The Way You Tempt Me. Elle Wright

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      He’d thought about everything, weighed the possible pros and cons. In the past, Xavier had made very questionable decisions, based on emotions and appearances.

      “I’m doing the right thing.” Xavier stood, picked up his laptop. “Tonight is the night I will propose to Naomi. Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

      “Fine. If this is what you want, I’m going to support you.”

      “Thanks. I have to run an errand. I’ll be back in an hour.”

      Xavier left his father’s office and hurried to his own office to drop off his things. Grabbing his jacket, he told his assistant, Jennifer, to hold his calls; then he rushed to the elevator. He responded to a client while he waited for the car and sent a text to another. When the door opened, he stepped inside. As soon as he exited the elevator, his phone buzzed.

      “What’s the word, bruh?” Xavier breezed past a crew in the process of decorating one of the many Christmas trees that would adorn the lobby leading up to the holiday in a few weeks.

      “Shit,” Duke answered.

      Since they were kids, Duke Young had been a constant in Xavier’s life, since their fathers were best friends. They’d seen each other through stupid decisions, crazy exes, and even an overnight stint in jail.

      “Is everything all set?” Xavier’s phone buzzed, indicating another call was coming in. He glanced at the screen and hit IGNORE. His cousin, Skye, would have to wait.

      “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” his friend asked. “Of course, we’re all set.”

      Voted one of the hottest chefs of his generation, Duke had blazed a trail in the culinary industry, winning multiple awards and turning the food game on its ears. He’d recently won a reality-television contest for best chef and was currently wielding all kinds of offers, from product endorsements to lucrative job offers to cookbook deals. He’d even managed to snag a deal as an underwear model.

      “Did the florist come to the house?”

      Xavier had spared no expense, hiring one of the top floral artists to decorate his condo for the proposal.

      “She just left,” Duke said. “But not before I got her number for tonight.”

      “You just make sure the entrée is on point, before you hook up with Samantha.”

      “I got you, bruh. You know that.”

      “Thanks, man. I need this entire thing to go off without a hitch.”

      “At least the food will be good.” Duke laughed. “That is the only thing that I’m sure about.”

      “Shut the hell up, man.” He’d heard all of his friend’s reservations about Naomi and the proposal multiple times since he’d asked him to prepare the meal for the occasion. And after the conversation he’d just had with his dad, he didn’t want to hear it again.

      “I’m just sayin’... Despite the slammin’ dinner, the whole engagement thing doesn’t sit right with me. But it’s your life.”

      “Exactly, so stop talking about it.” The phone buzzed in his ear again. Xavier glanced at the screen. His father. Hitting IGNORE, he said, “Bruh, once you’re finished, you can go ahead and go. I’ll probably be done here a little early today, because I want to take care of some things at the house.”

      “I don’t just cook a masterpiece and walk away. Part of my process is the presentation.”

      “For someone else, yes. But not for me.”

      Another call buzzed in his ear. Skye again. For a second, he wondered if something was wrong. But he quickly brushed that worry off, because she would have sent a text.

      Xavier stopped at a coffee kiosk in the lobby, while Duke ticked off all the details for the romantic date he’d planned tonight. He placed his regular order, but paused when the barista simply stared at him. He looked down at his suit to check for a stain or something. “Is something wrong, Rita?”

      The petite woman quickly snapped out of her trance. “Uh, no. I’m sorry, X.” She hurried to get his drink.

      Frowning, he scanned the area and noticed that Rita wasn’t the only one staring at him. Conspicuous glances from several people in the lobby got his attention. Stares and whispers weren’t new to him. As a former child star with a hit show still running in syndication, being noticed wherever he went was commonplace. But not in the Pure Talent offices. And not the way the various staff members were watching him.

      “X, what’s up?” Duke asked, interrupting his thoughts.

      “Nothing.” He smiled when Rita slid a cup of coffee toward him. Meeting her gaze, he noticed her chin tremble, almost like she was going to break out in an ugly cry. “Are you okay?”

      She dropped her gaze. “I’m okay, X. Are you?”

      Tilting his head, he nodded. “I’m fine.” He pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and set it on the counter.

      Before he could slide it to her, she placed her hand on top of his. “It’s good. Coffee’s on me today.”

      “Okay,” he murmured. “Thanks, Rita.”

      “Who the hell is Rita?” Duke asked.

      Xavier blinked. Because for a second, he’d forgotten he was on the phone. “No one to you, bruh. Listen, what did you decide for dessert?”

      Duke described a strawberry-and-chocolate torte that he was sure Naomi would love. Smiling, Xavier said, “Sounds like you have everything under control.”

      “I told you... I got this. This is what I do.”

      “X!”

      Xavier turned toward the entrance of the building. Skye waved at him and rushed over to where he’d been standing near the small coffee kiosk. He held up a hand, signaling her to wait a second. Speaking to Duke, he told him to call if he had any issues and ended the call.

      “What’s up, Skye?”

      Breathing heavily, like she’d been running, Skye ran a hand through her hair. “I’ve been trying to call you.”

      Xavier opened an e-mail and skimmed a message from one of his client’s parents. “I was in the middle of something.” He quickly typed out a response to the e-mail and hit the SEND button. “What’s going on?” He read another e-mail and pondered the best way to answer the question posed to him.

      Skye snatched his phone. “Listen to me.”

      Frowning, he wondered if he’d missed something. Has she been talking? “There’s a lot going on. I’m actually on my way out to take care of something for the proposal tonight.”

      “X, I...”

      He pulled the ring out of his pocket. “I forgot to show you the ring.” He opened the box and smiled, anticipating her reaction.

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