The Strength of the Pack (Suncoast Society #30)(12)

He frowned. “Client?”

“Nope.” She smiled. “Surprise.” She disappeared back down the hall.

He didn’t like that. For starters, his sister had way too smug of a look on her face. Evilly playful is what he’d called it when she was a kid.

Usually indicating she’d done something and was waiting for him to figure it out.

And that she’d take great joy in the process of him figuring it out.

Second, he didn’t like that she’d walked to his office to tell him instead of using the intercom like she normally would.

Third, who would call him on the office phone other than a client?

That answer was soon evident. “Hello, Nate Crawford.”

The woman’s voice sounded familiar, but until she introduced herself, her identity didn’t click. “Hi, Crawford. It’s Tilly. Do you have a minute to talk?”

“Tilly?”

“Uh-huh. I spoke with your sister briefly and she definitely agreed with what I’m about to ask of you. I have a huge favor to request.”

He scowled, glad she couldn’t see him through the phone. “What kind of favor?”

“The kind I wouldn’t normally ask of just anyone.”

“No, I won’t take a package to Thailand for you. And if you need an alibi, sorry, I’m all out of them.”

“Ha! Good one. See? That’s one of the things I like about you, you’ve got a great sense of humor, and—”

“Tilly.”

She huffed. “According to your sister—who I already know runs your schedule, so don’t try to lie about it—you are free Wednesday night. Correct?”

He really didn’t like where this was going. “Yeeesss?”

Her tone changed, snark-free and pleading. “I’ve already asked June and Scrye, and they said yes. Could you please meet with them and Eva for dinner somewhere? Perfectly vanilla, just dinner, nothing else.”

He closed his eyes, well able to picture her face.

Eva’s, not Tilly’s.

“Okay,” he said without argument. “When and where?”

Tilly hesitated. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Um…okay, then. Thank you very much. That was about a thousand times easier than your sister and I thought it was going to be.”

He smirked. “She doesn’t know everything about me. So where and when?”

“Your choice.”

He thought about it, then gave her the time and place.

“Thanks again,” she said. “And, seriously, this is just dinner. No obligation for anything else.”

“I know. Cherise is always on me that I don’t go out enough. I can toss this back in her face as proof that I do and get her to leave me alone.”

“Ha. Ah, now I see your conniving plan. Unwittingly trick me into winning an argument with your little sister. Smart, Dr. Devious. Very smart. Hey, that’d be a good nickname for you on FetLife.”

“It’s already taken. Good-bye, Tilly.”

“Bye.”

Little conniver. Now he knew the answer.

He hung up and sat back in his chair, counting under his breath.

Three…two...one—

Cherise’s head appeared in the doorway.

“You’re slipping,” he said. “I was off the phone a good four seconds.”

She flipped him off. “Well?”

“I told her yes.”

“Dammit.”

“What? I thought you wanted me to get out more?”

“Yeah, but I honestly didn’t think you’d do it. I might have wagered letting Landry take a few swats at my ass in the process.”

He snorted. “Then I suppose that’ll teach you a valuable lesson, won’t it?”

She sneered at him before disappearing back to her desk, leaving him laughing in her wake.

Dinner with Eva? Sure.

Getting one over on Cherise for a change?

Priceless.





Chapter Six


By Wednesday evening, Eva hoped this wasn’t a mistake.

Seeing Crawford—Nate, she reminded herself—at the club and letting him work with her there, or maybe even at his office, was different than a date.

A date-date.

She was standing in front of her mirror when she jumped at the knock on her bedroom door.

Leo stood there, leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest and a playful smile on his face. “You look great.”

She felt herself blush. “Thanks.”

“If he doesn’t react, then he’s gay.”

“You should know.” She smiled.

That pulled a laugh from him. “Exactly. And if you have any trouble—”

“I won’t, but yes, I’ll call you immediately.”

“I hope Tilly’s right about this.”

“She’s the expert. She assured me that June and Scrye will meet us there and double-date with us.”

“Everyone says good things about him,” Leo said. “She scoured the hinterlands for any sign of trouble and no one will say a bad word about him.”

“I’m nervous.”

He crossed the room and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Just remember that you’re an adult. You have the ability to say no to anything. And if he doesn’t listen—”