He opted to focus on that part before pulling away. “So…I’ll have my attorney draw up an agreement for you to look at and sign. It should be to you early next week.”
“That works,” she said, but he was beginning to notice how she was trying so hard not to smile or show any excitement.
“You mentioned you had dinner plans,” he said, taking another step back from her. “I hope you can now add a bottle of champagne to it to celebrate.”
“Well…it was really only going to be pizza out on the deck before going for a walk on the beach. Nothing wild. But I will definitely add a glass of wine to it and toast myself.”
“Oh, uh…that sounds…wonderful. Good for you.”
Shaking her head, she walked to the front door murmuring, “Such a snob.”
“I’m not a snob,” he replied, trying to hold on to his temper. When he was standing in front of her, he decided he’d had enough. “You know, I’ve had more than enough of your insults. What gives you the right to pass judgement on me like this?”
“Like you didn’t do the same to me the day you came to the café?”
Dammit, she had him there.
“And I’m mature enough to see and know that I was wrong,” he said smoothly, issuing the challenge. “Are you?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and studied him for a long moment. “That depends.”
“On?”
“Prove me wrong.”
“Excuse me?”
Nodding, she repeated, “Prove me wrong. Show me you’re not some pampered rich dude who wears tuxedos and suits all the time because he doesn’t know how to relax and get dirty.”
It was borderline ridiculous the way she was baiting him, and yet…he took it.
“Fine. Challenge accepted.”
A slow smile crossed her face. “Okay, go home and change into something casual and be back here in an hour.”
That…wasn’t quite what he expected.
“Why?”
“It seems to me we have a lot of work ahead of us and we’ll be spending a good amount of time together. No time like the present to start.”
“Then why should I leave and come back? I can just take off my jacket and tie…”
“Nope. Nuh-uh. Go home and change and come back in something less…suity.” She waved her hand, motioning to all of him. “This. A lot less this.”
“Peyton…”
“I’m ordering a pizza. What are your topping choices?”
“I can pick up something…”
“Everyone likes pizza, Ryder, and considering you interrupted my relaxation time, I’m picking the meal.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to call the whole thing off, but…
“Fine. Pepperoni, sausage, peppers, and mushrooms are all acceptable. Choose what you want and I’ll be back in an hour.” With a nod of agreement, she thanked him and opened the door for him.
It wasn’t until he was standing next to his car and the front door was closed that he heard her scream with joy.
With a small laugh and a sense of satisfaction, Ryder climbed into his car and tried to figure out who was teaching who right now.
And where he was going to find casual clothes on such short notice.
4
For the life of her, Peyton had no idea why she would invite Ryder to eat with her, but it was too late to take it back.
Although, now that she had some time to think about it, she realized this was potentially a good test to see if they even could work together. No contracts were drawn up, nothing was signed, so if she found sitting and having pizza with him to be painful, she could just say thanks but no thanks and move on.
And kiss a lot of money goodbye.
Yeah, she wasn’t particularly proud of the fact that she even considered the money, but how could anyone say no to that kind of cash?
Certainly not me…
The initial offer he threw out annoyed her. The second shocked her. But once he mentioned building her restaurant, she was a goner. So it was important for her to test the waters tonight and see how unbearable Ryder was and what he was going to be like to work with. If he didn’t listen to her ideas or tried to push aside her contributions, then she’d seriously reconsider this deal.
And then immediately said a prayer that he wasn’t as awful as she originally thought.
She ordered the pizza and then grimaced at her wine selection.
“Screw it,” she murmured. “We’ll consider that our first test.”
Under normal circumstances, Peyton wasn’t this antagonistic or confrontational. Something about Ryder just seemed to push all her buttons. At first it was his looks that intimidated her, then his presence–he seriously seemed to command attention no matter where he was. With all the ways he had gotten involved with her cousins, he was around more and more and she knew eventually she’d get up the nerve to introduce herself. She just never imagined things would end up going down the way they did.
Or how bold she’d end up being.
Maybe it was a good thing; maybe by asserting herself the way she was, Ryder would take her seriously. It was obvious he had an issue with her age–that “mature enough” comment was definitely a dig at her–but she was going to prove to him that her age wasn’t a strike against her. If anything, her friends and family had always said she was sensible and cautious and that she was born old.
Not the most flattering description, but accurate nonetheless.
So maybe now that she and Ryder overcame this first obstacle, she could prove he shouldn’t discount her based on her age.
No, but he could certainly do it based on your lack of experience…
Yeah. That.
Peyton knew in her heart that she could do what he was asking for anyone else. It was Ryder personally that was a bit of a stumbling block for her. If any other person in Magnolia Sound had come to her with the offer to consult–much like Tommy Flynn did with The Mystic Magnolia–she wouldn’t have even given it a second thought. Of course she could do it. But when the offer came from Ryder, it suddenly seemed far too challenging. The kind of business he was proposing seemed way more out of her league than the places she was familiar with.
Plus, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle working so closely with him without it becoming obvious that she was attracted to him.
“Please don’t let me make an ass out of myself,” she muttered as she walked around fluffing pillows and making sure everything was neat and tidy. Considering the house was really more of a bungalow, it didn’t take long and the only thing left to do was put out a couple of plates, napkins, and wine glasses. Once that was done, all she could do was wait.
Fortunately, Ryder was prompt, and so was the pizza delivery because they showed up at the same time. Peyton watched as Ryder tipped the driver before walking up to her door. For some reason, she expected him to show up in perfectly creased khakis and a polo shirt carrying a bottle of wine. But he surprised her–pleasantly. Wearing a pair of navy athletic shorts, gray t-shirt, sneakers, and sunglasses, he looked extremely casual. It wasn’t until he was closer that she saw he also looked extremely uncomfortable.
And how the clothes were brand new.