Page 51 of Turn Me On
Priyam’s brown eyes dance with mischief. “But of course.”
“I bet Maddox schools us all. I have a feeling he’s one of those secret golf pros,” Zane says, then winks at me. Not a revealing wink—a client wink—and I love that he knows which one to give in public. “You’re on, Priyam. I’ll even bring my purple bow tie to New York.”
“Let’s make bow ties a thing,” Priyam says, sounding so delighted with Zane that I mentally pump a fist. If all goes well, perhaps I can close this deal today.
I get behind the cart’s wheel, and they hop in too. Priyam tosses a glance back at Zane. “Did I mention it was mini golf I played?”
Zane laughs, then pats Priyam’s shoulder. “I’m still expecting you to win big time, even if there aren’t clowns or windmills on the course.”
* * *
I’m in the lead, Priyam’s right behind me, and Zane is caboosing his way through the course. But on the sixth hole, Priyam’s phone rings. After he checks the screen, he turns to us. “I’m so sorry. That’s my daughter,” he says, then excuses himself to walk away several feet, out of earshot.
Zane shoots me an expectant look, five-iron in hand. “It’s going well, right?”
Iwantto clap him on the shoulder and reassure him, but I resist touching him. “You’re doing great,” I say.
“He’s a fun guy. Sharp sense of humor. Like you,” Zane says.
I narrow my eyes. “Don’t develop a crush on him,” I tease, feeling safe enough with company nearby but out of earshot.
Zane’s quiet, looking like he’s working something out in his head. Eventually, he squares his shoulders and breathes out hard, as if girding himself for something dangerous. “I won’t. Besides,” he says, “I’m pretty single-minded with my crushes these days.”
Oh, hell.
Electricity crackles in my chest. I don’t give in and say,Me too, but I’m sure all my feelings are written on my face.
I manage to rasp out a strangled, “Is that so?”
“Yup,” he says, his eyes not leaving me as he deals me one of his stomach-flipping bedroom stares. “Just this one sexy, smart, savvy guy.”
My temperature shoots to the sky, frying my restraint. I want to step closer to Zane, whispersame here.
But I hear Priyam saygoodbye—a clear reminder I can’t play this dangerous game with others around. I shouldn’t play it at all.
The third in our trio strides back to us over the grassy knoll, folding his hands together in apology. “I’m so sorry. My granddaughter is having a crisis.”
“What’s wrong?” Zane asks, concerned.
“Apparently, Chandra’s no longer playing a goblin in her school play. She’s playing the wizard. It’s the lead, and she wants to run lines with me. I was a theater kid,” he says with an apologetic smile. “She saysPop-pop is the only one who can help. She’s already dramatic,” he says with so much delight.
“I’m glad that’s the crisis,” I say, smiling with relief.
“I have to go Zoom with her before her rehearsal. I hope you don’t mind if I cut this short.”
Disappointment sinks in my gut. There goes my hope of finalizing this partnership today.
“Of course not. You should go,” I say quickly. He shouldn’t feel bad for taking off, even though I wanted to leave with a gentleman’s offer in hand, not simply a dinner promise.
“Pop-pop to the rescue,” Zane chimes in.
Priyam gestures to the next hole beyond a sand trap. “But this is a great course. Stay. Finish the round. I can walk back to the clubhouse.”
“We can go back with you,” Zane offers. “No problem.”
Priyam scoffs. “I wouldn’t dream of it. It’s a beautiful day. Stay.Please.”
Clearly, it’s important to Priyam that we finish, andclearlythis deal will have to wait another day, so I say yes. “But you take the cart. We’ll walk the last few holes.”