Chapter 1 Days like today, I needed an assistant. Not that I could afford one, but a girl could dream. Heck, I'd settle for eight arms. Octopus me would be unstoppable. Instead, I was stuck with a measly two. So utterly pedestrian. Kicking the door shut behind me, I juggled my load as I navigated my porch steps, avoiding the loose board that needed fixing. At the gate separating my postage-stamp yard from the sidewalk, I hesitated. Put everything down to open it or take a running leap? Neither option thrilled me, but sometimes improvising was a necessity. Before I could make what would likely be a very poor decision-the gate was low, and I was relatively bouncy-Ben Wells, my new neighbor and future brother-in-law of my best girl, Shira, bounded out of his house, which was conveniently attached to mine. Well, sometimes it was convenient, like when I needed help carrying heavy objects. Other times, listening to him sing through our shared walls made me want to gouge my ears out. Being that cheerful was unnatural, yet Ben was still immensely likable. Not my type at all. Tall, muscular, ruggedly handsome guys did nothing for me, which was a shame. Then again, getting involved with a neighbor was too messy for my taste, so it was for the best I didn't feel a twinge of attraction toward this man. He slowed when he spotted me stuck behind my three-foot-tall iron gate. "What's happening over there, Buzz?" he asked as he strolled over. "I'm thinking," I replied, letting his ridiculous nickname slide. If I fought him on it, he would only be encouraged. He tipped his chin toward the boxes in my arms. "Thinking looks heavy. Need some help?" "I could do with some of that." I might've been fiercely independent, sometimes to a fault, but I wasn't stupid. If Ben was offering his big, rugby-player arms, I'd make good use of them. "Would you mind carrying these boxes to my trunk?" Without hesitation, he lifted the load like it weighed nothing. Show-off. "What's the job today?" "Nox Cyber. It's a last-minute gig, but if all goes well, it might turn into a regular thing." I needed that to happen. My bills were paid, no problem, but Denver was an expensive city, so getting ahead was nearly impossible unless I worked two jobs, which I did. But working two jobs was for the birds, and last I checked, I was featherless. "I'm confident you'll charm them into it." I gave him a dry stare as I popped my trunk. "You and I both know being charming is more your thing than mine." He secured the boxes and turned back to me, his gaze sweeping over my black-on-black outfit-a fitted top with my bee-and-daisy catering logo on the chest, tailored pants, and flats. My blue curls were pinned neatly at my nape, and the only sparkle I wore was the tiny silver stud in my nose. I didn't exactly scream corporate, but it was as conservative as I got. "I'd hire you," he stated with confidence, as he did most things. "You're the only person I know who could make catering a business meeting look cool." I arched a brow. "Do you know many caterers?" "I've met a few." He booped my nose. Had it been anyone but him, it would have infuriated me. "You are by far the most competent. In fact, when I talk about you to other people-" "You talk about me?" He nodded merrily. "Obviously." Waving me off like it wasn't weird, he continued, "Like I was saying, when I talk about you, I say, 'That Beatrice Novak is the most competent caterer I've ever known.'" I squinted at him. "What kind of absurdly boring conversations are you having, Wells?" "Wouldn't you like to know?" His grin was all mischief. "Actually, no." I backed toward my SUV, my hands raised. "Whatever you get up to when you're not in my presence is none of my business." "I get up to lots of things, Bea." He waggled his eyebrows. "You truly have no idea." "Good. Let's keep some mystery between us. It's better that way." Ben pressed the button to close my trunk and stepped back with a satisfied nod. "I like the way you think, Novak. The longer we're acquainted, the more we'll keep discovering each other. In a year or two, we'll be best friends." "I already have best friends." He waved me off again. "Clara and Shira will share you with me," he said, as if it were a done deal and I had no say in it. I had no idea how to reply. Luckily, Ben wasn't looking for an answer. He tapped the side of my car, shot me a wide grin, and called, "Good luck with your gig. Not that you'll need it, with all your competency." I couldn't help but return his smile. "Thanks for your confidence. And lending your muscles." He winked. "Anytime." When I arrived at Nox Cyber, I was greeted by Paul, the office manager who'd hired me. He showed me into the conference room to set up and stayed to watch me like he was afraid I'd steal something if he left me