Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Joshua
The department store was teeming with people.
I fought my way through the crowds to the jewelry displays at the far end of the store, where I knew Hollie would be.
I’d happily agreed to lend her one of my top stylists to help her arrange her new concession at Harvey Nichols.
Little did she know, she was going to be repaying me for that favor sooner than she thought.
I’d nearly tried to kiss Hartford again last night.
Even now, thinking about her having a crush on me had my dick hardening. I needed to take action.
“Joshua!” Hollie said as she spotted me. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see your fantastic success. How did Camilla get on?”
“Oh my God, thank you for lending her to me. She’s so creative and really helped me make the most of the range.” She stopped and put her hand on my shoulder. “Can you believe I’m in Harvey Nichols?”
“Absolutely I can. Your stuff is great.” I could see why Vogue made such a fuss about Hollie. She was really talented.
“I know, but I’m two rows over from Dior and Chanel. It’s crazy.”
“You do have a very good spot here. It’s going to be a roaring success.” I glanced down into the glass counters where her jewelry was displayed against a sea-green background. “It all looks very fresh. Not too much.”
“Exactly,” she replied. “That’s exactly what I was going for. I’m only here for a trial in the beginning so we’ll see what happens. But I swear, I’m happy to come and work behind the counter if it means they keep my stuff here. I can’t think of anything better.”
“You’ve done brilliantly, Hollie. It’s well deserved.”
“Thanks, Joshua. And I appreciate your help. Now tell me why you’re really here?”
Yeah, she’d seen right through me. I didn’t usually just drop by Harvey Nichols, but after last night, I needed her help to find Hartford someone she’d really like.
“I think you know that I’ve been setting up dates for Hartford—you know, to expand her social circle a little.
I’m looking for someone for her second date.
I was wondering if you knew anyone?” Hollie met a lot of people between her business and attending functions with Dexter, and I was hoping she’d know someone who’d be a good fit for Hartford.
I’d spent far too much time with her recently.
The lines had gotten blurred. I needed to redraw them.
Hollie leaned her hip against the counter and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Let me get this clear.” She paused. “You think you want me to suggest someone Hartford could go out with?”
Her question was worded strangely. “Erm, I’m not quite sure I follow you, but yes. I need help getting her a date. You like Hartford, right? She’s funny and interesting and so passionate about her work.”
God, I’d been so close to kissing her last night.
In the moments after she’d stood to leave and before she’d moved to the door, it was all I could do not to grab her by the hips and drag her closer, fitting my mouth against hers.
I couldn’t make that same mistake again.
We’d agreed. And it was clear she didn’t want me like that anymore than I wanted . . .
“She’s all those things,” Hollie agreed.
“Right, and I need to find a man worthy enough to date her. You must know someone. Someone you would date if you weren’t married to Dexter. Someone worthy of you.”
She paused, narrowing her eyes at me. “I do know someone, actually.”
“Oh yeah? Tell me about him.” I took a steadying breath, preparing myself to believe the best about whoever Hollie had in mind.
“Sure. He’s gorgeous—could have been a model if he wasn’t so busy running a company of his own and making big money. He’s kind, funny, smart as hell. Hasn’t been in a long-term relationship for a long time, but I think he’s ready.”
I cleared my throat. “Right, well . . . he sounds great. How do you know him?”
“Met him after I moved here, actually.” She paused, reaching for something under the counter. In her hands she held a flat, black oval—maybe a picture frame. Hollie beckoned me closer, then flipped the item she held: a mirror. “It’s you, you big dummy.”
A chill raced down my spine. “Absolutely not. I don’t . . . get involved with women.”
“But you like Hartford,” she said.
“Of course I like Hartford.” I couldn’t imagine anyone not liking Hartford. She was one of those people who just made everyone instantly comfortable. Another reason why I needed to get a bit of distance. I was too comfortable hanging out with her.
“So why don’t you take her on her second date?”
I snorted. “I told you I don’t do relationships.
I need a guy she might like who does do relationships.
Someone who might turn into a second date.
Maybe even give her mother the grandchildren she’s so desperate for.
” I wasn’t about to share the fact that I’d kissed her or that Hartford used to have a crush on me. I’d never hear the end of it.
Hollie’s look said she had already given me the answer I was looking for. But she hadn’t.
“You must know someone,” I said. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place.
Perhaps I should speak to my mate Nathan.
His brothers were all doctors. One of them might take her out.
A doctor would more likely understand where Hartford was coming from—her need to help people and the dedication she had to her career.
“I’ll have a think about it. But you should consider taking her to dinner.”
Hollie wasn’t getting it, which surprised me; she was normally pretty switched on. “We have dinner all the time because we live next door to each other.”
Hollie laughed. “How the six of you guys managed to make your billions, I have no idea. Y’all can be dumb as rocks at times.”
I frowned at her. “Oi. Less of the abuse, thank you.”
“Joshua, you like Hartford. It’s obvious. And that’s great. I know it’s not your usual M.O. but it’s good. Take her out. Make her swoon. I have it on very good authority that she’s fantasized about having her way with you.”
Hollie’s smirk told me I hadn’t managed to pick my jaw up off the floor fast enough. “It’s not like that between us. We’re friends. And like I said, I’m not interested in a relationship.”
She looked at me like I might be the most stupid person on earth.
“Joshua, Joshua, Joshua. I’ll try to think of someone else I think might be right for Hartford, but I suggest you have a big think yourself about whether or not you actually want someone else taking her out.
When you come to your senses and realize what’s right in front of you, she might not be available anymore. ”
That sounded perfect. The sooner Hartford wasn’t single, the better.