Smart Girl Read Online Free

best be described as “kid friendly,” I still do what I can.
    “Are you almost finished with work?”
    He looks totally beat, like he hasn’t slept in days. I’m almost positive that’s the case.
    “I’m really close. Just fine-tuning and checking for bugs. How was your dinner?”
    I can’t stop my happy little inhale.
    “It was great. Liam asked me to design a new restaurant for him.”
    Tosh looks up from the half sandwich left in his hand. Seriously, how do guys eat so fast? It would take me most of an afternoon to work through that much tryptophan.
    “You sure that’s a good idea, Koko?”
    I cock my head to one side to peer at him dubiously.
    “Aren’t you the übersuccessful businessman who’s always telling me to take advantage of my design cred?”
    The look he gives me is the same one he’s been turning on me all my life. I’d bet that the day our parents brought me home from the hospital he had this who you trying to kid? stare down pat.
    “And aren’t you the one who’s told me at least a hundred times that Liam Ashton is the love of your life and the future father of your unborn children?”
    “So?”
    He looks concerned.
    “So, do you really want to start off this love affair of yours as his employee?”
    I start to clear up the sandwich ingredients.
    “Beggars can’t be choosers.”
    A scowl crashes into his features.
    “I hate any scenario where you describe yourself as the beggar.”
    He winces when I pop my knuckles. I hurry across the room and grab a bottle of water out of the fridge to cover up my tell.
    Having devoured both sandwiches in no time flat, he comes around the island to put the plate in the dishwasher. When he’s finished he throws an arm around my shoulders and drags me in for a quick kiss on my head.
    “You know I support you in all things, yes?”
    I nod because I do know this. Tosh is my first and longest-running best friend, and he very rarely goes “big brother” on me. He’s the most accepting and supportive person in the world. There’s nothing we don’t talk about, no part of my life he doesn’t know. The fact that we’re so close is why I agreed to be his roommate. I knew he was worried about my ability to support myself while starting a company and wanted to keep an eye on me; he knew I wanted free cable. It works out for both of us.
    “I will always be supportive of whatever you want to do, but it bothers me that you’ve been interested in him for so long and haven’t even gone on a date. What’s wrong with this guy that he’s not equally obsessed with you? If you like a woman, you ask her out—it’s that simple.”
    I pull out from under his arm with a scowl. “Yeah, so where’s your girlfriend then?”
    “I don’t have a girlfriend; I have a company. I can only handle one kind of drama at a time.” He turns and grabs a water of his own. “But we’re not talking about me. I’d like to go on record as saying that I’m concerned.”
    I try to sound flippant. “Duly noted.”
    His lips purse as he considers me a moment longer. Finally, thankfully, his curiosity overrides his concern.
    “So tell me about this project.”

    I agreed to meet Liam at the location of his new restaurant, a meeting that we set up via text. He was very professional and concise, not flirtatious in the least. But all I could think was ShOMG! Liam and I text each other now!
    I am somehow able to find street parking right out front, which is a small miracle on a chilly afternoon in West Hollywood. I hop out of the car and make my way towards the front of the building. The busy street is packed with the kind of people who can afford to shop at the PDC down the block and spend whole afternoons lunching at the upscale eateries that fill the neighborhood. Even though I’m ten minutes early, Liam is already waiting for me in front of a nondescript single-story brick building.
    It’s a weekday, and I’m guessing what he’s wearing is just his everyday look, but I