Thirst (The Calvettis of New York 1)

“Palla!” A woman’s voice rises above the noise in the café. “Shipment’s here.”

“I have to go.” She gives Dexie’s hand another squeeze before she pats my shoulder. “A woman’s work is never done.”

I watch her walk away and then take my seat.

“The last time I was in here, Palla was pregnant with her daughter.” Dexie sips her coffee. “I can’t believe she remembered my name.”

“I can.” I lock eyes with her. “You’re unforgettable.”

Chapter 22

Dexie

His words are inching us closer to a discussion about our window game of chance.

There might have been a chance that I would catch a glimpse of his cock one night, but that ship has sailed. Game over.

There’s no way that we can work together to build my business by day only to flash each other at the window by night.

They don’t go hand-in-hand.

“We were talking about Rhoda before Palla came over.?

? I divert with a sugary sweet smile.

He takes another sip of his still very hot coffee, his eyes glued to mine. “You’re not going to partner with Rhoda.”

“I’ll decide after I hear what you both have to offer.”

The ghost of a grin that touches his mouth tells me he likes that answer. His words say otherwise. “Rhoda doesn’t have the same vision for your company that I do.”

I sigh. “I don’t know what her vision is so I can’t rule it out.”

He rakes a hand through his already messy hair. It just makes him hotter and I think he knows it.

Men like him parade around the city leaving a string of broken hearts in their wake. He’s almost too good-looking if such a thing exists.

My phone buzzes in my purse. I fish it out and look at the number on the screen. It’s Sophia.

“Is that Mr. Dirks?” Rocco leans back in his chair. “Are you still on the clock?”

I nod, realizing that he was paying very close attention to what I said to Shona before we left my office. “I should get back to work.”

I don’t correct his assumption that the call is work-related. I do need to finish a few things before I can call it a day at Matiz, including touching base with Rio Dirks, the stylist I hired for an upcoming fragrance photo shoot.

“Let’s meet for dinner later.” He moves to stand. “We’ll talk about what I’m prepared to offer you.”

I’ll give him an A-plus for persistence. Rhoda is hovering right around a D at the moment since I haven’t heard a word from her.

“Say around seven,” he goes on. “I know a great French place. That’s if you’re free, of course.”

I can’t exactly lie and say I have plans. He can see straight into my apartment. He’s bound to notice me sitting on my sofa eating popcorn and watching a movie.

My gaze drops to my phone again when it chimes. This time it’s a text message from my best friend.

Sophia: Nicholas is in Boston tonight so come over so we can cheese fondue. You know how much he hates it.

I read it twice. This has to be fate.