“Guess I hoped you’d be on your best behavior, seeing as it was your first date and all,” Zach quipped back.
She remembered every wonderful non-gentlemanly thing he’d done to her. Right now, she was seriously hoping tonight would lead to a repeat performance. Patton wasn’t looking at her anymore. He was no longer restlessly tapping his fingers. Instead his hand was fisted on the table.
“So, you’re a couple, too?” Carolina asked.
“No,” Zach answered quickly.
“Zach and I thought they might hit it off,” Bianca sighed. “But we were wrong.”
“It wasn’t a total disaster,” Cady teased. Patton was looking at her then, she could feel it. “We had a nice meal, a short yet direct conversation. But we skipped dessert.” She knew she was playing with fire. “Speaking of dessert, this cake is fabulous.”
“It is. But my cousin Diandra has a bakery. You know how GG is about family working together.” But Bianca didn’t look very enthusiastic.
Cady’s phone vibrated again. This time it was one word.
Hello?
“Excuse me,” Cady sighed, taking her phone to find a nice, quiet place to deal—as calmly as possible—with the man who might hold the key to her promotion.
* * *
PATTON COULDN’T CATCH a break. Not at work. Not at home.
Even though he did his best not to react to Cady, he was aware of everything she said or did. Her throaty laugh, her quick comebacks, the gentle smile she had for Bianca. The tenderness on her face as she melted into Bianca’s hug gripped at some cold place in his chest. And every time she tucked that bold strand of blond hair behind her ear, his body reacted.
She had a piece of sugar stuck to her upper lip. He had a hard enough time not staring at her mouth without the sparkling sweetness taunting him.
He had to get control. His body’s ready-and-willing response to her was bad enough. He had no right to get furious over some guy texting her. She wasn’t his. He had no claim on her. Even if he did, his anger wasn’t okay. But in the five seconds before Charles was established as the tool coworker that drove Cady crazy, Patton wanted to track him down and beat him senseless.
He watched Cady make her way from the room, the sway of her hips causing him to take a long, slow drink of ice water. He was on fire, willing to follow her just so he could touch her... He was in serious trouble.
“I left the samples in my office,” Carolina said, interrupting his thoughts. “Let me get them and we can talk about how you’d like the space arranged. You can finish up your cake. Patton, would you like anything else?” Her blue eyes waited.
“I’m good,” he answered, acutely uncomfortable. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be back.” Carolina stood, one hand resting on his shoulder for a brief moment before she left.
“Wow.” Zach laughed. “Pretty sure you could get us a discount.”
“Zach!” Bianca had a horrified expression on her face.
“It’s the least we can do, Bianca. After he and Cady’s miserable date, we should set him up with someone who’s willing to show my big brother a good time.” He pointed after Carolina. “I’m thinking she’s got the hots for you, bro.”
Patton frowned at his brother. Carolina Vincent? She wasn’t the woman he wanted to have a good time with.
“Patton?” Bianca asked. “I am really sorry about that.”
“What?” he asked, a little too gruffly.
“You and Cady. It was my idea. One I sort of forced on Zach. I have this idea that people are meant to find a partner. Maybe it’s an only-child thing?” She shrugged.
“Or your family being matchmakers?” Zach interjected.
“Or that.” Bianca grinned. “I know Cady can be...outspoken. But she has the biggest, most loyal heart. Zach said—”
“You were a jerk,” Zach interjected.
Bianca smiled. “You two wouldn’t hit it off, but I hoped—”