Faking It with the Frenemy

I resist an urge to recoil. “I’m already in a relationship.” And it’d be nice if you’d start talking about the stupid business thing, so I can get my job done and leave.

He gives me an insouciant look that I’m sure he imagines is sexy. “And…?”

It takes some serious black magic to make prime otoro and chutoro taste bad, but Churchill’s succeeding simply by being in the same room. “And that means I’m unavailable.”

Churchill laughs. “That’s hilarious.”

It’d be really hilarious if I stabbed you in the face with my chopsticks. I keep the thought to myself, though. Salazar really doesn’t like blood. It’s a difficult stain to deal with.

“Hey, Kim!”

I turn at the familiar voice and see Wyatt waving and coming over. Relief flows through me. He’s such a welcome sight compared to the grossness of Churchill. Wyatt’s standing with another man I only know from articles—David Darling, an extremely eligible billionaire bachelor from the East Coast.

I wave at Wyatt, a smile breaking over my face. “What are you doing here?”

“Lunch.” His gaze is sharp as a scalpel as he looks at Churchill. I’m surprised the old perv doesn’t start bleeding. “David’s assistant Erin said this is a great place for it.”

Ah. He must’ve had Erin find out where my boss and I were having the business lunch. Good assistants can do the job, but great assistants can find out anything about anyone.

Wyatt places a possessive hand on my shoulder and gently squeezes, communicating that he’s here to reinforce me in case Churchill gets gross. I sigh inwardly. My hero.

“And I need to give you this.” He hands me the key to Dane’s storage. “Figured I’d do it in person.”

I smile like a teenager with a crush. I can’t help my reaction. I love it that he came here, so I could see him before he leaves for Virginia.

“Are you guys dating?” Salazar asks, entirely too jovial.

“Yes,” I say. He’s bound to find out sooner or later, if not from me, then from Dane maybe.

My boss beams. “You went above and beyond, Kim. But I approve anyway. I love playing Cupid.” He turns to Wyatt. “You can thank me. She’s a gem.”

Salazar’s no Cupid, but I wisely say nothing. It doesn’t hurt anyone to let him be smug.

Wyatt smiles. “’Preciate it, Salazar. I couldn’t have reconnected with Kim without you.”

“I know,” Salazar says, apparently having missed “reconnected” in Wyatt’s thanks. “I love a good romance. Now, thank me with the best bottle of scotch money can buy. Kim will give you options.”

I almost roll my eyes at how shameless he is, but my mind is already making a list of suitable options because nothing less will make Salazar happy.

Wyatt laughs. “Will do.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

Kim

I love Fridays, but today is extra s

pecial. Not only is Wyatt coming back from his business trip to Virginia, I’m getting my bonus payment today!

After I sort out the agenda with Salazar, I check my bank account to see if it’s hit yet.

Yes! My heart beats with giddiness. Look at all those precious zeros!

I did it. I’ll never have to be like my mom and depend on some man for financial security, worrying endlessly about every little line on my face or extra ounce of weight.

But… As the excitement wears off, I realize the number is wrong. Not that it’s too small…it’s too…large?

Maybe I’m not doing the math right. I grab a calculator, run the numbers… Still too much. Did the payroll people make a mistake and forget to withhold the proper amount? I don’t want Uncle Sam coming after me in April. I prefer not to have a refund, but I don’t want to owe either.