章 31: I'll Rope You In Today If I Could

"Well," I shrugged with a grin, "you never asked."

It'll be the height of stupidity to want to downplay my connections to the Voss family to Quinn.

First, the Voss name does carry some weight.

Second, she'll find out one day and that day might be tomorrow or next year. I don't want to set myself up for failure by lying to her.

Besides, my sister Jenny would show up one day and try to get between Quinn and I. There'll be no denying it then.

"A man of mysteries." Quinn said with a smile.

"That's me." I said with a sheepish smile.

"So, how exactly do you know Michael Lincoln?" She asked, leaning an elbow on the table and fitting her chin on her palm.

I smiled, taking a sip of my coffee before answering. She smiled back at me, her eyes telling me she knew exactly what I was doing.

"Michael is my attorney. He always helps me with a lot of things. You know, contracts, investments, that sort of thing."

"Hmmn." Quinn nodded into her palm, her eyes lighting up with interest. "So, what's he helping you with now?"

"Let's see." I paused theatrically, trying to figure out how to play this.

If there's anything I'd learnt about Quinn, it was that she was smart. She'd know if I'm trying to pull her into something and that's why I had to play my cards carefully.

I'd act the part of a businessman who took pride in what it did. It didn't even have to be an act. After all, I really did take pride in what I do.

I'd create plans that brought me into Pine Press and netted me seventy million dollars. Not everyone could do that.

I smiled at Quinn as I spoke. "Right now, Michael's helping me with a real estate venture I'm working on."

"It's still in the early stages, but I'm planning to build a series of luxury boutique hotels. The project's pretty ambitious, but with the right backing, it's going to be huge."

Quinn nodded at my words, impressed. "Luxury boutique hotels? That's actually a big deal. Where are you planning to build?"

It's a good thing I'd already started planning or else I wouldn't have anything to say.

My notes from the project were in front of me but I won't be showing her. It might be considered a break of the unwritten rule.

Don't talk shop unless in private.

"We're starting with Crownsborough and New York, actually." I said, leaning forward. I smiled, displaying enthusiasm. "Depending on how things go, we'll be expanding next to Europe and Asia."

"Wow." Quinn nodded, my enthusiasm infecting her. "That's ambitious. But if anyone can pull it off, it's someone with Lincoln in their corner."

I laughed self-deprecatingly at her praise. "Thanks, Quinn."

"You know I'm right." She said, smiling at me. "From your work ethic, I can say you're up to the task."

"Yeah." I nodded, keeping the smile on my face. It's a lot of work, but I'm excited about it."

Then, I met her eyes. "Who knows? Maybe I'll need some input from someone who knows the hospitality industry inside and out."

Quinn laughed, shaking her head. "Are you trying to rope me into this already?"

If only she knew how much I wanted to rope her into this. I'd even rope her in now if I could.

Instead of saying all that, I grinned. "Just planting the seed."

She rolled her eyes playfully but didn't dismiss the idea entirely. "We'll see about that, Nico."

Perfect. I'd found a way to clearly declare my intent while still making it sound playful.

Whatever happens, I know I've planted the idea in her head.

After that, the conversation drifted. We eventually returned to lighter topics, talking about tennis, the club and the people who frequented the place.

However, the groundwork had been laid.

A Boss in charge of a venture in which Michael Lincoln was somehow involved in? It was bound to succeed.

My one and only prayer is that Jenny shouldn't come and spoil things.

Unfortunately, we don't always get what we want.

[][][][][]

I walked into Cafe De La Paix, heading to our usual table.

Matt was already there waiting for me.

"Hey dude." I greeted him as I slid into the seat opposite him.

He yawned back in greeting before sipping a cup of… coffee?!

"Dude. You didn't get much sleep?" I could see the bags under his eyes.

"Unlike you, some of us have to stay up and burn the midnight oil to finish college." He chuckled. "If only to save my life."

I chuckled with him. He wasn't wrong. His mum would kill him if he didn't finish.

Now, this made me feel guilty for asking him to help me with this place. While I'd been working Quinn at Pine Press, he'd been here helping me out.

"You should've declined staying here if it would eat into your studying time. I don't want your mum to kill me along with you when you flunk out."

"Nah." He grinned. "My mom practically adores you. You're the second son she never had."

I grinned. He wasn't wrong either.

"Besides, I get to take Riley here on a date. Totally worth it."

We both laughed.

He yawned again before continuing. "So, I can confirm that you'll have a chance of meeting Quinn if you come here regularly."

"Really?" I asked, eyes widening slightly.

"Yeah." Matt nodded. "This is premium information and it wasn't easy to get from Riley. I think she's even suspecting me of being interested in Quinn's friend, Charlotte. You owe me one, bro."

"Definitely." I nodded.

"Charlotte comes in around noon every weekday and sometimes, she brings Quinn with her. That, my friend, is your window."

Riley and Mila were regular customers of this cafe and that meant they also knew the schedule of other regular customers.

Why waste time scrambling for info when I can get it from a more direct source?

I nodded. "Thanks, man."

It was a good thing I chose this cafe in the first place. This would be my chance to build a rapport with her outside Pine Press and shift my image from club buddies to something more.

And trust me. When that opportunity comes, I won't let it go.

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