“Okay,” she finally said. “I guess that makes sense.” There was a crispness to her voice that hadn’t been there before. “Although, I don’t see why bouncing ideas off each other over a couple of burgers wouldn’t be considered working.”

God, he hated this.

“It’s just…it’s not a good idea,” Daniel said.

The seconds that ticked by were some of the most uncomfortable of his life. Her shoulders straightened, her chin lifting as she stared down at him. If not for the nerve jumping in her stiff cheek, Daniel would have thought his words were no big deal.

“Fine,” she said. The word was clipped. Final.

With that she turned and started back toward her office.

“Samiah—” Daniel called in a voice that was barely a whisper.

Letting her walk away was the smart move here. The only move. Hell, he could subvert Trendsetters’ security tomorrow and see this job come to an end. What would he say to her then? Sorry about lying to you? We’ll probably never see each other again, but thanks for lighting my world on fire with that kiss, and for paying my salary with your tax dollars?

Yeah, that would go over well.

He put the headphones back on and returned his attention to his computer screen. He needed to finish up this Austin job so that he could move on to the next. It would be better for everyone.

*  *  *

Samiah pitched her head back and gloried in the rays of sunshine streaming through the trees overhead, welcoming the warmth on her face. She’d happened upon the rarest of rare finds, an empty bench in what was possibly her favorite spot in the city, the Japanese garden in the botanical gardens at Zilker Park. An oasis in the middle of the city, teeming with brightly colored flowers, willowy trees, and ponds filled with lily pads, this was the place she came to when she needed to get outside of her own head and just exist.

She definitely needed it today.

She balanced the pen and steno pad on her knee, and read over the impressive list of ideas she’d brainstormed in the short time she’d been out here. She’d debated whether she wanted to bring anything work-related to her favorite sanctuary, especially while on her lunch break, but decided that when it came to her app, this was the perfect spot to work. She didn’t want Just Friends to feel like a job. It should bring joy.

She was due a little joy after the sour taste left in her mouth yesterday following Daniel’s rebuff. It had hurt, but she was no longer angry.

Okay, so she was a little angry, and maybe just a bit confused.