So Irresistible Read Online Free PDF Page A

People to meet?”
    “All I’ve done since I got here is meet people,” Shane grumbled. “ Nice people. People who like me.”
    “People generally like you. You’re likable.”
    “When I’m working,” he agreed. “Sure. But this—”
    “‘This’ is just pent-up ‘fixing’ waiting to get out,” Lizzy diagnosed. “You’re wound up, that’s all. You need action.”
    “Maybe.” It didn’t feel that way. It felt like . . . discontent, not a need to get busy manipulating things. Puzzling over that, Shane tapped out a cigarette from the pack at his elbow. Holding his smoke between his lips, he searched for his lighter.
    Lizzy’s muttered swearword cut off his quest. So did the way she snatched the cigarette from his mouth. She frowned at it, then stared at him through disbelieving China doll eyes.
    “Have you been sniffing glue? You quit months ago.”
    “And you gave up swearing. I guess we both lose.”
    “Yeah.” She crossed her arms, unaffected by his dour assessment. “Looks like you bring out the worst in me, boss.”
    “You think so, Columbo? I’m surprised it took you this long to notice. I’ve been expecting you to quit since day one.”
    That silenced Lizzy. For all of thirty seconds. Then . . .
    “Wow. You are stressed out. You haven’t accused me of an imminent bailout for at least a year.” Marveling at him, she shook her head. “Besides, you only smoke when you’re nervous.”
    Shane ignored her. Again, he reached for his pack.
    Lizzy grabbed it first. Holding it, she gave him a look that hinted at tenderness. “Look, I know impressing your dad means a lot to you. I know this job is important. But—”
    “All jobs are important.”
    Lizzy seemed taken aback by his interruption. Then, “Oh. I get it. You’re going to pretend this one isn’t special?”
    “It isn’t special,” Shane lied, trying not to think about that phone call from his dad. “I’m not even sure it’s doable.”
    Most of all, he wasn’t sure it was advisable to try.
    Shane had never impressed his dad before. If he didn’t admit he wanted to now, no one would be disappointed later.
    “ Everything is doable for you,” Lizzy disagreed. “I didn’t hitch my wagon to just any old star, you know. When I needed to make a getaway and start over, I picked you to be my Kemosabe.”
    At that moment, Shane wished she hadn’t. He didn’t need additional pressure—and that’s all he glimpsed in Lizzy’s trusting, dedicated gaze. Tomorrow, he planned to infiltrate the Grimanis’ pizzerias and finish the takeover the previous fixer had started. But given the bizarre way Shane had been feeling lately, he’d be almost as likely to fist-bump the pizzeria’s manager, become besties with all its employees, and lay down his own considerable fortune to buy David a better slingshot.
    He was not that freaking idealistic. He never had been.
    Especially when it came to doing something that would subvert his own father’s company. That wasn’t how Shane operated. On the other hand, he’d never been prone to chatting with strangers in the park about their stupid mutts, either. Shane had done that today while out exploring the city. Twice .
    He wiggled his fingers at Lizzy, then leveled her with a serious look. “Give me back my cigarettes, Tonto.”
    Lizzy flipped him off instead, then tucked his pack in the back pocket of her jeans. She returned to shelving books with her customary diligence, letting those smokes taunt him from derrière height. Short of giving her a pat-down, Shane didn’t have the recourse of lighting up a spare. He felt . . . twitchy.
    “I didn’t hire you to be my babysitter,” he complained.
    “Someone’s got to do it,” Lizzy said breezily, not bothering to stop sorting books. “Might as well be me.”
    Shane considered her position. He had deft fingers. He knew he could sneak out that cigarette pack from her pocket without her noticing. As a teenager, he’d gotten good at