I look past him into the restaurant to where Crew is standing next to a petite blonde woman. I recognize her immediately. She's Isla Foster. I used to work for her husband, Gabriel, at Liore Lingerie. I'd see her around the office every once in a while, and when I started working for Matiz, she popped up there. We laughed about it at the time before she explained that Lark is her best friend.
"Your name?"
I look back at the guy with the accent. He's asked me twice. I need to give him an answer.
I go for broke because this bouquet of peonies in my hand isn't going to look as great tomorrow morning as it does right now. I want to hand them to Lark tonight. "I'm Ryker Moore. Lark works for me."
He nods. "You're not on the list."
"You didn't check a list."
"I have the list in here." He taps his massive forehead. It's more like a five or six head but I'm not about to point that out.
"Check it again," I say louder hoping to draw Isla's attention.
He rolls his eyes. "I checked. You're not on the list."
"I need to give these flowers to Lark for her birthday."
He reaches for them but I back away quickly. There's no way I'm placing these in his paw. He'll crush them without even trying.
"Give them to me." He lunges toward me. "I'll give them to her."
"No fucking way." I shake my head. "I'm handing these to Lark myself. Step aside and let me in."
"Watch the mouth." He places his index finger over his lips. "This is probably why you're not on the list."
"He's on the list." A soft female voice says from behind me. "You can let him in."
I straighten the knot on my tie before I pivot to face her. I hold the flowers out in front of me. "These are for you, Lark. Happy Birthday."
***
I curse everything in the world when I look down at her hand. It's holding tight to the arm of the man next to her. It's not just an average guy. This guy looks like he belongs on the cover of a magazine. Fuck this night and this surprise birthday party.
"These flowers are beautiful." Her cheeks blush pink. "You bought these for me, Mr. Moore?"
"For your birthday." I try not to stare at the man next to her. I should introduce myself but what's the fucking point? He's obviously her boyfriend. I'm her boss. I'm just her goddamn boss. I can't forget that.
"You knew about this party?" Her gaze drifts over my face. "You came to my birthday party to give me these?"
"Yes," I answer dryly. "I wanted you to know how much I appreciate all the valuable work you do at Matiz."
Her face is awash in something, maybe disappointment or confusion. It's possible that she's frustrated that I crashed her party. I wasn't invited. I don't know why the fuck I thought this was a good idea.
She clears her throat. "Thank you for the flowers. I hope you'll at least stay for dinner. Tyler Monroe and his wife are cooking for us."
I have no fucking idea who that is, but I'm game. She wants me to stay, so I will. "I'll stay."
"Good." Her expression brightens. "We were just out getting some air. We're heading back in there now."
I step aside to let her and her date take the lead. Lark walks into the restaurant just as he stops and extends his hand to me. "So you're the infamous Ryker Moore. I've heard a lot about you."
I give his hand a firm shake. "Don't repeat any of it."
He laughs and drops my hand. "I'm Kade Benton. It's great to meet you, man."
It's fucking amazing to meet him too. He's her brother, not her boyfriend. I feel a sense of relief I know I shouldn't, but I can't deny that there's something about Lark that draws me to her like a moth to a flame.