Ruthless (The Calvettis of New York 2)

What? He came to my apartment to tell me that the shopping site lived up to their promise of same-day delivery?

He’s still wearing the jeans, black sweater, and suit jacket he was earlier. It looks like he rushed over to give me the good news.

“That’s great,” I reply because what am I supposed to say.

“I brought the other item you ordered over.”

My brow knits in confusion as I drop my gaze to his hand and the brown paper shopping bag in it. I recognize the logo on the bag. It’s from the deli a block from the office. I order lunch from there at least once a week. I noticed an empty bag on the foyer table in Barrett’s penthouse, so I assumed he took my lead and tried the pastrami on rye for himself.

I lean forward to try and peer in the bag, but he’s gripping the twine handles so tightly in his fist that I can’t see what’s inside.

A pat on my shoulder lures my attention away from the bag.

I turn to see Max staring at me. “You haven’t introduced me to this handsome man yet.”

The emphasis on the word handsome doesn’t get lost on me, or Barrett. When I glance at him, his lips are twitching in a suppressed smile.

With anxiety twisting my stomach in a tight knot, I give Max my best not-now-Max look, but it has as much impact as the look I shot my sister earlier.

“I’m Max Polley. I’m Bella’s best friend.” Max pushes me aside to approach Barrett.

Barrett extends a hand to Max. “Barrett Adler. It’s good to meet you.”

“Bella has told me a lot about you,” Max says, giving Barrett’s hand a shake that lasts two seconds too long.

I sigh. “I haven’t.”

Barrett’s gaze drops to my face. “What exactly has Isabella told you about me?”

“Isabella,” Max repeats in his best swoony voice. “I tried to call her that when we were kids but she kicked me in the knee. How times have changed.”

Needing this to be over, I grab Barrett’s attention again. “I told Max I had a new boss. That’s the extent of our conversation about you.”

“No, it’s not,” Max jumps in. “She said that you…”

“What’s in the bag?” I interrupt because I want Barrett out of here.

The walls feel like they’re closing in on me, even though the apartment is spacious. We’re all gathered in the foyer. Barrett keeps stealing glances at the living room. It’s decorated in an array of oversized navy and gray furniture pieces that were given to Gina by a company in New Jersey in exchange for an online shout-out to her millions of followers.

I’m not inviting him to take a seat so he can get comfortable. I want him to go, but first I need to know what the hell is in that bag since I didn’t order anything but the black ink pens.

Barrett’s gaze slides over my sister and Max before it lands back on me. “I need to speak with you privately.”

“We’re leaving.” Gina turns her attention to Max. “’I’m on my way to a boutique in Tribeca for a clothing line launch party. If you’re headed home we can ride the subway together.”

“I’m going to that party with you.” He scoops her hand in his. “Consider me your plus one.”

This time I turn to both of them and say what I want, instead of tossing them warning looks that fly right over their heads. “Don’t go yet.”

Max leans forward to plant a kiss on my cheek. “I know we had a date to count sneakers, but I can’t turn down a launch party with this beauty.”

Gina flicks her long brown hair over her shoulder. “I’ll be back before midnight, but I can crash at Max’s place if you want the apartment to yourself tonight.”

They giggle in unison.

“It was good to meet you, Barrett,” Gina says, reaching for the doorknob.

“I’ll second that,” Max chimes in.