she said. “Apologies if I didn’t teach you the Collatz conjecture while making sure a five-tiered fondant cake in the shape of a swan was invoiced to the right address.”
“Eight,” he said.
“What?”
“It was eight tiers. And it was hardly a swan.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
“And you said Georgetown, so I’m guessing you grew up here.”
“Great Falls,” she told him.
“Really? That’s… moderately affluent,” he said.
“You seem surprised.”
“It’s just with not having a father—”
“I had a father,” she said sharply. “And he didn’t pass until I was in high school.”
“Sorry,” Connor said as he lowered his head.
The anger sloughed off of her. It wasn’t his fault that he could act like such a prick, really. Remember his family, or father? It’s a miracle he wasn’t a psychopath. Maybe he’s just curious about you! “It’s okay,” she said. “Sorry I snapped.”
He smiled. “Who’s your best friend?”
“I, um, I don’t want to tell you that right now. If it’s brought up at events, just say I’m too busy with work.”
“A secret,” he said as he leaned toward her. “But why?”
“I met her in college,” Sam said slowly. She finished her second glass. “She was a history major.” Shut up. “She’s, um, the sister of the president.”
“President of what? Which company?” Connor asked. He was inches away from her.
She raised her brows. “The United States,” she said.
“Oh. What? You mean your best friend’s—”
She hushed him. “Can we just move on?” she whispered. “How about you give me some information?”
“I think going to my parents’ place was plenty of intel,” he said.
“Okay, then what’s up with the schedule from hell? Why am I required to go to all these lunches and everything?”
“Good question! You should ask my father. It’s not my doing. I just showed up for my first day as COO this morning and was handed this schedule by the most annoying assistant ever.”
“You mean James? He seemed nice. If a little nosy.”
Connor groaned. “It turns out, I’m more the ‘face of Trezor’ than the COO. I don’t know, this is something I’ll have to address with my father. I don’t want to talk about it anymore, I’ve spent all day dealing with it. All I can tell you is that I don’t want to be on this ride any more than you do, but for now we’re both stuck with it.”
She felt sorry for him. He was willing to put on this big façade, pay her a generous amount to play along, and it turned out all his dad had done was slap a title on him before showing him around like a prize pony. “Connor, I’m sorry,” she said. “That’s terrible.”
“Thanks,” Connor said as he finished his own flute. “It certainly makes my father look good, though. So, back to you. How’s the love life?”
She looked down and felt a cold sweat as it broke out along her skin. What the hell was she supposed to tell him? “Not very exciting at the moment,” she said quietly.
“No? Why not, is there something wrong with you?” he asked.
She bristled at the accusation. “Wrong with me?” she asked. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. That’s your wife you’re talking about.”
He laughed and held up his hands. “Sorry! It’s just that you’re hot. You’re educated. You have a job. So, what’s the deal?”
She chewed on her cheek and debated how much to tell him. Somehow, she didn’t think he’d be very impressed if she said she’d only gone all the way once, when she was young—and that it was nearly traumatizing. “Just busy,” she said with a shrug. “What are you, some mother from the 1950s trying to get me married off?”
“I just can’t figure it out. That’s all,” Connor said. “So, you’re not dating—”
“That’s not what I said,” she replied quickly, covering. “You asked about my love life. The guys I’m dating don’t really qualify as much more than a little fun.” She smiled at him as she regained her footing in this odd dance.
“Guys,” he repeated. “As in plural.”
She nodded. “I mostly prefer models,” she said. Well, at least that’s true! “Which makes the pickings kind of slim in DC. But you know how it is.”
“Good on you!” he said. “I’m proud. Impressed.”
She shrugged. “They don’t ask many questions. They like to party, so it keeps things light.” Another tidbit of truth. You’re really on a roll! Connor doesn’t need to know that a lot of partying equates to not remembering what they did sexually… or not. Sam had no idea how many models