Chloe introduced me to a few people who were nearby, and I went to get her a cocktail and me a root beer. Alcohol was for relaxation and fun. Tonight was business, and I had a job to do.

When I returned to Chloe’s side, I noticed Angelica and her sidekick making their way toward us. I slid my free arm around Chloe, resting my hand at her waist. She wore ankle-length tailored pants, a silky top with thin straps, and a cropped jacket. My hand found its way beneath the jacket, so there was only a thin fabric between me and her flesh. I felt her hip bone and the way her body dipped inward at her waist, and even though I was supposed to be prepping for the dictator lady, my mind took a side trip. Something about the intimate touch rattled me. I knew Chloe well, probably as well as anyone, save for her friend Presley and maybe her mom and dad, but I didn’t know the female side of her. The sexual side. I hadn’t given it any thought, because we’d always been buddies.

That hip bone though…

The feminine, intriguing curve inward of her torso…

With a mental head shake at myself, I turned my attention back to the women who were almost to us. This close, I could see the boss lady’s eyes better, and there were shadows there, fatigue. And an astuteness that kicked my heart rate up as her gaze dipped down to my hand on Chloe’s waist, as if she was assessing us. Looking for the truth.

I felt Chloe’s body tense, and I gave her side a little squeeze, unsure whose benefit it was for—Chloe’s, the dictator’s, or my own.

“Good evening, Angelica,” Chloe said. “Sabrina.”

I wasn’t sure if she was aware she huddled into me a little closer, but it worked for the charade.

“Chloe. I’ve been anticipating this.” Chloe’s boss gave me an obvious once-over, as if she hadn’t been assessing the shit out of me from the moment we’d walked into the room.

“Angelica Marks, Sabrina Wilkes, this is my boyfriend, Holden Henry.”

She didn’t stutter over the word boyfriend. Of course she didn’t. Chloe was a pro at business.

I had to remove my hand from her side in order to shake Angelica’s hand. The woman’s shake was everything I’d expect from a shark. Sabrina merely smiled warmly and said hello.

“I’ve been curious about the man who’s lured Chloe into something besides work,” Angelica said. “You’re not at all what I expected.”