with more force than necessary. Shut up.

Sure, Xavier and I had reached a tentative understanding after Colombia. And yes, I was helping him fulfill the inheritance clause, which might be ethically murky since I was on the committee, but the will never stated members couldn’t assist.

Besides, from a PR perspective, the story of a prodigal party son turned responsible business owner was gold, so I was technically just doing my job.

Sure. The same annoying voice tittered. That’s why you’re helping him. Because of your job.

I said shut. UP.

I was so distracted by the shit stirrer in my head that I almost missed Alessandra’s next words.

“Maybe he’s not your type, but never say never.” Her blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “I think he has a thing for you. I’ve seen him staring at you at multiple events over the years. He can’t look away.”

“Not you too.” I gave up writing my review and exchanged my pen for wine. “We’re not in middle school. He doesn’t have a ‘thing’ for me, and he stares at me because…well, who knows why he does the things he does?”

The twinkle grew brighter. “If you say so.”

She sounded suspiciously like my internal voice.

Isabella, Vivian, and I had been a trio for years before we brought Alessandra into the fold, but she fit into the group seamlessly. I liked her as much as I could like any human (most of whom were deeply unlikable), but I did not appreciate being ganged up on.

“Perry Wilson never elaborated on that beach picture he posted,” Isabella mused. “God, we never see the good stuff.”

“Don’t talk to me about Perry Wilson.” I was still devising a plan to dethrone that sniveling, slandering toad. “Mark my words. By this time next year, his blog will be dead. I’ll make sure of it.” No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full. Lucius Cornelius Sulla’s self-written epitaph.

There was a reason it was one of my favorite quotes. “Anyway, on to cheerier topics,” I said. “How’s Josephine?”

Josephine, or Josie, was Vivian and Dante’s daughter. She was less than two months old, and she already had her parents wrapped around her tiny finger.

“She’s great. I mean, she cries all the time, and I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in a month, but…” A smile touched Vivian’s lips. “It’s worth it.”

I suppressed a grimace. Josie was adorable, but if I didn’t love her and her mother so much, the mushiness would make me gag. “It’s hard being away from her, but she’s in good hands.

Greta fusses over her like she’s her own daughter,” Vivian added. Greta was her housekeeper and Dante’s de facto mother since his parents were too busy gallivanting around the world to be, well, parents.

“And Dante?” Isabella’s eyes sparkled. “How’s he doing?” “He thinks Josie or I will break if he looks away for more than five minutes.” Vivian rolled her eyes, but her voice was filled with affection. “Did I tell you he tried to hire bodyguards to stand outside her room twenty-four seven? I swear…”

My phone pinged with a new text while my friends teased her about Dante’s legendary overprotectiveness. He terrified pretty much everyone around him, but when it came to his wife and daughter, he was a teddy bear.

XAVIER

Can you meet me at Valhalla in an hour? I have some important updates

XAVIER

P.S. I talked to Kai

My heart skipped a beat.

I wasn’t sure if I’d overstepped by asking Kai for help, but I trusted him, and Xavier needed assistance beyond what I could give.

Important updates. Did that mean he’d committed to a plan? I’d held off on pushing him about it because 1) I had a ton of work to catch up on at the office, and 2) I didn’t want to spook him.

But the clock was ticking, and he needed to get moving if he wanted to meet the May deadline.

“Sloane? Everything okay?” Alessandra asked.

“Yes.” I tore my eyes from my phone. “Everything’s fine.”

As curious as I was about Xavier’s updates, it was girls’ night. He could wait.