g far harder than she wanted to admit. The encounter replayed in her mind-his ga

h, charming, and entirely too self-assured. Men like him lived in a world where peo

g lingered-the sense that Lucas wasn't just a passing encounter. It

the street, his thoughts spinning in ways they hadn't in years. Something a

than's voice jolted

ulder as Nathan strolled u

nside charming the

getting predictable. So, what's your excuse fo

owned. "

ked. "Sure

ttered, running a h

shrug off supermodels without blinking, but t

sn't wrong, and that unsettled

s. The children's artwork adorned the walls, adding bursts of color to the otherwise modest sp

heets when her phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen

e answered

essional. "This is Ava, Mr. Lucas Sterling's assistant. He'

sinking in like a sto

ould like to meet with you to discuss pote

the specifics of her work to Lucas, had

arefully, "but I don't think that's neces

lite but firm, "Mr. Sterling is quite persistent. He doesn't

ersistent, indeed. "I'll think abo

ied. "I'll let him kn

ily staring at her phone, equa

Enterprises, Lucas leaned back in his cha

han asked from the couch, flip

," Lucas corrected, swirling t

u're just going to wait

cas said. "I don't

mock disbelief. "You've

Emily Harper might think she could keep him at arm's length, b

knock on the door interrupted her. She glanced up to see the sch

said, "there's some

an it wait? I'm i

rgent," the secretary

n he wa

completely out of place in his tailored suit and polished shoes. The

" she said, walking to the door and keepin

ke your advice,"

advi

" he said with a faint smile. "I d

s my workplace. You can't

tone. "And I'd like to talk to you. Preferably some

excitedly amongst themselves. She turned back to Lucas wit

ion triumphant, and stepp

couldn't help but wonder what,