I pulled my purse out of the drawer and pressed the button to put my laptop to sleep. “Okay. But this isn’t a date.”

“Of course not.”

“All right then.”

He winked. “It’s a negotiation.”

***

Apparently, I’d decided to take this negotiation thing very seriously, because I didn’t even wait until we got to the elevator before I started being difficult.

“Have you ever been to Gotham in Union Square?” Chase asked.

“That’s a date place. Too romantic. How about Legends in Midtown?”

“Do we have to eat at a dive bar for it to not qualify as a date? We’ll go to Elm Café, down the block.”

“Bossy,” I said under my breath.

Because it was after regular building hours, we rode the service elevator down to the back entrance and exited the building on 73rd Street. Elm Café was only two blocks away.

Of course, when we passed by Iron Horse Gym, Bryant happened to be walking toward the door at that very moment. Because that was just my luck.

He looked at me, then at the man standing next to me, and stopped.

“Reese. Hey. Are you coming to Iron Horse?”

I wasn’t sure if it was just me, or if everyone felt awkward. Perhaps it was guilt over running into my recent ex while standing next to my current…something. “Umm…no. We were just heading down the street to grab a bite to eat. You remember Chase?”

Bryant extended his hand. “Cousin, right?”

“Second cousin,” Chase shook. “By marriage. We’re not blood related.”

Of course Bryant didn’t understand the insinuation. But I did.

“Yes,” I gave Chase the evil eye. “Second cousin Chase.”

Bryant looked like he was going to say something, but changed his mind. “Well…I’m going to hit the gym. Guess I’ll see you around?”

“Sure. Take care, Bryant.”

Surprising me, Chase didn’t question the odd exchange or my status with Bryant as we continued on to the restaurant. In fact, he was relatively quiet while we walked the block and a half.

Once we arrived at Elm Café, he asked for a table for two, then added, “Something quiet and romantic, if you have it.”

The host sat us at a table off in the corner, and Chase pulled out my chair.

“Is this table romantic enough for you?” I asked sarcastically.

He sat. “I’ll just have to tell you all the things I’d like to do to you to make up for the lack of romance in the setting.”

I swallowed my sarcastic comeback, knowing better than to challenge him. If I was truly going to keep this a platonic relationship, it was best to limit the visuals. I was pretty good at imagining what I’d like him to do to me on my own. If I heard it from him—well, a girl has only so much willpower.

Luckily the waitress came over to take our drink order.

“I’ll have a Jack and Coke, and she’ll have a Peppermint Schnapps martini.”

I glared at him and spoke to the waitress. “She’ll just take a water. Thank you.”

When the waitress walked away, Chase was grinning. “What? It worked at the office Christmas party. Can’t blame me for trying.”

“I think rule number one is I’ll be staying sober if we’re alone.”

“Can’t trust yourself, huh?”

Totally. “You’re so full of yourself.”

After the waitress brought our drinks, Chase wasted no time telling me what had been on his mind the last few days.

“So sleeping with me is off the table, but what about sharing a meal occasionally?”

“You mean like dating?”

“No. You said dating was off the table, too.”

“So what would be the difference between sharing a meal and dating, then?”

“You wouldn’t come home with me after the meal.”

I laughed. “You say that as if all of your dates end up going home with you.”

He gave me a look that didn’t need to be accompanied by words.

Of course they all do. What am I thinking?

“God, you’re an ass.” I rolled my eyes.

“Is that a yes to twice-weekly meals together?”

“Do you have meals with all of your employees?”

“Does that matter?”

“It does, yes.”

“Well, I have dinner with Sam occasionally.”

I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms over my chest. “But not twice weekly.”

“No. Not that often.”

“Well, then I’m not sure it would be appropriate. We should probably stick to no more than what you do with other employees.”

Chase squinted, then gave me a sly grin and held up one finger. He proceeded to whip out his phone and make a call. I listened to half the conversation.

“Sam, can you have dinner with me twice a week?...Does it matter what it’s for?...Okay, then. I want to run things by you for the new rebranding campaign. I like your perspective….” He sighed. “Yes, fine. But we’ll order in on the night we eat at your place. I almost choked on that dry-as-shit chicken you forced me to eat last time.”

I couldn’t make out everything, but I heard Sam’s voice rise and a string of words yelled through the phone. When she took a breath, Chase forced the end of the conversation.

“Whatever you want. ’Night, Sam.” He looked delighted with himself when he hung up. “Yes, I do have twice-weekly dinners with other employees.”

I was in the mood to screw with him some more. “That’s different. Sam is your friend outside of the office. You two have been friends longer than she’s worked for you.”

“And we’ve known each other since you bled all over me in middle school.”

“I think you’re a little insane.”

“I’m starting to agree with you.” He sipped his Jack and Coke.

Chase’s cell phone buzzed, and a photo of a woman flashed on the screen. I saw it, and Chase knew I did.

“You can take it,” I told him. “I don’t mind.”

He hit reject, and then locked eyes with me. “That brings me to my next negotiation point.”

“There’s more? Maybe I should be having something stronger than water after all.”