There was nothing wrong with what she was saying. Knowing Nick, her wry sense of humor was perfectly justified. And yet, I couldn’t help but chafe against the words.
“It’s no big deal,” I said defensively, trying to keep my voice light as a woman popped up out of nowhere and began painting the nails on my other hand. “Nick and I have known each other for a long time. If he needs a favor—I’m more than willing to help.”
“Yeah—but you kissed him,” Stacy countered. “And it was a very Oscar-worthy performance.”
I paused a beat.
“What can I say? I’m a very good actress.”
“But you kissed your boss.”
“So? It’s just a crazy day’s work. Do you know how many stunts I’ve had to put up with? It’s the price of working for Nick.”
She snorted, wrapping another lock of hair around the iron. “So...you of all people should know how many places that mouth has been.”
The defensiveness fell away, and it was my turn to laugh.
“Oh—coming from you!” I shook my head, earning a slap on the wrist from the manicurist trying to get me to hold still. “The woman who slept with half Greenwich Village.”
She chuckled as well.
“But it’s not the same thing. It’s not about how many people he’s slept with—it’s about the fundamental way he approaches relationships.” She caught my eye in the mirror, studying me appraisingly. “Nick doesn’t date with any intention of a future. The man lives in the moment. In the seven years that I’ve known him, I’ve yet to see him take anyone or anything seriously. His last name sums him up perfectly...HUNTER. He’s a hunter.”
My mouth opened, but for one of the first times, I could think of nothing to say.
She was right. Absolutely right. Nick was a notorious bachelor. He had an international reputation for goodness sake. It didn’t matter whether he’d signed the chocolate card himself, it would be a cold day in hell before Nick Hunter found someone who could hold onto him.
“Good thing it’s just a fake relationship, then,” I said.
“He’s gotta get tired of the hunt one day.”
The others laughed.
My throat tightened, and I pushed the truffles deliberately away—tossing them down upon the coffee table. “It’s not like I’d ever be crazy enough to do anything for real. This is strictly business—nothing more.”
Stacy flashed me a grin. “Of course it is. But in the meantime,” she leaned down and retrieved the truffles, placing them squarely back in my lap, “it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the perks. Right?”
I forced a laugh.
“...right.”
She popped another one in her mouth before returning to my hair. After a second of looking at them, I did the same—snatching up the final caramel before a hand snuck out of nowhere, and the box was passed around by the others. A dozen conversations erupted around me once more, but I found myself quiet and thoughtful—thinking back over what Stacy had said.
Then, as if on cue, my phone buzzed again.
I bet you went for the caramel first.
I stared down at the message, tracing the screen with the tip of a manicured finger, before typing a quick response.
You don’t have to do stuff like this, you know.
This time, the response was almost instantaneous.
Stuff like what?
I stifled a sigh.
Sending me chocolates. There aren’t any cameras around, just our people.