"What's going on with you today, Alex?" After work, Alex, Grace, and Emma Winter sat in an upscale bistro—their first dinner as a trio. Grace hadn't forgotten his strange behavior that morning and seized the opportunity to investigate.
"Dinner should be enjoyable—let's not discuss it," Alex replied between bites, though thoughts of the heiress at home were killing his appetite. He'd come straight to dinner with Grace and Emma without calling her. Who knew what she was up to now—probably still attempting her "gourmet" fried eggs.
"Really won't tell me?" Grace pressed.
"No, because then I definitely won't be able to eat," Alex said firmly. If Grace found out about Emma Carter staying at his place, who knew what chaos would ensue.
"Then you're paying for dinner," Grace declared irritably.
"Extortion?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly!" Grace glared at him.
"Fine, extortion successful—I'll pay!" Alex rolled his eyes.
"You—!"
"Hehe!" Alex flashed her a wicked grin, finally managing to silence her.
"Emma, your apartment faces his, right? Sister's giving you a mission—closely monitor his activities and apartment. Report any suspicious findings to me immediately!" Unable to extract information from Alex directly, Grace turned to Emma for help.
"Don't worry, I'm on it. I'm also curious what this pervert is hiding from us," Emma shot Alex a pointed look.
*Damn!* Alex had completely forgotten about Emma Winter's strategic location. She could see right into his apartment. Her discovering Emma Carter was one thing, but if she told Grace, and Grace discovered the heiress's true identity... that would be a disaster.
"Look," Alex tried for a reasonable tone, "I'm treating you both to dinner. Shouldn't we maintain a peaceful atmosphere? Grace, I never pry into your affairs. Maybe you could extend me the same courtesy?"
"No way! What I don't know, I don't know. But once I know you're hiding something, I have to find out!" Grace declared, chest puffed out indignantly.
"Why? I have rights!" Alex protested.
"Denied!" Grace fixed him with a steely glare, which he returned with equal intensity.
Stare...
Glare...
Stare...
Glare...
Stare...
"Ugh, I can't maintain this expression anymore!" Alex rubbed his aching eyes. He'd reached an important conclusion: trying to look cool was exhausting.
Emma watched their staring contest with bemusement, wondering if there were really men like this.
"Know your place now?" Grace asked triumphantly.
"Ah yes, the infamous Campus Queen who ruled every university in Manhattan. Truly extraordinary. A mere mortal like myself stands no chance against such a cultured troublemaker!" Alex drawled sarcastically.
"You're the real troublemaker!" Grace stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth forcefully.
Alex quickly opened wide—he'd learned from experience that resistance only led to food up his nose. Grace had done it before.
"Any plans after dinner?" he asked the two women. He definitely didn't want to head home early.
"Nothing special. Movie?" Grace suggested.
"Nothing good showing right now," Emma noted.
"How about the amusement park?" Grace offered.
"Probably closed," Alex gestured at the darkening sky.
"Then what should we do? Emma, your thoughts?" Grace turned to her.
"Shopping? I love shopping!" Emma tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Perfect idea! Why didn't I think of that? Let's go shopping after dinner!" Grace exclaimed excitedly. Like most women, she loved shopping.
"Shopping at this hour?" Alex groaned. He had a severe allergy to shopping—or more specifically, to accompanying women shopping.
"You dummy, shopping has no time limit. Besides, it's so hot during the day. Evening is perfect for shopping! Don't you agree, Emma?" Grace looked to Emma for support.
"Mm-hmm, absolutely!" Emma nodded. In fact, since arriving in Manhattan, she hadn't done much besides apartment hunting. With two guides, it was the perfect opportunity to explore and pick up some necessities.
"You two go ahead. I'm going home to sleep," Alex announced. He'd realized teaming up with these two women was disadvantageous—they always united against him. *Ah, how the mighty have fallen,* he thought ruefully. *The legendary ladies' man reduced to this.* But such was the price of his chosen ordinary life. Though without familiar faces around... he could still be that cool, charming professional who effortlessly attracted beautiful women.
"No way, you have to come with us!" Grace insisted.
"Why?" Alex asked, though he'd anticipated this response.
"Two beautiful women shopping alone—what if someone harasses us? There are so many creeps out there!" Grace affected a damsel-in-distress pose.
"The Campus Queen afraid of creeps? Please!" Alex scoffed.
"Star, would you really stand by and watch two beautiful women get harassed? That's not like you. Isn't playing hero what you live for? Here are two beauties giving you the chance!" Grace suddenly turned coy, batting her eyelashes at him.
Her expression sent shivers down Alex's spine. Before he could even scratch, goosebumps had already broken out. He had a bad feeling about this. If he went shopping with them, he'd probably suffer more than if he went home. Was she planning to extort him over the previous dinner tab? He had to stay alert and not give her any openings.
"How could I bear to watch you get harassed?" Alex replied smoothly.
"So you'll come?" Grace perked up.
"I'll close my eyes!" Alex managed to squeeze out, watching her expression darken ominously.
"Care to repeat that?" Grace growled through clenched teeth.
"Don't look at me with that... unflattering expression!" Alex retorted.
"Pfft!" Emma, who had been quietly enjoying her food while watching their bickering, sprayed her mouthful across the table. Thankfully, Alex wasn't sitting opposite her.
"Please don't say such disgusting things while I'm eating!" Emma wiped her mouth, acutely aware of the stares from nearby diners.
*Damn you, Alex Stone. Making me embarrass myself in public again. This score isn't settled!*
"Emma, you'll get used to it. He's just like this—pervert, scoundrel, jerk!" Grace awarded Alex three titles without hesitation.
"Alex, I wasn't going to get involved, but you leave me no choice," Emma composed herself. "You're coming shopping whether you like it or not, or tomorrow everyone in the complex will know your name!"
Pure blackmail. Looking at these two women who'd transformed into demons, Alex knew he couldn't escape. If he agreed, he might not survive the night.
"Fine, let's go shopping. Not like I haven't done it before! But I'm not carrying bags!" Alex conceded. Yielding to beautiful women wasn't shameful—it was gallant. Even rogues needed gallantry!
"We'll see about that!" Emma said through gritted teeth. "I might buy a piano for you to carry home!"
"If you don't mind it getting dropped, I don't mind my hands!" Alex stood up, ready to leave.
"Where are you going? Trying to escape?" Grace grabbed his arm.
"If you want to pay the bill, I won't object!" Alex pointed out.
"Go pay already!" Grace released him with a huff, straightening her clothes. Dinner was officially over.