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“I’d kill to know what thought just ran through that brilliant mind of yours,” he murmurs.

I jerk back in my seat, my cheeks warming instantly.

And then they grow even hotter when I realize he just called me brilliant.

“I need to get going,” I blurt out. I debate extending my hand for a shake—technically, this is a professional meeting—but realize I don’t trust myself to touch this man. So I just nod and stand from the table.

“Okay, I’m just going to grab our tab,” Lucas says, already looking around for our waitress.

And this. This moment is why I paid.

“I took care of it,” I say evenly, watching Lucas closely for his reaction to a woman paying for him.

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of sexism in my line of work. For the longest time, private investigators were all men. And maybe it started to shift a little when more of the investigations became electronic, but it’s still male-dominated. It’s one of the reasons my nickname works so well for me: people think I’m a man through emails.

And if Lucas has any of that bullshit old-school sexist mentality, I need to know.

Surprise lights in his eyes. Which is valid, because he’s the one trying to snag me. He should be the one paying.

But instead of bristling, or becoming embarrassed, or trying to fight me on it, a delighted grin slowly pulls at his lips, growing bigger and bigger, until I become distracted by his Colgate smile.

Whatever I thought his reaction would be, it’s definitely not him leaning in to say, “If you wanted to take me on a date, all you had to do was ask, Charli.”

My jaw drops. “I didn’t want⁠—”

He’s chuckling as he buttons up his suit jacket. “Relax. I had to get one lighthearted tease in before we’re officially partnered.”

My shock turns into a glare. “I haven’t agreed to the job.”

“You will,” he says with a wink as he turns away and leaves without another word.

SEVEN

CHARLI

I agree to the job.

As annoyed as I am about Lucas being correct in his assumption, the fact of the matter is that it’s a decent, well-paying gig that takes me a little farther away from living paycheck to paycheck. I don’t have any good reasons not to take it.

I’m in the middle of my apartment search, trying to figure out which areas are the ones to stay away from, when my laptop chirps with an email notification.

Charli,

This is wonderful news (that I hadn’t dared to hope for)! I’m very glad to hear I was able to sway you to join our winning team.

Best,

Lucas

I roll my eyes. I’m fully aware of the fact that he knew he had me before we parted ways.

Lucas,

It’s only a winning team because I’m now on it. Don’t you remember how we met?

Best,

Charli