Page 109 of Just for the Plot

I refuse to let her grow attached to someone else right in front of my fucking eyes. Not happening, which means I’m not holding back anymore.

And it starts tonight.

“This is incredible,” Bower says as we make our way out to the private rooftop where the dinner is being held.

Brick walls line the perimeter mixed with potted plants and string lights. There’s a long dinner table in the middle, decked out with candles,moss centerpieces that run the length of the table, and earth-toned dishware. The wooden chairs that line the table are all eclectic in their own way, while olive-green velvet table linens soften the setting.

It’s the perfect atmosphere for me to make my move.

Not to mention we’re supposed to act like a couple, so I’m going to take advantage—as much as she will allow.

“Bower,” an older woman in a silk skirt and sweater says, walking up to us. Her skin appears soft, but with laugh lines in the corner of her eyes and mouth. Her hair is solid white and tied back into a low bun, while her lips are dusted in a rosy pink. She gives off elegance but with a hint of kindness in her eyes. “Thank you for coming.”

“Of course.” Bower, in her mouthwatering shirt, turns toward me and says, “Bennett, this is my boss, Adalade. Adalade, this is Bennett.”

Adalade slowly looks me over, a smile pulling on her lips. “Bennett, it’s so nice to meet you. Bower has said such wonderful things about you.”

“I can definitely say the same,” I say, taking Adalade’s hand and giving it a gentle shake. “Thank you for moving to San Francisco. You really did me a solid by bringing Bower closer to me.”

Adalade chuckles, her hand to her chest. “My, what a charmer.”

“Only speaking the truth,” I say as I wrap my arm around Bower.

“Well, then maybe Bower needs to consider that you could be more than friends.”

Now that’s what I’m fucking talking about.

“Oh stop it,” Bower says, her cheeks actually red. “We’re here to play matchmaker, not the other way around. So tell us where Draco is.”

Adalade sighs. “Sadly, he had to cancel.”

“Oh.” Bower looks up at me, as if questioning why we’re here. “I’m sorry to hear that. Do you want us to go?”

Adalade shakes her head. “Absolutely not. You both dressed up. You look stunning, and I want you to have a good night.”

“But are you going to be okay?”

“Of course. It’s a beautiful night and I’m surrounded by people fascinated to hear my story. It’s a dream. But you must know, I told our host, Anita, that you two are a couple.” She winks. “Don’t let me down.”

“We won’t,” I say and then take Bower by the hand and lead her over to the quaint bar by a large lounge.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers after I order two glasses of wine for us.

“Sorry for what?” I turn toward her, my breath catching in my chest from just how goddamn perfect she is.

Makeup, no makeup. Sweatpants or dress. She’s stunning at every angle. And tonight, under the string lights, she’s just so perfect.

“For making you come tonight when the guy didn’t even show up.”

“You act as if this is a hardship for me.”

“It’s your night off. I’m sure the last thing you want to be doing is wearing a suit and standing on a roof with a bunch of people you don’t know.”

“The way I see it is I get to hang out with you, drink some fancy-as-shit wine, and eat probably one of the best meals we’re ever going to have. Also, I probably would have been hanging out with you anyway, so we’re just in a different setting.”

She glances back at the dressed-up table. “It does look like it’s going to be a fancy dinner.” Then she looks at the bar. “And the wine does seem fancy.” And then her eyes set on mine. “And I could have seen us reading together tonight.”

“Exactly, which means…you shouldn’t be apologizing.” The bartender sets down two glasses of wine and I give him a twenty before handing Bower a glass. I clink mine with hers. “To an evening full of the unknown.”