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yourself?”
    “More than I want to think about at the moment, but that’s my own fault since I’m my own boss. I can do a majority of my work remotely, and I’m paid by the hour, so as long as I don’t bill for the time I’m running around with you, I’ll be okay.”
    “We’re not running around together,” she insisted.
    “That’s what it will look like. Me and my hot new girl escaping to the Hamptons for ‘work.’”
    She tried to stop the grin that formed. “Great. I’m going to go from a home wrecker to a trollop who puts her lovers over her job.”
    “You are the one who brought up my reputation. What exactly have you heard about me before this morning?”
    Grace let out a laugh. “I’m sure you know. Can turn any business around, but is, um, lacking in people skills even though he can read almost anyone.”
    “So tell me, Ms. Bell, how do you think someone with a reputation for being a dick gets as much work as I do?”
    She scoffed. “Tell me your secrets.”
    “I have the reputation for being a brilliant dick. As long as you do your job better than everyone around you, you can get away with murder. So no one will care you’re screwing your boyfriend senseless this weekend as long as your event goes off without a hitch.”
    Grace felt the blush climb up her cheeks. “It’s all an act, though. There won’t be any screwing happening.”
    Instead of laughing at the thought, Simon only considered her with those dark eyes of his that made her wonder how much of this crazy scheme was an act.
    “Why not?” His voice was low even though there was no one around within hearing distance.
    Her mouth went dry. “We’re working together,” she sputtered as she inched away.
    His hand covered hers. “Don’t forget the cameras,” he whispered. “And please don’t get freaked out. It was a simple question. I find you attractive, and, correct me if I’m wrong, I think you don’t mind looking at me. If we’re going to be working in close proximity, why not have fun?”
    She obligingly slid in closer, but pulled her hand from his. She didn’t think she could speak clearly with his hands on her and didn’t even want to delve into her psyche to figure out what that meant. “I only met you today, and, to be honest, you’ve pissed me off more times in that one day than people I’ve known for years have done in the past decade. So you’re not on the top of my list.”
    He smiled at her, not seemingly affected by the rejection. “I appreciate the honesty.”
    The waiter and some assistants arrived with the food, and Grace beamed up at the waiter for giving her an excuse to change the topic.
    Once the salads were set in front of them, Simon eagerly started to dig in. “On to more important topics. Tell me everything you think I need to know about Bell Planning.”

 
     
     
CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    Simon pulled his Cadillac to a halt at a spot about a block away from Grace’s Brooklyn apartment. The street appeared well kept and he didn’t notice a ton of bars on the lower windows. Most of the apartments had pretty flower pots lining the windowsills to add color and a pleasant feel to the street.
    He thought back to the financials she’d sent over. Grace sunk a lot of the profits back into the company, but she still ended up with a decent wage. It had been slowly climbing the past few years as she’d made a bigger name for herself and her reputation grew. She’d lucked out by scoring an apprenticeship with Renard Chapin. After she’d learned all his secrets and tricks, he’d retired to go live in France with his family and recommended that all his clients use her as their consultant.
    Simon sent her a text message to tell her where he was parked and stared in the direction of her apartment. She didn’t seem like the type to be late, but this was a woman getting ready for a huge work function and a weekend away. If stereotypes proved accurate, he might be waiting awhile.
    The corner of his