“That’s not all,” Royce said, leaning against the ropes. “The rumors were true. The short list is for all five hospitals. Your pitch plus my connections, a couple of faked missed strokes on the golf course, and a little white lie equal one hell of a team.”

“What white lie?” Sam heard the whistle of air. Pain exploded in his cheek. He hit the mat, saw stars. Or were they dollar signs?

“You lose again, dude.” Evan crouched to help Sam up. “Want to go another round?”

“Are you kidding?” Royce said. “He doesn’t have time for fights. We need to make a plan. Everyone on the short list is scrambling to impress the board. We need to stand out from the crowd.” He popped the cork and poured the bubbly. “Evan, old friend, grab a couple of glasses for you and . . .” He waved vaguely at John. “This guy, whoever he is.”

“This is John Lee,” Sam said. “He’s an attorney in the law firm on the top floor of our building.”

“Hello and good-bye, John Lee.” Royce poured champagne into one of the plastic glasses Evan had procured. “We’re going to need your office space for our expansion once we have wined and dined Alpha Health Care into our pockets.”

John folded his arms across his chest. “We have a ten-year lease with the current landlord. We aren’t going anywhere.”

“Does the restaurant downstairs have the same lease?” Royce filled the final glass, splashing droplets of champagne on the mat.

“I haven’t seen it so I don’t know the terms. But I can tell you they are there for the long term. Their son, Dev, was a friend of mine. He bought the building with a few friends as an investment and they leased the top floor to my law firm, and the bottom two floors to his parents so they could move their restaurant from Sunnyvale into the city. They spent a small fortune on renovations.”

“Hmmm.” Royce twisted his lips to the side. “A minor hiccup, but not an insurmountable one. I promised Sam I’d do what it took to get that contract, and that’s exactly what I’ll do.” He handed out the glasses. “And now that the sad story is over, let’s toast to the success of Bentley Mehta World Corporation. Don’t hold back. I’ve sent another few cases to the office.”

Sam’s heart sank. “You’re back in town?”

“Are you kidding? You’re damn good on the business side, but you’re no rainmaker. People skills are not your forte. You threw the pitch and I’m going to bring it home.” Royce tapped glasses with Sam. “Cheers.”

* * *

• • •

“SAM.” Daisy glared at him when he walked into the office after his workout. She’d streaked her hair an angry shade of red that matched her lipstick, and with the death metal shirt and studded bracelets on her arms and neck, she looked every inch the Hell Demon her shirt proclaimed her to be.

“Daisy.” He nodded a greeting, clueless as to what he’d done to irritate her today but determined not to let her bring down his good mood. Tonight he was going to embrace his desi side again. Now that his company was on the Alpha Health Care short list, he could start looking forward, not back. The Patel family dinner was the perfect opportunity to finally let go of the past and show Layla his true self. He felt something for her that he’d never felt before, and he wanted everyone to know.

The office was the only thing that stood between them. He’d already contacted a real estate agent and made an urgent request to find new space in the same general area. If they won the Alpha Health Care contract they would just have to move, despite the prime location. And if they didn’t, he would just have to sell Royce on the benefits of a new office, because he wasn’t going to lose Layla over a game.

“I’ve left some contracts on your desk,” she said tightly. “And I’ve rescheduled the meetings with Bachelors #7 through #10. It’s all in your calendar.”

Puzzled, Sam frowned. “I’m pretty sure Layla would have canceled the rest of the blind dates.”

“She told me to reschedule them.” Daisy’s lips curved. “You may want to bring a change of clothes when you meet Bachelor #10. He’s a yoga instructor. Your tight pants might tear when you’re in firefly pose. Remember not to go commando.”

Sam’s stomach tightened into a knot. Why was Layla still going ahead with her search for a husband? He’d opened up last night at the bar. Bared his soul. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d told anyone he wanted more than a one-night stand. Thinking about the rest of the evening now, he realized she had been uncharacteristically quiet after talking to her mom. She’d turned down his offer to spend the night, telling him she needed to go through the paperwork from her father’s office. Maybe it was the truth. Or maybe she’d had second thoughts after he’d exposed his failings and almost crashed the car. Maybe she didn’t think he was worthy after all.

Daisy let out an impatient breath. “Anything you need me to do today, or should I just watch you stand there staring into space?”

He finally bit the bullet. “Is something wrong?”

“You coming to a family dinner tonight is all sorts of wrong, but other than that everything is peachy.” She pulled a dog treat out of her bag and offered it to Max, who was curled up in his basket beside her desk.

Sam drew in a deep calming breath and took a mental step back to the blissful moment before he’d walked in the door. “We found out this morning we were short-listed for the Alpha Health Care contract. Royce is in town and he wants to wine and dine the clients. Could you find a good restaurant that will take a big group on short notice? Talk to Royce about dates and venues. I’m sure he has some ideas.”

“Sure thing, boss man.”

Sam couldn’t think of anything more entertaining than watching Royce and Daisy butt heads, but he needed to get Layla out of the office in case Royce stopped by. Royce would be less than understanding if he saw her at his desk, and the last thing Sam wanted was for Layla to get hurt. Again.

• 20 •

“ARE you sure you’re ready for tonight?” Layla reached up to rub Sam’s shoulders like he was a prizefighter, sliding her hands down his arms to squeeze the muscles bulging under his suit jacket. The scent of his aftershave mingled with the scent of the body wash that they’d used when they’d showered together, and she was tempted to drag him back into his bedroom and have her way with him all over again.

“I’m ready.” He straightened his tie, adjusting the perfect knot.

“That was a nice, but naughty, way to celebrate getting short-listed for your big contract. I wish I had more time, but my mother needs help cooking the big family dinner.” She leaned up to kiss his cheek. Sam had spirited her out of the office on the pretense of going for coffee, but instead had her drive to his place and they’d spent the afternoon in bed.