Handle With Care (Shacking Up 5)

Gwendolyn leans back in her chair and smiles. “Now about the event, I’m aware all invitations include a plus-one, but since you’re technically working, I’ll assume you’ll be attending alone.” The way she says it indicates that’s the expectation.

“I hadn’t planned to bring a date.” It seems pointless when I’ll be spending my time trying to keep Armstrong from hitting on everything with a pulse.

“Good, good. That’s wonderful news. With this being Lincoln’s first charity event, I need you focused on him, not on entertaining someone else.” Her nose wrinkles, sort of. “Besides, you and Lincoln have been spending a lot of time together. We wouldn’t want people to make inappropriate assumptions.”

“Inappropriate assumptions?” I fight with my fingers to keep from tapping the arm of my chair.

“You know how people speculate. There have been some pictures of you and Lincoln recently, very helpful in building his popularity in the media, especially with the makeover. He looks very much a part of this family again, so job well done there.” She taps on her keyboard and turns her monitor so I can see what she’s talking about. There are several pictures of Lincoln and me together over the past couple of weeks. Most of them are taken as we’re leaving his penthouse or entering the Moorehead Media building, but there are a few of me adjusting his tie or his lapels and they’re almost … intimate. And the look on Lincoln’s face is quite riveting.

She turns the screen away and inspects the image, and then me. It makes me nervous. Have I been lusting after him in my dreams lately? Maybe a little. Okay, maybe a lot. But they’re just dreams, they don’t mean anything. We spend a lot of time together, and he’s attractive. It’s not really much of a surprise that he’s weaseled his way into my subconscious.

Ever since the incident in his office, I’ve been trying to convince myself that him telling me I was the only good thing about working here was purely to assuage my ego. That he didn’t almost kiss me. That I didn’t fully invite him to—thankfully not with actual words.

I swallow down my embarrassment. I need to have a closer look at the pictures that have gone up lately, specifically the ones not posted by me. “Does that mean Lincoln won’t be bringing a plus-one either?”

“I haven’t had a chance to discuss it with him. I can’t tell you the number of women who have expressed interest in him since his return to New York. I’m sure he’ll be making the most eligible bachelor’s list at some point. He really is such a handsome man.” Her expression flattens, and she gets a faraway look in her eyes. “Just like his father was.”

I wonder if I’ve misread Gwendolyn, and she really did love Fredrick. She almost looks sad.

She turns her smile back on me. “You’ll need to check with Lincoln regarding his plus-one situation and do a background check on whoever he’s bringing. I’d hate for his date to undo all the good this charity event will do for his image by having a questionable past.”

“Of course. I can check with him now. Would you like me to do the same with Armstrong?”

“Oh! No, that will be unnecessary. Armstrong has been sorted out already. However, if Lincoln doesn’t have a date lined up yet, I have a few prospective women who would be a good fit.” She pushes a folder toward me.

“I’m sorry, but does this mean you’d like him to have a date? Won’t he be busy with networking?” I’m confused about this whole thing, frankly.

“Mmm. I think so, yes. He will be busy, but it would be a good idea for him to have someone respectable on his arm. It will help dispel any potential speculation about the two of you. Regardless of whether he chooses one from this list or a date of his own, I’d like you to ensure whoever he’d like to bring doesn’t have any demons to uncover.” She steeples her hands and smiles. “You’re doing a fabulous job, Wren. I’m sure with a bit more time and energy, I’ll be able to put in that recommendation for the position with the charity of your choice. I believe you’re interested in the Pediatric Foundation, is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right, thank you. I truly appreciate your support, Gwendolyn.” I take the folder, displeased that I have to deal with this now. “Will there be anything else?”

“That’s it for now.” She turns back to her computer, effectively dismissing me.

Once I’m out of her office, I flip open the folder. There are at least half a dozen profiles of women in their mid-to-late twenties. All from exceedingly rich families. My stomach twists at the thought that Lincoln might actually have a date lined up for this event, and if he doesn’t, Gwendolyn wants me to set him up with one of these women.