s laptop screen. The quarterly projections were solid, even impressive, but his focus kept

terious

in her movements had etched itself into his thoughts. She wasn't like the other women

was

ind no name that matched his impression of her. It was m

Rus

ancing up to see his assistant, Claire

trying to mask

h the board," she said, her tone brisk. "Woul

you," Hayd

ce more. He glanced at his watch. There was just enough time to grab

yet upscale restaurant had become his usual spot for a quiet midday retreat. He

way to his seat,

e sh

udying a menu with casual grace. She wasn't in a ballgown

or a fleeting second, there was a flicker of recognition in

ile of his own. He adjusted his cuff

u here," he said as he

feigning mild surpr

nt. "Not exactly, but I believe we've me

skipped a beat.

slightly. "I wasn't sure if you'd remembe

n said, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he were trying to

nfidence firmly in place. "Onl

ade a few heads turn in their directi

gesturing to the empt

eye contact with her. His sharp blue eyes seemed to pierce

slightly, "are you going to

to let him think she was hiding anything. "Jasmine Thomp

verpowering. "Hayden Russell. Thoug

ryone?" she

nto a faint smirk. "What brings you h

good, and I thought I'd give it a tr

is gaze lingering on her a

ction. Her research had paid off. She had learned that La Belle Bistro was

intelligence, and the way she carried herself with such quiet confidence. Jasmine, for her part, navigated

d their plates, "what do you do when you're

ast, I was. I recently left my job

he repeated, his curi

her words. "Let's just say I'm figuring out

phase' with the same finesse you brought to that ga

ompliment," she sai

" he replied, his vo

The air between them seemed to shif

wing slightly. "You know, I can't believ

she kept her expression c

aid simply. "They

n at his words. This was exactly

back slightly, "it seems t

ughtful. "There's still a lot I don't kno

ow. "Are you sugges

thout hesitation.

t racing with triumph. "

nt of determination in his

tes later, Jasmine couldn't help but smile to

had no idea what