“His son had a hockey game or something,” Miller says. “I think it was an excuse not to hang around with Murielle.” We all laugh. He’s kept it a huge secret that he’s been trying to get divorced for the past four years, and she refuses to grant him one. She actually took their son and ran away when he served her with papers the first time.
“Anyone care for some champagne?” the server asks us, and I smile, grabbing a glass.
“To Candace,” I say. Holding up my glass, I add, “And to the two guys who do what they're told.”
“Cheers,” everyone says, and I take a sip of the champagne.
“Let’s grab our seats,” Layla says to us, and we walk to sit down at the table.
When I sit next to one of the rookies, who smiles at me, I groan inwardly and think here we go.
Chapter 4
Nico
I park my BMW SUV in an empty parking spot, then get out and walk to the restaurant. I’ve been on the go since five this morning. I spent three hours working out all the frustration I had from yesterday.
The meeting lasted five hours yesterday. We picked it up again today for another four hours, but I think we finally found a way to get the expiring contracts signed without going over my cap. I pull open the door to the restaurant and look around. The restaurant is closed just for us, which is something we always have to do to enjoy our time.
I stop as soon as I walk in, shaking one of the guy's hands. I look around then to see if I can spot Ralph, who is right beside Candace. “Happy Birthday,” I say, handing her the gift Lizzie bought.
“Great,” Ralph says. “You walk in looking all GQ.” I look down at my outfit. After being in a suit last night and knowing that I have to wear one tomorrow, I opted to wear blue jeans with a white button-down shirt and a blue cashmere sweater over it.
“We’re dressed the same,” I say, looking at his outfit.
“Whatever,” he says and then points at the gift. “I already know you spent too much on this.” He shakes his head.
“To be honest,” I say, “Lizzie is the one who bought the gift, and she bought herself one also.”
“Ohh,” Candace says, “maybe it’s diamond earrings.” She tries to look in the bag. “Lizzie always has the best taste in everything.”
“If that contains diamond earrings, you are giving it back,” Ralph says, and I just laugh. “I’m not kidding.”
“Okay, I’m going to leave you two to handle whatever it is you are handling,” I tell them and walk away. The two of them are perfect for each other. When I found out they were together, I wasn’t at all shocked because they really are a perfect couple. Whenever I see them, it makes me wonder if I will ever find that person who completes me. Is true love really a thing? But I don’t really have time for love. I don’t have time to wine and dine someone. Do I date? I mean, generally, I slip my dates between my business meetings. But no woman wants to come second to my job. And my job is always going to be my priority.
I stop to talk to a couple of people before I make my way over to Becca. I can hear chatter all around me, but as I get closer to her table, I hear her voice now.
“So what you are saying,” Becca says, setting down her champagne glass, “is that my stocks in my company are going to go up if you take me as your agent?” I stop in my tracks and watch as the rookie smirks at her.
“Yes,” he says. “I’m up and coming, and if everything goes according to plan, I’ll be in demand.” I hold my breath.
“Let me just fill you in on something,” she says, turning so she can see him face-to-face. “My stock is already skyrocketing, and it has nothing to do with you or whatever you think you bring to the table. Which, as of right now, are only empty promises,” she tells him.
He opens his mouth to speak when she puts up her hand. “Furthermore, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Deflate that ego of yours just a bit more because, in one shift, you can be yesterday’s news. With that said, I think I’m going to pass on the offer to be your agent.” She turns around, leaving David with his mouth hanging open as she picks up her glass of champagne and drains it.
“Well, then,” he says, getting up, “good talking to you.”
She smiles at him, and I step up before she chews him up and spits him back out. “Hey,” I say, walking up. Becca looks up at me, and I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever noticed how beautiful she is. Her green eyes are almost the color of an emerald. “Becca,” I say, sitting in the chair in front of her. “David,” I say, and he nods at me before walking away. “That was …” I say, shaking my head. “I think he’s going to cry.”
She rolls her eyes. “You would not believe the shit he said,” she says and smiles at the waiter who replaces her empty glass with a full one. “Thank you.” I see that her eyes lighten up just a touch when she smiles. “You think I was too hard on him?”
I’ve known Becca ever since I became the owner and showed up at her first meeting with us. We’ve gone toe-to-toe before, and we can both be cutthroat for the people we believe in. Usually, we are on the same page, and even though we’ve disagreed, we’ve always stayed professional. “He needed that,” I say of David. “His numbers lead him to believe he’s invincible on the ice, and that can be dangerous.”
“Well, you know what they say. The higher up you are, the harder you fall,” she says. “Sorry.” Shaking her head, she leans forward, and I see lace under her jacket. And for the first time in I don’t know how long, I find I’m interested in seeing what else is under her jacket. “It’s been a day.”
“Don’t I know it,” I say and put my hand up for the waiter. When he comes over, I order a beer.
“Whoa,” she says, and I look at her.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink at an event,” she says, and I lean back in my chair. “Usually, it’s a bottle of water.”
“I’ve spent a whole week going over my budget,” I say. She leans forward, and I smell citrus.
“You don’t need a beer,” she says. “You need a bottle of scotch.”
I laugh, knowing she’s right. “I’ve never heard you laugh.”
“That’s because every time I sit down with you, I feel you squeeze …” I’m about to say my balls, but something stops me. “My neck.”
Her laughter sends shivers up my arms. “Oh, come on. It’s not that bad.” She drinks more of her champagne, and I wonder if her lips taste sweet. It’s only when I have that thought do I stop staring at her. Where the fuck is all this coming from? I’m afraid to say anything with the direction of my thoughts. “I let you win sometimes.” She hides her smile with her champagne glass.
“Sometimes.” I shake my head, hoping to clear out the idea of her naked in front of me. “And then sometimes …”
“And sometimes it feels like I’m kicking you in the ass.” She tilts her head slightly to the side, smiles, and then shrugs. “It might be why I’m good at my job.”