He laughs. “You’re fucking insane. She’s going to say no and will probably quit on the spot. We can’t lose her.”

“I’m desperate,” I remind him.

“According to Lola, my mom has three different women lined up in case I’m lying about the girlfriend.”

“You are lying,” he says.

“Not the point.”

“So, she caught you. Why don’t you man up and fuck those three women? Now, let me go back to work.”

“I’m asking Claire to be my plus one.”

“No, man. Claire is a hard worker but…she’s moody. I don’t know,” he huffs. “Wouldn't that be considered sexual harassment?”

“I’m not going to sleep with her,” I clarify. “Just pretend to date her for a weekend—for my sanity.”

“You have three women to choose from, for fuck’s sake,” he says annoyed.

“Evans,” I say with a sigh.

“Claire is one of our best employees. She’s by far the best one on my team. I don’t want to lose her.”

“We won’t lose her. Trust me,” I say and hang up the phone.

I walk toward the group. The blonde who’s been watching me since we passed the security kiosk licks her lips when she sees me. I nod at them and get closer to Claire.

“Hey,” I greet her.

She sucks in a breath and her eyes open wide. That’s when I realize what’s different about her. She’s not wearing glasses. This is the first time I’ve seen her big, dark eyes, framed by long, curled eyelashes. I feel sucker-punched by her beauty, but my mission keeps me focused.

“Claire, isn’t it?” I clear my throat.

“I …” She chews on her lip.

“Well, hello, Mr. Hottie. I’m Madeline, and you are?” The blonde uses a sultry voice as she introduces herself.

I move my gaze toward Claire and serve her with my best smile. “Emperor Palpatine, right, Ms. Solis?”

She’s not the first employee to give me a nickname, nor will she be the last. They’ve called me anything and everything. Spoiler alert: asshole is the most common. I’m impressed by her originality. She crinkles her nose, closing her eyes briefly, and then lifts her face and stares at me. Her gaze turns serious, businesslike.

“Mr. Archer, what a surprise,” she greets me with her unique professional voice.

The embarrassment disappears as she speaks with a straight face. “It’s a pleasure to see you.”

“The feeling is mutual,” I say, hoping we can come to some kind of agreement. “Do you have a moment?”

“I’m on vacation,” she says firmly.

“Devon told me. You’re taking some time off. Where are you going?”

“To Cancun,” her friend, Madeline, says with excitement.

This isn’t just a sign. It’s the answer to all my problems.

“Is that right?” I ask.