CEO Met Her on a Double Date, Never Expected His Friend’s Match Would Become His Forever
An Unexpected Encounter
The sudden influx of rain caught Tessa Harper off guard as she dashed into the upscale restaurant, clutching her purse over her head in a futile attempt to protect her carefully styled hair.
She was already running fifteen minutes late for this double date her roommate had practically begged her to join. Now she looked like a drowned cat.
“Perfect,” she told the hostess, trying to discreetly wring water from the ends of her chestnut hair.
“I’m with the Collins reservation.”
The hostess smiled sympathetically.
“Of course, your party is already seated. Right this way.”
Tessa followed, trying to ignore the squishing sound her heels made against the polished floor. She spotted her roommate, Mia, waving enthusiastically from a corner booth.
Across from her sat two men in business suits. One she recognized as Mia’s new boyfriend, Ryan, and beside him sat a stranger with sharp features. An even sharper gaze locked onto her the moment she approached.
“Tessa, finally!” Mia exclaimed, sliding over to make room.
“We were about to send a search party. This is Ryan, and this is his best friend Kyle.”
“Kyle Evans,” the stranger said, standing to shake her hand.
His grip was firm and confident.
“CEO of Meridian Publishing.”
Tessa tried not to roll her eyes at how quickly he’d mentioned his title. Another ego-driven executive; just her luck.
“Tessa Harper,” she replied, soaking wet.
“Elementary school art teacher. Sorry about my appearance; the weather had other plans for my outfit tonight.”
“I think you look perfect,” said Ryan, earning an adoring look from Mia.
Kyle, however, merely offered a polite smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes before returning his attention to his phone.
Tessa felt a flicker of annoyance. She’d been dragged to this double date to keep Ryan’s friend company, and he couldn’t even bother to be present.
The evening progressed with Ryan and Mia lost in their own world. Tessa attempted small talk with Kyle, who answered in clipped sentences between checking emails.
His dark hair was perfectly styled and his jawline could cut glass. His suit probably cost more than her monthly salary, but his social skills were severely lacking.
“So, publishing,” Tessa tried again.
“That must be interesting.”
Kyle finally set his phone down.
“It can be, though I doubt the inner workings of quarterly reports and acquisition negotiations would interest someone who spends their days with fingerpaints and safety scissors.”
Tessa’s eyebrows shot up.
“Excuse me?”
“I simply meant our worlds are quite different.”
“You don’t say,” she muttered, taking a large sip of her wine.
Ryan chuckled nervously.
“Kyle’s company just acquired a major children’s book publisher. Actually, maybe you two have more in common than you think.”
Kyle cleared his throat.
“True. Brightwater Books is now under our umbrella. We’re expanding our educational division.”
“Brightwater?”
Tessa sat up straighter.
“I love their books! My students adore the Percy Penguin series.”
Something shifted in Kyle’s expression.
“You’re familiar with them?”
“Of course! I use them in my classroom all the time. The illustrations are incredible, and the stories actually teach meaningful lessons without being preachy.”
She leaned forward, suddenly animated.
“The newest one about ocean conservation had my kids picking up trash at recess for weeks.”
For the first time that evening, Kyle looked genuinely interested.
“I haven’t read that one yet. We just finalized the deal last month.”
“Well, Mr. CEO, you should probably read what you’re selling,” Tessa said with a challenging smile.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
“Perhaps I should.”
By dessert, Tessa had almost forgotten how insufferable Kyle had been at the start of the evening. Their conversation had evolved from children’s books to education policy to their shared love of historical fiction.
He was still frustratingly handsome, but at least now she knew there was an actual human beneath the corporate facade. As the evening came to an end, Ryan suggested they all go for drinks at a nearby bar.
Tessa declined.
“I have twenty-eight art projects to grade by Monday. But it was nice meeting you both.”
Kyle stood when she did.
“I should get going too. Early meeting tomorrow. I’ll walk you out, Tessa.”
Outside, the rain had stopped, leaving the city streets glistening under the streetlights. Kyle hailed a cab for her with an effortless wave.
“Thank you for an unexpectedly pleasant evening,” he said, opening the door.
“You proved me wrong about elementary school teachers.”
“And you almost made me forget you were a pretentious CEO,” she replied with a grin.
“Almost,” he laughed, a genuine sound that transformed his face.
“Perhaps we could continue this conversation another time? Maybe over coffee?”
Tessa hesitated. This wasn’t part of the plan. Kyle was Ryan’s friend, meant to be her one-time double date companion so Mia wouldn’t feel guilty about wanting to spend time with her new boyfriend.
Plus, men like Kyle—powerful, wealthy, undeniably attractive—weren’t typically interested in women like her for anything serious.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said finally.
Kyle’s expression remained neutral, but something flickered in his eyes.
“Fair enough. Good night, Tessa Harper.”
