The Proposal, page 12
“Are we talking about you or…”
Tilting his head, he grabbed another handful of the cheese flavor. “We’re talking about life. When it takes a steaming dump on your chest, you wipe it off and keep on chugging.”
I shuddered at the brown lump in my hand. “Nice visual.” I dropped the caramel corn clump back into the tin and pushed it away.
“It’s why you called me.”
Snapping at Zara right before our first big day out wasn’t a great plan. Of course she’d called trying to be nice at exactly the wrong moment. I didn’t need another jewel added to my crown of failure, but here it was.
Halfway through our lunch of a double XL pizza and a couple beers, August handed over another one.
“Is this only about your dad?” He folded his pepperoni and double cheese slice in half, determined to fit even more into his mouth.
I tapped out after three oversized slices. August ate like a linebacker, but looked like a surfer. I’d need to get back into the gym before Rollie Pollie returned.
“Do I have a giant scroll screen across my forehead?”
“No, but you’ve looked at your phone five times in the last ten minutes. Since I’m here, I know you’re not anticipating a witty message from me, and your dad barely uses the phone. Is this about Zara? The one with the ring?”
I balled up my napkin and set it down, wanting to throw it. “She called right after I left my dad’s house and I flipped on her. We’ve got this thing to do tomorrow where we have to be a pretend fake happy couple and I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t knee me in the balls the next time she saw me.”
August chuckled. “Couples do that.”
“Not happily engaged couples.”
He downed more of his beer. “Can’t help you there.”
“You two were happy.”
“Were we? You don’t stand up in front of all your friends and family with your best man at your side, not even able to stand still because you’re so happy to see your soon-to-be bride, and watch your doom walk down the aisle toward you, if you’re actually happy.” He drained the rest of his beer and arched the can through the air, watching it clatter into the empty recycling.
“Whatever was going on with her, you were happy.”
“I was delusional.” August dragged his hands down his face. “Mid-day drinking is already beyond me. We’re getting old. And I’m ordering a taxi.”
“If you pull any ‘we’re getting too old for this’ shit—I swear.”
“Fine, I only feel like an old man, but know we are in fact way too young for this shit. You’re at the end of a career and I feel like a bitter divorced man, only I never got married.”
“At least we know our roles.”
“I have back-up popcorn tins at my place if you need them. I’m only a call away. We took for granted being able to hop on our bikes and walk into each other’s houses, growing up.”
“What do you call what you just did?”
August laughed and picked up his keys. “True. I need to get back to work.”
“You serious?”
“I can do it with my eyes closed.” He closed them and touched one finger to his nose, missing, and poking himself in his eye. “My tolerance is gone.” Hanging his head in shame, he let the door close behind him.
At least there’s someone out there who has my back and a ball pit full of flavored popcorn.
Bracing myself, I sent Zara a text.
Me: Do you need me to do anything else for tomorrow?
Ginersnap: No.
Me: I’ll be at your place at 6am tomorrow
Gingersnap: Fine.
Her single word answers seethed even over text. Who’d said this was supposed to be easy? Oh, that was me. What a moron.
Better head to bed early tonight to prepare for the clusterfuck headed my way tomorrow.
16
Zara
“Do you have everything?” Leo called out the second I opened the passenger side door.
I slid into my seat and turned to drop my things into the back seat. Turning to him, I held up one finger—not the one I wanted, but the one that wouldn’t send our tenuous truce spiraling and ruin our first chance to prove ourselves. “One time. I forgot something once.”
“Which happened to be the most important set of documents. Can’t fault me for double checking. What was it you said?” He tapped his chin. “It’s not personal. It’s business.”
I jammed my seatbelt on, simmering that he’d thrown my own words back at me.
“This will be the first time we’ll see Kathleen since we won the job. Let’s set some ground rules.”
“This’ll be good.” Leo pulled into traffic and we started our hour-long drive out to the estate. He had on his favorite work uniform. A light blue button-down rolled up so his sinewy forearms flexed every time he moved. There were muscle groups there I hadn’t known existed. “I’m all ears.” He cupped his hand around his ear, once again reminding me how infuriating he was.
“You took a few liberties at the presentation when—”
“When you made the unilateral split-second decision to fake an engagement to dupe a client and win us the advantage.” His gaze cut to mine. “I think I wasn’t the only one taking liberties.” He added a hands-totally-off-the-steering-wheel set of air quotes to the last word.
“Hands on the wheel.” I reached for it.
He pushed my hands back over to my side of the car.
I huffed. “I’ve apologized, but we’re in it now, so I’d like to set some ground rules so we’re both on the same page.”
“Go for it, Gingersnap.”
“Number 1: No more use of Gingersnap.”
“No.”
“What do you mean ‘no’?”
“I mean the opposite of yes. No. I don’t know why you’re so offended—it describes you to a T. Plus, Kathleen has already heard me call you that a few times. If I never use it, then she might think something is up. We wouldn’t want her to think we’re fighting, would we, Gingersnap?”
My jaw clenched. “Fine. You can use it up to twice a day and only in front of Kathleen.”
He let out a huff of amusement, but no further response.
