“What’s wrong?” she asks with a smirk.
“It’s startling how quickly you snapped off that leg.”
“Let that be a reminder to you, JP. Don’t cross me.”
“Clearly.” I reach for the crab and, gently, because I’m not some sort of barbarian, remove a leg and pull out the meat. When I dip it into the butter, I watch it drip, and drip . . . and drip.
Fuck.
When I glance up at Kelsey, she’s just smiling at me with that knowing grin of hers. She lifts up the plastic bib and wiggles it at me.
“Just give it to me,” I say, snatching it from her grasp, causing her to tip her head back and laugh.
I fix the bib around my neck and scoot my chair closer to the table.
“Oh, don’t you look adorable?”
“If you take a picture, I’m going to—”
She lifts her phone and smiles just as I see her finger press against the screen. “Oops, too late.” She smiles again and stares at the screen. “Ooo, this might be my favorite of the night. It’s a keeper.”
“Teasing your boss isn’t in your best interest.”
“You’re technically not my boss as you just oversee things. If we want to get down to the nitty-gritty, my boss is Huxley, as you’ve pointed out to me, and I’m sure he’ll give me a raise once he sees the ‘data’ I’ve collected tonight.”
Unfortunately, I think she’s correct.
“I’ll still report insubordination.”
“Good luck with that.” She winks and then rips loose another crab leg. “Now, will you please tell me why this place isn’t suitable for you? Clearly, the crab is delicious, the views are amazing, the attire . . . top-notch. How could this not appeal to you?”
“It’s gimmicky.”
She rolls her eyes. “Just what I thought, you’re a snob. Don’t hate on a place that does it right for the people who come to visit. This is fulfilling dreams for me right now. Eating crab by the pier, boats just outside the window in the bay, the old subway tile from floor to ceiling, and the simple dining room tables that aren’t quite nautical but offer nautical vibes. This is everything. So, excuse me if I find this completely fulfilling. Now if only the grump sitting across from me would lighten up.”
“This just isn’t my ideal night.”
“Uh-huh. You say that as if you have an ideal night in mind.”
“I do.” I pop a fry into my mouth, and my answer causes her to grow a curious look.
She leans forward, her hand supporting her chin as she says, “Oh, please, do tell.”
“I don’t have to tell you,” I say. “I’m going to show you.”
“Show me?”
I nod. “Tomorrow night, when you’re done with your meetings. I’m showing you what my ideal night in San Francisco is.”
She spreads her hand on the table and in a dramatic tone, she asks, “Wait, so this friendship we’re developing, it isn’t just a one-night thing?”
“This isn’t a friendship, it’s a . . . short-term companionship.”
She laughs out loud, and the addictive sound draws the attention of the tables around us. “Wow, no wonder you’re in charge of the media for Cane Enterprises. You sure know how to spin things. Okay, I’ll bite. This short-term companionship, it’s going to continue tomorrow?”
“Yes,” I answer, taking another fry. Have to admit, this shit is good, despite the goddamn bib. “And I’ll show you exactly what a night out on the town is like.”
“Bet it won’t be better than tonight.”
“Guaranteed it will be.”
“Listen, Julian Prince . . .” She pauses with a wince, waiting to see if she’s correct. I just shake my head, and her shoulders droop. “I gathered damning evidence of you on a carousel and wearing a bib. Nothing is going to beat this.”
“That’s what you think,” I say before grabbing another crab leg.
“Okay . . . admit it, this is good,” Kelsey says around her mouthful of ice cream.
When I first met Kelsey, I thought she was this hot, uptight organizer with a dream to fall in love. But I now realize that she had maintained her guarded, professional fa?ade even when we were hanging out with Huxley and Lottie at their house. But slowly, as this night has unfolded, I’ve seen her relax more and more. She’s now talking to me with ice cream on her lips and fudge on the corner of her mouth.
It’s . . . hell, it’s endearing.