alone. Corporate gigs weren't new to me. I'd been catering for two years. Being side-eyed by uptight suits or ignored altogether was the norm and no skin off my back. Years of waitressing had made me used to being overlooked or mentally undressed while doing my job. "Do you work with a lot of companies in the city?" Paul asked, propping a hip against the long, sleek conference table. I glanced up from the charcuterie cups I was arranging. "I do. I assumed that was how you got my name." For a guy who worked at a tech company, Paul had "finance bro" written all over him. Not that I was an expert, but I'd spent enough time in boardrooms to sense vibes in each industry. His swooping side part, fitted chinos, button-down, and fleece vest were the uniform of his people, but he'd gotten lost somewhere along the way and had wandered into a cybersecurity firm. He folded his arms. "You were on the approved vendor list, actually." "Oh." That surprised me since I didn't have any contacts at Nox. "Is it a long list?" "It isn't. Our regular caterer suddenly bailed, and no one else could squeeze us in at the last minute. You were our last hope." If he was trying to neg me, it wasn't working. I plastered on my best smile and said, "Lucky for you, I had an opening in my schedule." He sniffed. "Are you so busy there was a chance you wouldn't?" Putting the final cup down, I faced him, still smiling, though he didn't deserve it. Whatever stick he'd sat on was making him ultra grumpy, and I was getting the brunt of it. I'd been nothing but friendly, and he was giving me grief for no good reason. Like he was waving his dick at me just to show me it was big. "There's always a chance, Paul." I tucked my hands in my pockets. "I've been running the Denver side of Grazing by Daisy and Bea for almost two years. We're still growing, but our calendar fills up fast. If you'd called on a Wednesday or Thursday, the answer would've been no. Fortunately for us both, my Tuesday mornings are free. For now." "Right." He tugged on his vest zipper. "Lucky us." "It is lucky." I took a step toward him. "I have a feeling I saved your butt today, so I'm not sure why you're challenging me. Anyway, everything's set for the meeting. Unless there's something else, I have another job to get to." Nostrils flaring, he surveyed the spread I'd just finished arranging. It was picture-perfect-charcuterie cups, mini muffins, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and juice, all arranged with my custom bee-and-daisy napkins and a few paper flowers I'd crafted-little touches that had gotten me on so many vendor lists. I was hoping Nox Cyber would be next. I could deal with Paul if it meant more money in my pockets. Finally, Paul met my gaze. "Everything looks great," he admitted, though it sounded like it pained him. "Thank you for fitting us in. I scheduled the remainder of your payment to be sent this afternoon." I saluted him. "Appreciated very much, Paul. If there's nothing else, I'll gather my things and clear out." "There's nothing else. I have to see to a few things before the meeting starts." He hesitated at the door. "Will you be able to see yourself out?" I read the undercurrent in his question loud and clear. Can I trust you not to steal the projector and everything else not nailed down if I leave you to your own devices? Will you exit quietly without embarrassing me? Will I return to find you passed out with a needle sticking out of your arm? Paul truly had trust issues. I flashed him my dimples. "I'll be fine and out of here in a minute or two." Turning away, I focused on packing up. I had another job across town at the Levy building, and I'd taken extra time here, so I needed to hustle. With everything loaded into my bags, I slid the straps over my shoulder, picked up a box, and headed for the door. I should've been paying attention, but my mind was already on my next gig, which is why I ran straight into a man in the doorway. I gasped, stumbling back. I would've gone down if a strong hand hadn't caught my elbow and steadied me. "I'm so sorry, I-" I looked up, and my apology froze on my lips. I knew that face. It had been almost two years since we'd been face to face, but his features were imprinted on my memory. Raven-black hair, deep-brown eyes behind wire-framed glasses, the cleft in his square chin...they were all the same as the last time I saw him. Tore. A name as easy to remember as the rest of him. He stepped aside, his expression impassive. "Go right ahead." Nothing. Not even a flicker of recognition. In fact, he'd barely looked at me. That stung more than it should have. Heart in my throat, I slipped past the only man who'd ever ghosted me, hightailing it out of Nox Cyber without a backward glance. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!