Chapter 37

Alexander looked up and asked, "What, not into today's menu?" Samantha raised her chin slightly. "No, but a heads-up would've been nice. I could've pretended to be out of office." Lucas, standing nearby, almost choked trying not to laugh. Come on, the boss spent an hour and a half getting here just to have lunch with you, and you're pulling this? Alexander's lip curled in mild disdain. That "joke" didn't land. More dishes rolled out one after another. Samantha, distracted by marketing-related stuff, absentmindedly scrolled through her phone while mechanically eating. "Caitlin, no phones at the table," Alexander said flatly. "I'm working, can't you see?" she replied without looking up. Alexander frowned slightly. He reached over, speared a slice of steak Samantha had cut but not eaten, and held it up to her mouth. His voice was low, with a teasing edge, "Come on, bite." Samantha, half-focused, took a bite without thinking. She kept skimming through her phone. It wasn't until she swallow