After he left, I took out the pink notebook I used for brainstorming catchphrases for marketing copy, but I couldn’t concentrate. Instead, I found myself drawing a lilac plant—the key ingredient in the skincare line that Beauty SkinEssence wanted me to drop.

I was glad that I had the date with Carter to look forward to because otherwise I’d drive myself crazy with worry again. As the afternoon went by, though, I went into a bit of a frenzy.

I wasn’t dressed for a date. I was wearing a peasant blouse and a maxi skirt. Usually, I would wear something more conservative for a business meeting, but Davis was known for being casual. He’d been wearing a Hawaiian shirt today.

Carter and I had only made plans for tonight after I’d left my house, so I couldn’t change.

That afternoon, I glanced at the clock more often than usual, willing time to pass more quickly, even though I was immersed in my favorite activity: sampling. At five thirty, I went into one of the bathrooms to freshen up, applying deodorant and some more mascara.

Then I whistled for no reason at all.

“Who has a date with a gorgeous man?” I sang. “That’s right. Me.”

I felt a little silly, but I was officially off the clock, so I could let my playful side come out.

“Who is going to have a great time? Me.”

I was about to start shimmying my hips in a dance too, when I heard the water flush in one of the toilets and groaned inwardly.

Samantha, one of my accounting employees, came out. She was trying very hard to fight a smile. I greeted her, maintaining a poker face even though I could feel the tips of my ears heating up. Just my luck. But hey, I did have a gorgeous man coming to pick me up. One couldn’t be lucky in everything.

While I waited for Carter in the lobby, I checked on Jace, who had returned from a game outside LA a few hours ago.

Val: Do you have any food? Did you sustain any injury?

Jace: No to both, but before you ask me to come by for dinner, I’m reminding you we’ve entered the era of home delivery. I’m going to go to bed right away and sleep for twelve hours straight, but I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?

Val: Sure. Take care.

Eh, some habits were not easily shaken off. Of course, I knew that Jace didn’t need all the doting, but I couldn’t help it. I just hoped I wasn’t getting on his nerves.

Will used to be a detective, and I constantly worried about him when he was on the force. I tried not to let it show, but I don’t think I was doing a good job.