Reveal

The line is disco

I hardly make it three feet into the shop before Andrew points to a table in the corner with a blank expression fixed in place. I watch as a colleague shoulders him, and he cowers behind the coffee machine. There’s a woman sitting with her back to me, presumably Ms. Spears, and I cough loudly on my approach to a

“Good morning, Mr. Silverman.”

Her voice is smooth now, melodic even, nothing like how it sounded on the phone, and my name falls like a song from her lips. God, those lips.

“Indeed it is. Hello, Robyn.”

I pull out a chair and take a seat across from her, never once breaking eye contact. “I’m assuming that Andrew’s job is, in fact, safe then?” I shoot a look over to where he’s peering above the coffee machine watching.

“For now. Although I’m pretty sure that it probably is against company policy for the staff in here to pimp out people’s numbers.”

She’s smiling, so I take it lightheartedly.

“I’d just like to make clear that this is the first time I’ve ever been pimped out. I wouldn’t want you to think that this is normal practice for me.”

I watch transfixed as her mouth tips at the corner and she fights a smile. The line of her jaw, the curve of her neck, the soft waves of her dark hair falling over one shoulder have me mesmerized. Robyn is living, breathing art. I want to stare at her in much the same way I would a Picasso, taking in all the elements that make up the whole. Her face is a perfect juxtaposition, the features all too prominent and fighting for attention. Her almond eyes are set too wide against the slightness of her nose, angled to draw your attention down to settle on a set of excessively full lips. It should tilt her appearance on the side of peculiarity, yet the odd proportions only enhance her beauty.

“I should apologize for the way I got you here, but I couldn’t resist and I wanted to thank you in person for the coffee. It’s a nice gesture, even if it should be me paying for yours. How’s your shirt, by the way? Do I need to reimburse you for a new one?”

There’s something in the way she asks that makes me think she’s worried I might say yes.

“No, cleaned up fine.” I grin; the lie instantly causes her to smile. “If I remember correctly, you mentioned your acting skills weren’t up to par, but I beg to differ. Not for one moment did I doubt that I was about to encounter some angry middle-management dragon waiting to rip me a new one about exploiting her staff. I can’t tell you how happy I am that it’s you sitting here right now.”

“Maybe I should quit dancing and switch to acting. I’ve obviously missed my calling in life,” she lilts.

“That would be a bold move on the heels of one success. Maybe we could discuss it further over di

“I’m not sure. I mean, no offense but I don’t really know anything about you—going out alone with you would be irresponsible.”

Wow, okay so I didn’t see that coming.

“Well, that’s where you’re in luck. I have a work di

“Why do I get the feeling that you’re not going to take no for an answer?” she asks.

“Because I’m not.”

“I feel like I need to be up front with you, Cole…” If she’s about to tell me she’s married or involved with someone—I’m not sure I’ll be able to mask the disappointment. God, please don’t be married. “I’m not looking to get into anything with anyone right now, no matter how casual. I’m going through some things and now’s not the best time, like, at all.”

“Well luckily for you, it’s just di

“Your virtue? That’s what you’re going with?”

“Yep, I choked…that’s the best I could come up with. It’s true, though.” She’s smiling. You don’t smile if you’re not going to concede, surely.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes, okay. I’ll be the protector of your virtue for one night only.”

I breathe deeply and grip the side of the chair, willing myself to stay calm and collected, when what I actually want to do is fist pump the air in victory. Her acceptance is more satisfying than scoring a wi

“Excellent!” I clear my throat and wipe my sweaty palms over my slacks. I’m not sure I’ve felt this excited about a company di

I cough and clear my throat, peering across the table at Robyn before getting down to business—arranging our date.

I DON’T KNOW what just happened. One minute I’m thanking Cole for the coffee, the next I’m exchanging details and organizing a di