I couldn’t stop replaying the meeting with Darcy in my head, specifically the exact moment when he smiled at me.
Dimples. The man had dimples.
For someone who spent 90% of his time looking like he was silently judging the world, it was completely unfair that he also had the kind of boyish charm that could temporarily erase all memory of his usual frostiness. It was like discovering a grumpy, unapproachable statue could wink—disturbing, confusing, and just plain rude.
Groaning into my coffee cup, I tried to convince myself that it meant nothing. So what if Darcy had laughed? It didn’t change the fact that he was still cold, arrogant, and capable of making me want to throw office supplies at his head at least twice a day.
And yet… that stupid, rare smile stuck in my brain like a song lyric I couldn’t shake.
Worse, I couldn’t stop thinking about the deal.
What in God’s name had possessed me to blurt out that offer? Fake-dating William Darcy? Had I lost my entire mind?
Just as I was in the middle of mentally scolding myself, Alex sauntered into the breakroom, impossibly confident as usual. His tie was slightly loosened, his sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his toned forearms, and he leaned against the counter with his signature smirk.
“Hollis,” he said smoothly, dragging out my name like he was savoring it. “So, how’s the royal divorce case going? Have you managed to charm Darcy yet, or is he still doing that ‘brooding ice king’ thing?”
I shot him a withering glare over my coffee mug. “Oh, sure. We’re besties now. He even gave me his dimples. It’s all very touching.”
Alex chuckled. “Yeah, in your dreams.”
I smirked, trying to mask my flustered state. “In fact,” I lied, “he asked me out.”
Alex’s smirk faltered ever so slightly, his jaw tightening for a fraction of a second. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing playfully but with a hint of something sharper underneath. “Jealous?” I added, my voice dripping with mockery.
“Jealous?” Alex repeated, stepping even closer. “Of him?” He chuckled softly, but there was no humor in it. “Not in a million years, Hollis.” His voice dipped lower, his dark gaze locking with mine. “You think I’d let someone like Darcy one-up me?”
My pulse quickened, and I hated myself for the way my heart fluttered at his words. His hand brushed mine on the counter, a fleeting touch that left me breathless.
Before either of us could speak, Alex’s assistant appeared in the doorway. “Alex, your three o’clock is ready in Conference Room 2.”
Alex sighed, stepping back and flashing me a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Guess I’ll have to let you off the hook this time, Hollis,” he said, winking before walking out.
Later that afternoon, Alex approached my desk again. “Got a minute?” he asked casually.
I followed him into his office, my nerves jangling. As soon as the door closed, he leaned against his desk, crossing his arms.
“You’ve been working too hard lately,” he said, his smirk softening.
“Isn’t that the point?” I asked, frowning. “You’re the one piling on the assignments.”
“Exactly,” he said, grinning. “Which is why I think you’ve earned a reward. How about dinner?”
My heart skipped a beat. “Dinner?”
“You know, the thing where two people sit at a table, eat food, and maybe talk about things other than work?” he teased.
I hesitated. “Are you asking me on a date?”
“Would it kill you to say yes?” he said, handing me a sticky note with a restaurant name scribbled on it. “Friday. Seven. Dress nice.”
As I stared at the note, my heart raced. Alex Carrington had just asked me out. What the hell had I gotten myself into?