Sin (Just This Once 3)

“We won’t keep you.” Roland rests his hand on the back of his chair. “It was good to see you. Give me a call sometime. We need to catch up.”

“I’m previewing the fall tasting menu on Friday night at eight o’clock. It’s a private event. You two are more than welcome to join us.”

Roland’s mouth curls into a smile. “I’m in. How about you, Linny? Is it a date?”

If I had any doubt about accepting a second date invitation, it’s been washed away by the promise of delicious food and wine. “I’ll be here.”

“I’ll see you both then.” Tyler squeezes Roland’s shoulder. “It was great to see you old friend and really good to meet you, Linny.”

“It was good to meet you too,” I reply, but he’s already making his way across the crowded dining room.

The server approaches with two brandy snifters in his hands. Roland reaches for the back of my chair and motions for me to sit.

Once we’re both settled in, he toasts to our upcoming date on Friday night.

I raise my glass and clink it against his.

Maybe Harmony did get it right this time. Only time will tell.

Chapter 11

Jeremy

“When’s the last time you suited up?” I tilt my chin up.

Rocco looks down at the jeans, white T-shirt and black jacket he’s wearing before he points a finger at my tailored gray suit. “I’m touched that you pulled out one of your three thousand dollar suits to take me to dinner.”

I straighten the cuff of my jacket. “I’m thinking of hitting up a club after this. You’re welcome to tag along.”

He pauses before he smiles. “Are you meeting the woman you told Blythe about?”

I fucking wish I was. I shake my head.

“You were letting Blythe down easy when you said you were interested in someone else?” He strokes his chin. “I take it the friend’s niece isn’t your type.”

“You could say that.”

“So you’re headed to the club to find your type?” He narrows his gaze. “I’ll let you handle that without a wingman. It’s a pass for me.”

“We just talked shop over dinner. A break from work won’t kill you.”

Beneath the bet and time spent together running this afternoon, this evening was always designed to be a business meeting. Rocco’s been itching for an update on the vanilla vodka’s launch. I just spent the past two hours filling him in on every detail.

He wasn’t kidding when he said he was going to order the most expensive entrée on the menu. He did. He washed it back with a bottle of cabernet recommended by our server.

It’s worth every dime now that I’m watching Tyler Monroe make his way to our table. He’s the owner of Nova and the head chef. He also agreed to sell Rizon vodka exclusively to his diners three months ago.

I do a double take when I catch the profile of a woman sitting at a table with a dark-haired guy in a blue suit. I swear to fuck she looks like my Vegas angel.

Before I can get a better look at her, Tyler is next to me with his hand resting on my shoulder.

“Jeremy, it’s good to see you.”

I nod as I try to steal another look at the woman who just made my heart race. I curse to myself when I realize that the guy she’s with is blocking my line of sight.

“You too, Tyler,” I offer with a grin. “This is Rocco Jones, my business partner.”

Rocco extends his hand to the chef who takes it for a quick shake. “It’s great to meet you, Tyler.”