Faking Ms. Right (Dirty Martini Running Club #1)(35)

“You know what I do when I’m stressed?”

“What?”

“Spend some time at the cat cafe.”

I blinked at him. “What’s a cat cafe?”

“It’s called Neko, over on Capitol Hill. They serve drinks and snacks, and you can hang out with their cats. Some are permanent residents, and some are still looking for their forever homes. It’s very relaxing.”

“Wow, I had no idea that sort of thing existed.”

He nodded. “I was there just last week. I’ve been thinking about adopting a brother or sister for Millie, but I’m not sure how well she’d get along with another feline.”

“That is an issue.”

“It’s important to consider the needs of your current pet when deciding whether to introduce a new animal into your home.”

“Of course.” My phone rang so I gave Steve an apologetic smile. “I should take this.”

He waved his hand, as if to shoo me away. “Of course, of course. Back to work.”

I picked up my phone, but it wasn’t a work call. It was Annie. “Hey, sis.”

“Hey, how’s your day going?”

I could practically feel Shepherd’s silent presence in his office behind me, the weight of his displeasure sitting heavily on my shoulders. “Um, it’s fine. How about you?”

“I’m good. Are you free for lunch? I’m downtown and I thought we could get together.”

“Yeah, I’m free.”

“Great. Should I come up to your office, or…”

For some reason, I didn’t like the idea of Annie being near Shepherd right now. It wasn’t like she wanted him; she wasn’t even attracted to men. But the idea of her trying to sneak a peek into his office or eying him like he was an interesting genetic specimen made my back clench tight.

“That’s okay, I’ll just meet you at that sandwich place or something. Does that sound good?”

“Sure, that’s perfect. Noon?”

“Yep. I’ll see you then.”

Shepherd didn’t leave his office all morning. He had a lunch meeting, but I’d already sent him his schedule for the day. He didn’t message me with any requests. I wasn’t sure what I wanted from him. An excuse to go into his office so we could talk, maybe. I just didn’t like the feeling of this problem between us simmering in the background.

I had to leave to meet Annie before his meeting, but he didn’t need anything from me, so I just left. The restaurant wasn’t far from my building. The fresh air felt good as I walked, as did the sun on my face. The sidewalk was busy with pedestrians—lots of people dressed in business casual attire, heading to lunch meetings or taking a break with friends or coworkers. Music spilled out of a bar on the corner and I wistfully imagined that I was meeting Nora and Hazel for lunch mimosas, rather than my sister for sensible salads.

Annie was waiting at the restaurant and the host took us to our table. I followed her lead, ordering water to drink and a salad with grilled chicken.

“So, what’s new?” she asked.

I hadn’t said a word to her about my current living situation. For all she knew, my life was still the same. Living in my cute, if small, apartment in the same building as Nora and Hazel. Going to work, like everything was normal. Three-mile runs and girls’ nights with martinis.

She had no idea I was living in a palatial penthouse with my wealthy, and very private, boss. Trading banter with his father over morning coffee. Doing yoga in his living room and sipping wine in the evenings on a balcony that overlooked the city. Sleeping next to him in his bed, on the softest, most luxurious sheets I’d ever felt. Trying very hard to ignore the way my body responded to his scent.

“Oh, you know, not much. What about you?”

She took a bite of her salad and shrugged. “Not much. Work has been crazy the last few weeks. I feel like I could be there twelve hours a day, seven days a week and still not catch up.”

“That’s tough. I hope you’re taking some me-time to recharge.”

“Yeah, Miranda has been making me. She can always tell when I need a break. You know how she is with self-care and all that.”

“Good.”

“Oh, before I forget.” She brought out her soft leather briefcase and pulled out a manila folder. “This is the paperwork for Mr. Calloway. We had a contract drawn up by a lawyer with experience in both genetic material donations, and more traditional adoptions. He’s welcome to have his lawyer look at it and we’re open to any changes he might want to make.”

I swallowed hard and tried to keep my hand from trembling as I took the folder. “Thanks, but I haven’t had a chance to bring it up. And honestly, Annie, I’m still not sure this is the best idea.”

She smiled. “I have complete faith in you.”

It was suddenly difficult to look my sister in the eyes. I tucked the folder beneath my purse on the chair next to me, focusing on my lunch. “Thanks.”

The stack of paperwork seemed to whisper at me all through lunch. Annie didn’t bring it up again, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The whole thing was making me slightly nauseated, but I couldn’t understand why. Annie and Miranda didn’t have malicious motives. They weren’t after his money, and I was sure the contract spelled that out in exacting detail. They simply wanted the best match for their hoped-for child. They liked his physical and intellectual traits—and who could blame them. Shepherd was basically perfect.