“I’d hoped so. One of my employees thought the old coffee we served tasted like shit.”

“It did.”

He laughed. “Why did you really give up your winery ticket? Wine is one of your favorite things...”

It’s my number one favorite thing... “I honestly just wanted to be nice...The interns have been working late hours too and they haven’t been getting paid extra so...” I handed my coffee list to the barista. “I didn’t know you planned that trip with me in mind.”

“Well, now that you’re not going we can do something else together.”

“Like what?”

“I’ll think of something...” He handed his list to the other barista and helped me load napkins and pastries onto the cart. His phone started to ring and he stepped away. “I’ll be right back.”

The barista set more coffees on the counter and I loaded them onto our carts.

“Claire? Is that you?” Mr. Henderson stepped in front of me. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been well and yourself? I haven’t seen you around in a while. Have you been sick?”

“No, I got a promotion.” He smiled. “I work in Operations now. I’m glad I ran into you though. Are you still going out with someone else?”

“Yes.”

He dramatically frowned and then he laughed. “Lucky guy. You know, if you ever—”

“Mr. Henderson.” Jonathan came back and reached out for a handshake. “How are things in the Operations Department so far?”

“They’re amazing. Thank you so much for the personal recommendation. I’d been applying for a position there for years.”

“It’s not a problem.” Jonathan smiled at him. “I like to make sure hardworking people are exactly where they belong.” He shot me a disapproving glance.

“Well, thank you again, Mr. Statham. I’ll see you around, Claire. Call me whenever the lucky guy messes up, okay?” Mr. Henderson winked at me and walked away.

Jonathan rolled his eyes and helped me placed the finished coffees onto the carts.

“You gave him a promotion to keep him away from me didn’t you?” I couldn’t believe him.

“What are you talking about?” He started pushing his cart towards the elevator.

“Tell me the truth.”

“Tell you that I put in a word for him to get the job he wanted?”

I shook my head and stepped onto the elevator. “No. Tell me that you did it because he—”

“Yes.” He pushed me against the wall as soon as the doors closed. “I made him senior advisor and moved the entire operations department to the building across the street so he wouldn’t cross paths with you, just in case you forget who you’re dating again. And yes, I’ll do it to anyone else who comes onto you. As of matter of fact, now that I’ve seen him getting coffee over here, I’m going to have a Starbucks installed in the building across the street, so there’s no need for him to come over here again. Satisfied?”

I blinked.

“I thought so.”

The elevator doors opened and he pushed his cart towards the conference room, stopping once he was outside the door.

“Tell them I have another meeting to go to this afternoon.” He brushed his lips against my cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I brought a glass of water to my lips and sighed. I was sitting in the private room of Jardinière, an upscale restaurant in Hayes Valley. There were softly burning candles set on my table and a large red rose bouquet that read, “I’m very sorry that you’re alone right now. I promise I’ll make it up to you—Jonathan.”

“Would you like to have a glass of wine while you wait, Miss?” the waiter asked.

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

He gave me a sympathetic smile and walked away.

I’d been sitting alone for thirty minutes, wondering exactly “how late” Jonathan was going to be.

He’d texted me right after work, letting me know that his board meeting was going to be “a long one,” and that Greg would pick me up for our date tonight.

I scrolled through my phone again, hoping to see a text from him, but I felt his hand rub against my bare back; felt him pressing a kiss against my shoulder.

“Good evening, Claire.”

“Hi...” My body immediately came to life, reacting to his sexy voice and his gentle touch.

He kissed my neck and whispered softly in my ear, “Are you wearing anything underneath this?” He tugged at the low cut on the back of my dress.

I shook my head and he let out an approving, “Hmmm,” before taking a seat across from me.

“How was your meeting?” I asked.

“It was unnecessarily long and dry as usual. I’ll be happy when this IPO is behind me. I don’t think I can—” His eyes met mine and he sucked in a breath. He reached over the table and clasped my hand. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Glad to see to you’ve arrived safely, Mr. Statham.” The waiter stepped over to our table. “What wine will you two be having tonight?”

“Could you give us a second please?” Jonathan kept his eyes on me as the waiter disappeared. “Your eyes are red, and I’m pretty sure your mascara is supposed to be on your eyelashes, not underneath your eyes. You’ve been crying?”

“No, I have really bad allergies.” I reached into my purse for my compact mirror. “I swear, this time of year always gets to me. There’s so much pollen in the—”

“Stop lying to me, Claire.”

I sighed. “It’s not that big of a deal. It was an angry cry.”

“About me being late?”

“No...I—”

“Let’s go.” He stood up and reached for my hand. “We can talk in the car.”

I leaned against him as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and walked me out of the restaurant.

Valet pulled his car to the front as soon as we approached, and as usual, he helped me into my seat and waited until I was comfortable before speeding away.

I didn’t know where he was taking me and I honestly didn’t care. If we rode around aimlessly for the rest of the night I would be happy with that.

We sped through the city streets, past all the glimmering lights. When we came to a stop sign, he looked over at me. “Do you plan on ever talking?”

“I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be punished if I did.”

He rolled his eyes. “Good to know it’s not that serious.”

“It’s not.” I shook my head. “My daughters are taking a flight to Anaheim later tonight...It’s their baby stepbrother’s birthday, so their dad called at the last minute. He said he wanted them to join him and his ho at Disneyland tomorrow.”

“You’re upset because they’re going?”

“No, he’ll always be their dad and he can see them whenever he wants...I’m upset because he waited until the very last minute to mention it. We have an arrangement, and I know he didn’t buy those plane tickets yesterday, you know?”

“I see. Well, that’s understandable. Do I need to have you home early so you can drop them off at the airport?”

“No. Their grandmother always takes them to and from the airport...”

“Hmmm...” He looked concerned.

“It’s not that big of a deal. I’m not that upset, I promise. I just hate when he calls—hate that he still exists...I’m sure hanging with you tonight will keep my mind off—”

“What’s your favorite movie?”

“Anastasia. Why?”

“The cartoon?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but—”

“And you laughed at me about Harry Potter?” He rolled his eyes and made a sudden U-turn, driving in the other direction. “Have you eaten anything since lunch?”

I shook my head and he pulled out his phone. “Greg? Miss Gracen and I would like to see a movie...No, dinner will need to be delivered—no seafood...Yes, that would be perfect actually...Anastasia...Yes, I’m aware that it’s animated...An hour more than likely...Thank you.”

“You shut down movie theaters too?” I looked at him as he put his phone away.

“Something like that...” He pulled over at a small convenience store. “I’ll be right back. Do you want anything out of here?”