Truly’s dark eyes seem to light up. “Seriously? You really have earned enough to put her through medical school?”
I straighten my shoulders, proud of this accomplishment. “For the most part, yes. She had grants and some scholarship money, and the cost in the UK isn’t the same as it is here. But I’ve earned enough and had some well-paying gigs. I’m almost there.” I rap my knuckles on the bar. “Touch wood.”
“Look, I want to help. I really do. I think it’s great what you’re doing.” She gestures wildly to the bar. “But I have a business, and it’s incredibly time-consuming. Plus, I’m working next weekend. And I’m expanding now to some new concepts. I’ve promised to move up some employees if it all comes together. Gabriella is going to take on more work during the expansion, so I really need to focus on making sure I can win over this new investor. How about I help you find someone instead?”
But she’s the one I need. “Isn’t there anything I could do for you? I could be your guinea pig for new cocktail concoctions. Or what about the new concepts you’re working on? I'm a bit of an expert on New York nightlife and drink culture, pubs, and whatnot. Comes with the job. So you can use me as your lab rat for that too.”
She straightens her spine while lowering her voice to a whisper. “What did you just say?”
“I’ll be your lab rat.”
“That’s brilliant.” Her eyes light up like sparklers. She clasps her hand to her mouth, as if she’s trying to contain her excitement, then she whispers, “That’s what I need. I was going to spend all my time online, researching English pubs. I was even considering a trip. But this is just what I need: my very own pub lab rat.”
I haven’t connected all the dots yet, but there will be time for that. “So you’ll do it? I’ll be your lab rat, and you’ll be my date?”
The door to the bar swings open, and a dozen or so women in slinky tops and tight jeans spill inside.
“Who’s ready to have the best night ever!” one of them announces.
“We have a party of twelve in the reserve room. I need to take care of them. But can you meet me tomorrow to work out a plan? I need on-the-ground research as I work on my pitch for the investor. You help me, I’ll help you. I’m free after my morning booty boot camp, and we’ll go over how this will work. Deal?”
I’m not about to let her wiggle out of it, so I pounce before she can think of a better way to get what she needs. “Absolutely. Have fun working on your booty. Wish I could be there to watch. I mean, exercise. I completely meant to do the boot camp.”
Smiling, she heads to greet the pack of women while I enjoy the view of her boot camp assets.
I return to my drink, savoring every sip because . . . holy shit. She said yes.
I make my way to Nick and Harper. She shoots me a playful grin. “Let me guess—you were at the bar, flirting with Nick’s cousin?”
“Let me answer—I was actually striking a business deal.”
Nick cracks up. “That’s a good one. What are you, angling to write speeches for her to give when she serves cocktails?”
I snap my fingers. “Not a bad idea. I better write that down in my notebook of possible new ventures.”
Harper waves a hand, excitement in her eyes. “Or wait. Maybe you’re going to devise names of cocktails inspired by your blog. Don’t Forget to Hold the Door.”
“Always Offer to Take Her Coat,” Nick offers.
“A Gentleman Rises When a Lady Does,” Harper adds. “Speaking of, I need to call the sitter. Be right back.”
Nick rises when she stands, and I wag a finger at him. “You might think you’re mocking me, but what you’re really doing is proving you read my blog. Admit it—it’s chock-full of the very best advice.”
“It’s not too bad. But seriously, what’s the business deal?”
“Just a project she’ll help me on.”
Nick arches a brow. “Project? Is that code for something else?”
“What would it be code for?”
He scratches his jaw. “Are you forgetting who you’re dealing with? You think I can’t tell you’re hot for her?”
“As if I’d bother to hide it from a former scoundrel such as yourself. But cool your jets—nothing is going to happen.”
I tack on a silent again.
He lifts his glass, pausing before he drinks. “Maybe not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow. But someday.”
I narrow my eyes. “Did you really just quote half of a famous line from Casablanca to me?”
“Yeah. Seems I did. And it seems you’re going to have to sort out the feelings you have for her and what you’re going to do about the fact that her brother has no idea.”
“No idea what?” Harper asks when she returns. “Also, Carson and Skye are fabulous. The sitter said they already fell asleep. They get that from me. It’s my superpower. Sound asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.”
“That is a pretty impressive skill. Ranks right up there with flying and invisibility.”
“I’ll take invisibility,” Nick whispers, as if Harper can’t hear him. “That way I can spy on my wife in the shower anytime.”
She tilts her head. “News flash. You do that already.”
Nick scratches his jaw. “True. I do that daily. It’s good to have a routine.”
“Anyway, what does someone have no idea about?” Harper asks. “Feed me gossip, please.”
“Your husband contends I’m going to have to do something about the fact that Malone supposedly has no idea that I supposedly have a thing for Truly,” I supply. “Which is a lot of supposedlys.”
