Stranded with a Billionaire (Billionaire Boys Club #1)(68)

“I’m calling you,” Logan said in a gruff voice. “Go out with me.”

That wild, nervous giggle escaped, and she clapped a hand over her mouth in embarrassment. When she recovered, she cleared her throat. “Where would you like to go?”

“Dinner. Tonight. Someplace casual.”

“I told you. I’m working tonight,” she said calmly, though she couldn’t stop grinning.

He made a frustrated sound that was nearly swallowed up by the sounds of traffic. He must have still been out on the street. “Tomorrow night, then.”

“Tomorrow night is good,” she said, smiling. “Where should we meet?”

***

As she prepared for her first date with the man she was in love with, Bront? was thankful that Audrey had dragged her out and made her go clothes shopping. Her own funds were still a little lean, and although working at the coffee shop was a good way to pass time, living in New York was expensive and she found she was constantly a bit strapped for cash. A date outfit would have been out of the question.

Luckily, she had the clothes she’d taken when she’d left Logan’s apartment. She grabbed her favorite jeans, paired them with a silver belt, and tossed on a form-fitting black boatneck sweater and some ankle boots. She pulled her hair into a smooth ponytail and added a pair of hoop earrings, and then presented the ensemble to Gretchen.

“How do I look?”

Gretchen looked up from her laptop screen and squinted at Bront?. “Are you dating Logan?”

“I am.”

“Then I don’t care,” Gretchen said and turned back to her computer.

“Be fair, Gretchen,” Bront? said with a laugh. “We’re just going to try each other out and see if we can have a good time like regular people.”

“Oh, please,” Gretchen said with a roll of her eyes. She continued to type, her hair pulled atop her head in a wild red bun. At the side of her computer, Igor curled up, looking like a nak*d, wrinkly bat. Occasionally, Gretchen would reach over to pet the cat and then return to typing. “We both know that this is just some sadistic version of foreplay and you’re still madly in love with him. You just want to make him dance to your tune for a while instead of the other way around.”

Gretchen certainly knew how to get to the heart of the matter.

“So . . . does this outfit look okay for excruciatingly drawn-out foreplay?”

Gretchen peered up at her again; then her eyes settled on her chest. “Are you wearing a bra?”

“Absolutely.”

“A big ugly girdle?”

“No.”

“Mmm. You need a big ugly girdle. It’ll ensure you won’t want to get nak*d with him.”

Bront? smoothed a hand over her sweater. “I’m going to assume that this looks fine, then.”

“Fine, fine,” Gretchen waved a hand, then returned it to scratching Igor’s wrinkly skin. She didn’t look away from her monitor. “I’m two chapters from the end of this stupid project, so I’m going to be chained to the computer until it’s done. I’m totally fine with you staying out until all hours. Just in case you were wondering.”

“Gotcha.”

“Have fun.”

“I will.”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. That means most everything, by the way.”

Bront? waved, grabbed her purse, and headed out the door.

The walk to the subway station was a short one. Even though the network of subway lines was still confusing to her, she knew a few stops and was glad that the one they’d agreed to meet near was among them. After she emerged from the subway, she headed for the restaurant they’d picked and scanned the crowd of pedestrians for a familiar set of broad shoulders in an expensive jacket.

Her gaze nearly skipped over a tall man in a form-fitting navy henley, and then she paused, gazing at him in surprise. Logan. In jeans and a regular shirt. She continued to stare as he moved to her side, looking just as at ease as ever, and his hand went to her waist to pull her in to his embrace. His scent enveloped her, and she lifted her face for a kiss automatically.

But he only hugged her close, then released her.

Bront? was oddly disappointed.

“You look nice,” she told him with a small smile. “I almost didn’t recognize you out of a business suit.”

He grinned down at her, looking boyishly handsome, and it made her pulse pound. “It’s been a while. I admit that it seems like everything I have in my closet has somehow magically transformed into either workout clothing or a suit. I had Audrey pick me up a few things.” He ran a hand down his front and lifted his chin as if posing. “Do I pass muster?”

“You do,” she said with a small laugh.

“You look gorgeous,” he told her, his gaze devouring her body in the form-fitting sweater and jeans. “I’ve missed getting to look at you every day.”

Her breath quickened, and she gave another nervous laugh.

“I’ve missed that, too,” Logan said, grinning.

She couldn’t seem to stop smiling. When he offered her his arm, she placed her hand in the crook of it. “Where are we going?”

“I thought we’d grab something to eat and then see a movie.”

“What movie?”