Skylar leaned against the car seat and dozed off soon after.
Joe glanced at her sleeping face. She looked utterly exhausted. The image of her at work, sent earlier by John, flashed through his mind—her expression calm and focused, completely immersed in her task.
She looked incredible.
That photo had caught a version of her he hadn’t seen before—driven, independent, sharp. It made Joe realize that he still had so much more to learn about her.
What stood out most, though, was how she never tried to impress him. Around him, Skylar was always herself—genuine, relaxed, and sincere.
Unconsciously, Joe’s gaze softened as it lingered on her.
Up front, Lucas glanced in the rearview mirror and nearly did a double take. Joe’s expression wasn’t one he saw often. As Joe’s longtime assistant and driver, Lucas had never seen him look at a woman like this before.
Joe had even volunteered to pick Skylar up today. That alone said a lot.
The car was quiet until Skylar’s phone suddenly rang, jolting the peaceful silence. She stirred, still groggy, and slowly opened her eyes. A moment of confusion flickered across her face when she realized her head was resting on Joe’s shoulder.
But before she could say anything, she had already answered the call.
“Skye, change of plans. I’m going on a business trip tomorrow and the day after. Can I meet you tonight instead?” Steven’s voice came through the line.
Skylar glanced at Joe, unsure of his availability. The meeting they’d originally planned had just been pushed up.
Joe, having heard the conversation—thanks to the stillness in the car—gave a small nod of approval.
Skylar was a bit taken aback by how easily he agreed. “Sure, Steven. I’ll send you the restaurant address later.”
“Okay,” Steven replied with relief. He had been worried for days.
Originally, he thought he’d have a couple more days before leaving town, but the sudden business trip had changed everything. It might last just a few days—or stretch into a week.
Ever since the whole ordeal with Christopher, Steven had been cautious. He didn’t want Skylar getting hurt again. Good men were few and far between.
After the call, Skylar became fully awake. During the conversation, her eyes had carried a dreamy haze. Now, that had faded, replaced by alertness and a bit of curiosity.
Beside her, Joe’s lips curved into a faint smile. He found her half-asleep expression oddly adorable.
“I need to book a restaurant. Any preferences?” she asked, her voice still carrying a soft, sleepy lilt.
It made Joe’s smile deepen.
“Pick any place Steven likes,” he said easily.
Skylar chuckled. “Really?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
She gave him a playful look. “Don’t regret it later,” she warned teasingly.
In her mind, she pictured Joe—dressed in a sharp, tailored suit—awkwardly navigating a rustic, smoky barbecue restaurant. The mental image was too funny.
Joe raised an eyebrow, catching her mischievous grin. “A barbecue place?” he asked knowingly.
Skylar’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
Joe’s lips curved into a mysterious smile. “Take a guess.”
Skylar gave him a half-laugh. “So that’s how it is? Keeping secrets now?”
She wasn’t expecting him to be playful like this.
She had heard somewhere that no matter how old men were, there was always a little boy inside them. Now, she was beginning to believe it.
Still, she wasn’t going to indulge him.
“Nope. I’m not guessing,” she said, feigning defiance. “You can keep your little secret.”
Joe didn’t say a word, but the amused glint in his eyes said everything.
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