No Strings

“I saw the city gave you the green light.”

“Yeah, about damn time.” I lean back in my chair. “I also looked at the revised plans you sent over. I have a few minor changes I want to discuss, but aside from that, it all looks good.”

“Sounds good.” I expect him to excuse himself to go back to his own office since it’s his first day back and he’s as much of a workaholic as I am, so when a small grin spreads across his face, I know he came here for another reason that has nothing to do with poker or architecture.

“What?”

“Nothing.” He shrugs.

“Sharp, get to whatever point you came here for. I have shit to do.”

Lucas chuckles. “How was your weekend playing tourist with a certain blonde?”

“Fine.”

“Despite my warning, you guys seemed pretty damn close.”

“Are we gossiping like teenage girls now?”

Lucas laughs. “Does that mean there’s something to gossip about?”

“No. We’re friends. No need for a second warning,” I say dryly.

Another laugh. “Friends? Since when do you have friends who are girls?”

I don’t bother to argue because I wouldn’t have a case. I don’t have friends who are girls because I don’t trust women. More often than not, they tend to have ulterior motives. They expect you to read their minds and then get pissed when you can’t. They play games, aren’t up front and honest about what they want, and I don’t have time or the inclination for that nonsense, which is why I have no desire to settle down. I have a business to run and now a son who needs me.

But Savannah… She’s different, but I don’t know why. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe it’s the way she is with Brody. The way she’s connected with him. We spent the entire weekend together, and I should’ve been ready to walk away from her. She should’ve done something, said something to piss me off, but instead, yesterday morning, I was dragging my son out to buy her a goddamn plant, then making plans for dinner. Hell, this morning when I ran into her at the gym, I asked her to come over for dinner again, offering to feed her since she’s been feeding us.

“She’s different.” When Lucas’s brow hits the top of his forehead, I immediately wish I could take my words back. “She’s been really good to Brody,” I explain, trying to backpedal. I ramble on for several minutes about the shit Brody gave his mom and me, how he’s taken to Savannah, and how, in such a short time, he’s done a complete one-eighty, all while hoping Lucas will buy what I’m saying and not ask questions. Because if I’m honest, I don’t have the answers. I don’t do serious, but I can’t get Savannah off my mind. And it’s not just her gorgeous body or beautiful smile, or her sexy Southern accent, or the way she always seems to say what’s on her mind, calling me out on my shit. It’s more… Fuck, I’m screwed.

“So, you’re really just friends,” he says once I’m done speaking.

“Yep, just friends.”

I can see the wheels turning in my best friend’s head, but thankfully, before he can argue or ask questions, there’s a knock on my door.

“Come in!” I call out, assuming it’s my assistant.

The door opens, and not my assistant saunters in wearing a long-sleeved dress—the top half black and white polka-dotted, and the bottom half straight black with a belt that sits just below her tits—that covers the majority of her upper body, yet shows off every delicious curve. My gaze drags down her tanned thighs and lands on her tall heels that make her legs look long and toned. When I rode to work with her this morning, she was wrapped up in a black overcoat, hiding what was underneath.

She’s carrying a bag in one hand, drinks in another, and wears a bright smile. But when she realizes I’m not alone, she stops in her place, her lips curving into a soft frown. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were in a meeting. Your assistant said you were free…”

At her words, Lucas swivels around. “Savy?”

“Lucas,” she says with a sincere smile.

Lucas stands and approaches her. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” They’ve never met?

“You too.” She sets the drinks on the table so she can properly shake his hand while I get up and head over to them, taking the bag from her and setting it on the table.

“What are you doing here?” Lucas’s tone is casual even though he’s digging.

As if suddenly remembering he’s her boss, her blue eyes widen slightly. “Oh, umm…” She darts her gaze back and forth between us before settling on him. “I’m on my lunch break. I wrote down the time like we’re supposed to, and I’ll be back in—”