“So what are you doing?” Mia leaned forward, her eyes wide. “It’s something you don’t want your brothers to know about, so it has to be good. Come on, tell me, I’m all ears.”
Becca took a deep breath. “I’m going to Charleston to a charity ball.”
“Oh wow!” Mia grinned. “What kind of charity?”
Becca blinked. “I’ve no idea.” She needed to find out. No doubt there would be a silent auction and other fundraising – she’d need to donate something.
“I didn’t really care about the charity,” Mia admitted, threading her fingers together, her gaze fixed avidly on Becca. “What I’m more interested in is why you don’t want your brothers to find out.”
Because they’ll tear Daniel apart with their bare hands. No, that wasn’t right. Her brothers may have been like overprotective bears, but she couldn’t picture them hurting Daniel. He was a stalking lion. He’d dance around them then bite until they bled.
She shivered. “I’m going with Daniel.” Sometimes honesty was the best policy. Except where her brothers were concerned.
“What?”
“You want me to repeat it?” Becca clenched her teeth.
“Daniel. As in Daniel Carter?” Mia blinked. “Our boss, Daniel Carter?”
“That’s the guy. Tall, dark, and always grimacing.” Becca bit down a smile at that description. Add devastatingly handsome and it would be him to a ‘T’.
“Okay, we need to back up. I’m completely confused. You hate Daniel. Or at least I thought you did. And you told me the feeling was mutual.”
“It is.” Becca nodded, her expression serious.
A slow smile broke out on Mia’s lips. “Oh my god, you like each other.”
Becca’s chest tightened. “I’m not sure like is the right word,” she said, not ready to admit that. “There’s just this thing. I don’t know.” She shook her head. “It’s like wanting something and not wanting it.” She was still waiting for the not wanting part. Maybe it would come after the weekend.
One night together. Would it be enough?
Mia’s mouth dropped open. “Oh shit. You hate-like him.” She shook her head.
“Is that bad?”
“It’s the worst. You need to tell me everything now. How did he end up asking you to the ball?”
Mia listened as Becca described her trip to Charleston to deliver Daniel’s medication. Their strange and loaded evening out with his family. And that elevator kiss.
“Whoa, they make you Hartsons sound like the Waltons,” Mia said after Becca told her about Melissa and her early morning hotel room visit.
Becca’s brows knit together. “That’s kind of what I said.”
Mia chuckled. “So this weekend is all you’re going to have? You go to the ball with him, he gets the go ahead for the new single malt from his family, then you come back here like nothing ever happened. No dating, no relationship, just boss and employee?”
“That’s pretty much it.” When Mia said it out loud it sounded stupid. Even if there was no other choice. “He’s made it clear he’s not interested in a relationship.”
“How about you?” Mia asked softly, tipping her head to the side.
Becca shrugged. “It is what it is. I get to play Cinderella for the night, and mingle with the rich and benevolent of Charleston. Then I leave and come home. Nothing changes.” She shrugged. “I couldn’t cope with his mood swings anyway.” Lies, all lies.
Mia eyed her carefully. “I’m worried you’re going to get hurt. And then Cam finds out and I’m going to get hurt for not telling him about all this.”
Reaching out across the table, Becca squeezed her friend’s hand. “Nobody’s going to get hurt.”
Mia squeezed her hand back. “If you’re sure…”
“I am.”