Page 20 of Hard Deal
“Ugh, don’t remind me that you’re abandoning us,” she said with a huff. Lainey was about to head to London for her dream job working for a celebrity hair stylist, meaning Imogen would have to find a new roommate soon. “I’m still dark on you for leaving. Even though I hope the move is everything you want and all your dreams still come true.”
Lainey chuckled. “You can’t even jokingly say something mean to me.”
“That’s because I use up all my ‘mean’ at work.”
“And yet you’re going on a date with a colleague.” Lainey tapped a red lacquered nail to her chin. “Interesting.”
“I’m trading a date for information.” She shot her friend a serious look. “That’s why I’m not doing my hair and I’m not wearing fancy underwear. Because I’ll be coming home nice and early.”
“Why even bother wearing the date dress at all? Why not wear your work clothes?”
That was a good point. “I like this dress.”
“And don’t think I haven’t noticed that you’re wearing my shoes,” Lainey said in a smug tone. “You argued black and blue last time I tried to lend them to you.”
“They make my legs look good.” Imogen inspected the slender gold stilettos. They were tame by Lainey’s standards, but not by hers. “What’s wrong with wanting to feel confident?”
“Nothing, but I think it’s less about self-confidence and more that you want him to think you’re hot.”
Dammit. How did Lainey manage to see through her like that? She’d purposely avoided asking her hairdresser friend for help because she didn’t want to seem like she was putting in too much effort.
“A pair of nice shoes won’t do that. You should see all the women in his team.” Imogen rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure it’s a Victoria’s Secret prescreening zone.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
Before Imogen could respond, the rumbling of a car engine sounded in the driveway. Much to her surprise, Caleb’s ridiculous retina-searing Alfa was right on time. Lainey rushed to the window and peered out, making no move to hide her curiosity.
“He’s gorgeous.” Lainey gaped at her. “How the hell are you not interested in him?”
“He’s not my type.” She lifted one shoulder into a shrug. “He’s too...”
“Chiselled? Stylish? Mouth-wateringly handsome?”
“He’s too much like Mike.”
Even now, five years after her marriage had ended, saying his name was like taking a cleaver to her heart. She’d never admitted it aloud before, but the inkling had been there for too long. Caleb had way too much in common with her ex—that magnetic charisma that drew people in, being surrounded by beautiful women all the time, that slick way of getting what he wanted.
The difference was, Caleb never tried to hide the fact that he dated around. It was part of his persona.
“Oh, Immie.” Lainey pulled her in for a hug. “Not all men are like Mike, okay? You know that.”
“Yeah, I do. But I also know when I can objectively see similarities.” She sucked in a breath. “I’m protecting myself.”
A loud knock on the front door echoed through the apartment, and Imogen squared her shoulders. She was going to enjoy tonight and use it as an opportunity to make sure Caleb was prepared for his side of the deal. Then she would come home, granny undies intact, and forget that it ever happened.
* * *
“If you nurse that drink any longer you’ll have to file adoption papers,” Caleb said.
Imogen sat across the intimate table at Samantha. The restaurant had opened a few weeks ago and boasted a three-month wait list. Not to mention all the hoop-jumping required to even get on the list in the first place. But Caleb had pulled a few strings and secured a reservation. Perks of having the Allbrook name.
“I’m pacing myself,” she said. “No point chugging a good wine.”
“Worried you’ll get drunk and become susceptible to my charms?”
She scoffed. “I’d need to be drunk.”
“You know, some women do find me charming,” he said, his lip quirked. “I still haven’t figured out why you’re so impervious.”