We both knew she was a willing, active participant in the dance and the kiss that followed it.

Contrary to popular belief, an apology was a power move.

In this case, it not only allowed the deal to move forward, but it gave me more chances to be in Saff’s company.

Because there was no way now that I’d gotten a taste, that I was going to be happy with just one taste.

Once the paperwork was signed and filed, there was no going back on the deal. There was nothing stopping us from exploring what was clearly sizzling between us.

We were both adults.

We could give in to our desires in our personal time and still manage to professionally work together.

Or, at least, that was what I was telling myself as I grabbed my tablet. I’d spent the morning creating design boards and digitally drawing up potential changes to the club floor plan.

“Go on and head out early,” I told Teresa as I made my way out of my office.

“What?” she asked, brows scrunched. “It’s one in the afternoon. You sick? Should I be calling an ambulance? Come here,” she went on, getting to her feet and waving both hands at me. “Come here, let me check you for a temperature.”

“I’m fine, T,” I said, shaking my head at her. “I have a meeting with Miss Amato at her office.”

“What about after?”

“I dunno. But I’m not coming back here.”

“You’re not…” Teresa moved around her desk. “What are you flinching for?” she asked, throwing up her hand and pressing the inside of her wrist to my forehead. “Hmm. I don’t think you’re warm,” she said, putting both her hands to the side of my neck to be sure. “You’re not… dying or something, are you? Some news from the doctor making you reevaluate your priorities…”

“Think about that, T,” I said, smiling at her concern. “You didn’t set up any doctor appointments for me.”

“True, but, hey, you never know. You men and your aversion to the doctor. You should have heard the stink I had to throw to get my Marty to agree to get his damn colonoscopy. And I mean, I get it. No one wants something up their ass. At least not without dinner and a nice set of diamond earrings, anyway. But you gotta do what you gotta do to make sure all the parts are working.”

“All my parts are working,” I assured her.

“I don’t know if I believe you,” she said, eyes narrowing. “I’ve been with you for years now. I’ve never known you to blow off more than half a day of work. Something’s up.”

Teresa was a dog with a bone when she was suspicious of something. Her poor sons likely didn’t get away with anything.