After they boarded the elevator, Samiah turned, prepared to tell him that he wasn’t fooling anyone with his little end-around move. But before she could speak, the elevator doors opened on the twenty-first floor and several people joined them. It wasn’t until they entered the parking garage that she finally got the chance to call him out on his sly maneuvering.

“You think you’re slick, don’t you?” Samiah asked as they walked to her car.

“What? You think I orchestrated this?”

“Yes.”

“Wrong. This was all Justin.”

“Sure,” she said with an eye roll.

“It’s the truth.” He held his hands up. “Justin asked if I knew anything about Trendsetters’ charitable work. When I said that I didn’t, he asked if I was interested in seeing it play out firsthand.”

“Oh, so an hour after I turn you down for lunch, I’m supposed to believe you’re now here because you want to learn about the company’s ‘charitable work’?” She made air quotes.

“I happen to be very interested in my new employer’s philanthropic deeds. To insinuate that I have an ulterior motive for joining you is just wrong, Ms. Brooks.”

She choked on a laugh. “You are so full of shit.”

“Not the first time I’ve had those words directed at me,” he said as they arrived at her car. He held the driver’s side door open for her and draped an arm over the top of it. “But I should warn you, I’ve also heard that I tend to grow on people.” He winked. “Be prepared.”

Was she really expected to resist him? In what universe was it possible to meet someone as genuinely sweet, charming, and incorrigible—but in the very best way—and not reciprocate their obvious interest?

Once in her car, they headed up I-35. Staring out the passenger-side window, Daniel remarked, “I’ve been here nearly a month and haven’t been north of Highway 183. I need to take some time to explore this city.”

“Have you been to Lake Travis yet?”

“No, but I heard it’s beautiful out there.”

“It is. It should definitely be on the list of places for us to hike. Once I’m more comfortable being alone with you.” She held up a finger. “This doesn’t count.”

“It totally counts.”

“It does not. We’re alone, but it’s work-related.”

“Are you making up these rules as we go along?”

“Maybe.” She tipped her chin in the air. “It doesn’t matter when the rules were made, you still have to abide by them if you want me to be your hiking trails tour guide.”

“Well, I guess I’ll need to follow your rules, because I definitely want that.” The rich, deep timbre of his voice set off a faint tremor low in her belly.