Free The Best Is Yet to Come: Novella Bonus for Her Best Match (The Best Girls Book 0) by Tamie Dearen Page A

mundane. But this event had attracted the mainstream media due to the presence of other important officials, including the mayor of New York City, and Alicia Esparza, a rising young prosecutor who was currently running for District Attorney.
    Gherring felt a touch on his arm and turned to see Alicia sliding in beside him, her hand nestling in the crook of his elbow.
    “Good morning, Steven.” She flashed a smile toward the multitude of cameras.
    “Morning.” Gherring gazed out toward the crowd even as he spoke from the corner of his mouth to the woman at his side. She was tall, standing only a few inches shorter than him in her four-inch heels. Her glistening long, almost black hair, framed huge exotic tawny eyes. Her sleek movements were almost feline in nature. She was also smart, driven, cold and calculating. With her fearless confidence, she would no doubt flourish in politics. At the age of thirty-two she was already a rising star in the New York City political machine.
    “How are the polls?” he asked. “Have you taken the lead over Hastings yet?”
    “Not yet.” Her eyes never left the cameras. “But I have a plan.”
    Now she turned an adoring expression his way. “Are you going to the benefit for Mercy General Hospital tonight?”
    “You know I am. It’s my fundraiser. But I’m escorting someone else tonight. My publicist always arranges those things for me.” He glanced at her and laughed. “Is that look for me or for the cameras? Are you trying to start a rumor we’re having some sort of affair?”
    “Maybe I’d like it to be more than a rumor.” She put on a pretty pout. “And I talked to your publicist, but it seems you have some sort of silly rule against escorting the same woman to more than one event.”
    “Yes. I’ve found that works best. A second appearance with a single woman leads to speculation and false expectations.”
    “I totally understand, but I have a proposition for you.” Her smile was dazzling.
    “I don’t think I’m interested.” He kept his voice bland, refusing to rise to her bait.
    “And I think you’re lying. I think you’re intrigued. You’re at least interested in hearing what I have to say, even if you decide to turn me down.”
    He considered this idea for a moment. “Perhaps I’m curious enough to listen to what you have to say. But know this... I will turn you down.” He pinned her with his most chilling stare, but she didn’t flinch. Her inscrutable expression fascinated him.
    “We are so much alike, you and I.” She glanced at the cameras again and then turned her head to kiss him on the cheek. He barely managed not to draw back.
    “I’ll talk to you tonight.” She chuckled as she slipped away to talk to the mayor.
     
    Gherring hated these black-tie events, but at least tonight’s fundraiser was for a cause he cherished—a new children’s wing at the hospital. Although he detested the necessity for attending, he was completely in his element, making speeches, shaking hands, hobnobbing with the socially elite and powerful. Even as he mixed and mingled with the rich and influential, he knew he couldn’t relate to anyone present. He was likely the wealthiest person at the event, yet he didn’t really care about the power and prestige that came with that affluence. He never socialized with any of these people outside of public events. He had no interest in climbing social ladders or attaining political influence.
    On the other hand, he did enjoy the luxuries his money afforded and the adrenaline rush associated with competition. But his business had grown to the point where he seldom had any true challenges at work. He found himself relishing the rare moments when he encountered someone who didn’t bow easily to his intentions. He seldom met anyone who would stand up to him, thus he was curious to hear Alicia Esparza’s proposition.
    He glanced at the girl on his arm. She was tall and pencil-thin with straight blond hair. A model whose