The garage suddenly seemed to amplify every tiny sound.
A cooling engine ticked behind him.
Air compressor hummed.
Somewhere in the back, Lily dropped a wrench.
Claire looked toward Jake.
He lowered the rag in his hand.
“CEO.”
She gave him a small, almost guilty smile.
“Yes.”
“Weston Global.”
“Yes.”
“The Weston Global.”
“That depends how many you know.”
Jake stared.
The assistant shifted uncomfortably.
Claire looked toward him.
“Give us a minute.”
“Ms. Weston—”
“A minute.”
The assistants retreated.
Jake crossed his arms.
Claire already knew that expression.
“You're angry.”
“Observant.”
“Jake.”
“You told me you were in business.”
“I am.”
“That is like saying the Grand Canyon is a hole.”
Claire almost smiled.
Jake did not.
“You came in here.”
“Yes.”
“Sat on milk crates.”
“Yes.”
“Drank three-dollar coffee.”
“It wasn't very good.”
“Not the point.”
“I know.”
“You never thought that little detail might matter?”
Claire looked at him.
“If I'd told you on Thursday that I ran Weston Global, would you have treated me the same way?”
Jake opened his mouth.
Stopped.
Claire waited.
He looked toward the floor.
“Probably not.”
“That’s why.”
His jaw tightened.
“That doesn't make lying okay.”
“I didn't lie.”
“You hid it.”
“Yes.”
“At least you admit it.”
Claire stepped closer.
“Jake, every room I enter changes the moment people know.”
“I walk into restaurants and managers appear.”
“I mention my name and people check their posture.”
“Men who hated my idea thirty seconds earlier suddenly decide it's brilliant.”
“I wanted one conversation where none of that arrived first.”
Jake looked at her.
“You used me for an experiment?”
Her face fell.
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I liked you.”
The bluntness stopped him.
Claire continued:
“More than I planned to.”
Jake looked away.
She moved closer.
“I came back Friday because I wanted coffee with you.”
“Saturday because I wanted to see you.”
“I asked you tomorrow because I want you beside me.”
“Not because I need to test anything.”
Jake’s anger softened.
Not gone.
Different.
The assistant appeared at the doorway again.
“Ms. Weston.”
Claire turned.
“Two minutes.”
He disappeared.
She looked back at Jake.
“Come tomorrow.”
“Then decide whether you hate me.”
Jake almost smiled.
“You assume I'm coming.”
Claire lifted one eyebrow.
“You already said yes.”
Then she walked out.
Jake stood motionless long after the SUV left.
Lily appeared from the back.
“So.”
Jake turned.
“How much did you hear?”
“All of it.”
“Great.”
“She’s a billionaire?”
“Apparently.”
Lily smiled.
“That's cool.”
Jake stared.
“That’s your analysis?”
“She likes you.”
“You're fourteen.”