“Alexander.” She points a finger at me. “That’s why you’re putting off calling him back. You’re trying to figure out what you’ll say to him.”
I suck in a deep breath. That’s not why I’m putting off calling him back. “I swore off all arrogant and cocky men years ago. He’s attractive, but he’s not my type, Kate.”
“She who protests too much…” Her voice trails.
“I’ll call him tomorrow,” I repeat as I gaze around her store and the potential customers checking out the dresses and accessories. “Are you sure you can pull yourself away for a dinner break?”
“My staff can handle it.” She straightens the collar of the red dress she’s wearing. “I’ve been craving pizza all day. I’m ordering a huge slice of pepperoni. How about you?”
Pizza isn’t my favorite, but spending time with Kate ranks high on my list of things I love to do. “I’m having the same.”
“Let’s go.” She takes off toward the door of the shop. “I’ve only got an hour to spare. Try to keep up.”
I laugh as I fall in step behind her.
Chapter 7
Alexander
Olivia Hull.
That’s her standing next to Trey Hale in a picture he posted to his Instagram account last year.
The caption says it all: Best Cousin Ever!
The photo was liked more than a half million times and the comments number in the thousands.
They’re both dressed in jeans, matching baseball jerseys and Yankees ball caps.
Olivia’s is skewed to the side to reveal her entire face.
It’s beautiful. Her smile is infectious.
Dammit. She’s a gorgeous woman.
She’s also compassionate.
I’m grateful that she went to her cousin so that I wouldn’t walk into Alvin’s birthday party empty-handed.
I’m slightly pissed that she didn’t return my call yesterday.
After I discovered her connection to Trey on his Instagram account, I pulled up the Liore Lingerie corporate site and zeroed in on her bio page.
Another breathtaking image of her greeted me. In that one, she was dressed in a white blouse and blue blazer. The fuck-me red lipstick she had on piqued my interest.
It gave her an edgy look that stirred my cock.
I don’t know if my driving desire to talk to the woman is born from my thankfulness over what she did for my nephew or my attraction to her.
“That’s a cute picture of Olivia you have there.”
I look up from my phone and into the face of Olivia’s assistant, Sheryl. The woman is efficient. When she left me standing here, in front of her desk, I expected her to be gone for more than two minutes.
“Did you find Olivia?” I ask abruptly as I slide my phone into the pocket of my suit jacket. “Did you tell her that I’m waiting to speak to her?”
“That would be a no and a no, Mr. Donato.” She sighs heavily. “Ms. Hull’s meeting ended more than an hour ago. She must have left the building for lunch.”
I drop my gaze to the flowers in my hand. I want to show my gratitude for what she did for Alvin. I didn’t bother with a card when I stopped by the florist to pick up the large bouquet. I assumed I’d be handing the flowers to Olivia in person, along with my words of appreciation.