Page 74 of Open To Negotiation

I would bet money on that.

But banning him seems a little harsh.

I tucked my phone back in my pocket as I stepped into the Knight Enterprise offices, assuming the boys would continue this conversation in person as they wandered from their offices to the conference room. I’d been working hard on the proposals the team had put together over the last two weeks, not telling Theo much because I didn’t want him to evaluate it any differently because of our relationship. So he was in the dark and I was both nervous and excited.

The three people I’d asked to accompany me to the meeting from our team were sitting in the lobby. I hadn’t come from the office this morning, so I asked them to meet me here. James waved from his spot on the couch and the other two designers smiled. They’d been great to work with and were fine that I wanted to give them more options than we normally offered a client.

“Morning, Shelly,” I said as I noticed Theo’s executive assistant chatting with the receptionist.

“Hello, dear!” She leaned in and kissed me on the cheek and patted my face. Given how much Shelly and Arthur treated me like one of their own children, it was no surprise why Theo kept them both close. “I need your passport information.”

I frowned at her strange request. “Why?”

“You’re attending the upcoming charity event with Mr. Knight, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Well, he asked me to ensure everything is in place. I have to update the flight itinerary, and they need your passport number.”

“I didn’t know we had to fly…”

She smiled at me, not giving me any other details. “Can you email it to me tonight before six?”

“Ah yes,” I said, realizing I wouldn’t get anything else from her. At least she was giving me another reason to go home tonight. “Here, these are for you.” I held the container out for her to take.

“What did you do?” She rested it on the desk to pop the lid off.

“Well, I know how much work you’re doing for me, and someone let it slip that you’re playing gatekeeper for my boss so he doesn’t know when I’m here or what we’re doing, and I wanted to say thank you.” I shifted a little as she took the layer of parchment paper off.

“You made me Millionaire’s shortbread?” Her eyes lit up as she took one of the squares.

“I’d never made them before. I hope they’re okay.”

After dinner last night I’d kicked Theo out of the kitchen and got to work making them. I had tried a small piece of one and they tasted good, but I’d never had them before so I had nothing to compare it to.

“How did you know these are my favorite?” she asked, looking up at me.

“You and Arthur are doing a lot for me. I asked him what I could do for you, he told me you used to make these a lot and that you loved them. I’m sure yours tasted better.” I wrung my hands together as she took a bite. Part of me had hoped she wouldn’t taste them until I was gone. I waited as she chewed, holding my breath until a smile broke out on her face.

“They’re amazing, sweetheart.” She patted my arm as I released a breath. “But you do not have to do things for me.”

“I know, but I wanted to. I can’t cook successfully every time but I can usually bake.”

“She slapped my hand yesterday when I tried to take one,” Theo said as he slid up beside me. I hadn’t noticed him, I wondered how long he’d been watching this.

“Good. I don’t want to share with you,” Shelly teased as she put the lid back on the container. “Watch it, mister, she might take over as my favorite.” She pointed at Theo.

“I don’t doubt it,” he muttered.

“And now that you’re here, I’ll let you take her up.” I smiled as she waved over her shoulder and Theo shook his head, keeping his hands in his pockets.

I had instructed him that we would have a no touching policy when I was here to work. He wasn’t happy about it and had grumbled about it all morning. Even texting me individually to see if I’d changed my mind.

I hadn’t.

“Make sure you tell me what I can do for Arthur,” I called after Shelly before turning to look at Theo. “Good to see you, Mr. Knight.” His eyes narrowed, everyone called him Knight but me so I figured I would do the same while I was here for work.

He pulled a hand out of his pocket and reached to push my hair back behind my ear, it was one of the things he did regularly now. When we were lying around together he also loved to twirl a piece of my hair around his finger, sometimes he didn’t even seem to realize he was doing it.