“Number 2: Hand placement is exclusive to the hand, shoulder and back from the waist up.”
“Kathleen’s going to think you’re giving me the cold shoulder.”
“Couples who work together must appear professional, or it gives the wrong impression. I trust your acting abilities with these constraints.”
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t want to hold onto you too long—my hand might freeze off.”
My anger kicked up from simmer to roar. “We’re working together for now, but don’t forget what this is: every man for himself when it comes to being the lead on this account.”
“Thanks for clearing up exactly where we stand. Here I thought we could collaborate. Find a way to work together as professional adults to decimate Oren & Co. And then use the final presentation as a cage match to decide who will be the reigning champ.”
After everything, was he freaking kidding me?
He tilted his head, catching my gaze. “Can we get through the next few weeks without drawing blood, and then you can go for the jugular after we beat Oren and Co.?”
A slow smile spread across my face. His smile dropped a bit. It was my chew-you-up-and-spit-you-out smile. The one that meant the shit list just got another name. The one Bobby Fallon saw in the seventh grade when he snipped my hair in shop class and I used a nail gun to pin him to the classroom door by his underwear.
For the past two years this grin had been locked up and I’d been on my best behavior, but now Leo had cracked open the cage and it was fucking on. He, Oren & Co., Bill and anyone else who doubted me would see what I was made of.
“Fine. Let’s shake on it.”
His gaze darted from me back to the road. “What’s with the look?”
“What look?” My voice was sugary sweet, dripping with un-ironic dedication to our task.
He swirled his finger in front of my face before putting both hands back on the wheel. “The Stepford Wives look you’ve got going on.”
“Whatever do you mean, dear?” I put the backs of my hands against my chin and batted my eyelashes at him.
“Don’t look at me like that.” His hands tightened on the wheel.
I leaned in closer. “Like what?”
“Come on, Zara. It’s creepy, all doe-eyed...”
Laughing, I flopped back into my seat. “Fine, I’ll save it for Winthorpe. But I agree to your terms as long as you agree to mine.”
His unnerved glances ended. His lips tightened and he held out his hand. “Your terms are accepted.”
Our hands clasped, his enveloping mine whole like an animal out on the savannah wolfing down its prize. The rough pads of his fingers brushed against my wrist.
My pulse jumped, kickstarted by the heat and strength of his hold. I tugged my hand away and sat straight in my seat. All that tension and barb-laced energy was playing tricks with my head. The enemy of my enemy in this case wasn’t exactly a friend, but I’d play along.
A bump of my head against the window woke me up. I squeezed my eyes closed and covered my yawn. I’d fallen asleep? It wasn’t often I was a passenger in a car. Public transportation and walking got my everywhere I needed to go, unless I was flying to see Tyler. Growing up, I’d always fall asleep within a few minutes of pulling away from the curb, even if it was a short ride. Something about the steady rock of a car meant nighty-night for me.
I rubbed my eyes and sat straighter, stealing a glance over at Leo.
He didn’t make any comments about me taking an unscheduled nap, so maybe he hadn’t noticed. Or maybe he was holding it back since we were on the official teamwork train.
We drove down a tree-lined entrance. The branches of the trees created a twenty-foot-tall tunnel effect, driving up to the main building of the estate hotel. Glamping on steroids. There were fancy yurts sprinkled around the property. Each filled with plush carpets, electrical outlets, the best camping bathrooms I’d ever seen. Not that I’d ever really been camping, but I could certainly use my imagination.
Instead of heading to the large double doors at the top of the white and slate gray lobby, we pulled into the parking lot.
My phone and tablet were filled with unread messages even though I’d cleared them all before I’d gotten in the car.
Leo tensed when his gaze hit my screen. “Are all the vendors here? Has the paint tag company messaged you?”
I quickly scrolled through messages. “They’re here and getting set up. Everyone is here. No emergencies. We’re good to go.”
Leo’s body relaxed and he nodded, looking out the windshield although the car was in park, staring like he was getting ready to head into battle.
I set my hand on his arm. “Calm down. We’ve prepared. We’re going to kick ass today.”
He glanced down at my hand on his bicep. “You’re out of bounds, Gingersnap.”
Sliding my hand off his arm, I bit back my retort. I’d have to be the grown up for both of us, if he couldn’t. All my electronics went back in my bag into their padded pockets. Turning around, I grabbed my things from the back seat.
My passenger side door opened, flooding the interior with fresh forest smells and a cool breeze. Had it been this hot in here the whole time?
Leo stood in the open door, leaning against the metal before taking the bags from my hand. We were stalled in a silent tug-of-war with my hands still wrapped around the handles being tugged up to his height. His scrutinizing gaze raked over me.
Don’t let him see you squirm. He’s just fucking with you.
“Don’t forget the ring, Gingersnap.”
A breath escaped my lips. A mental head shake followed. I looked down at my bare finger. Ducking back in the car, I rummaged in my bag for the gigantic ring and slipped it on. “Ready, dear.”
He shuddered. “Don’t call me that. It freaks me out.”
“You keep calling me Gingersnap, I get ‘dear.’”
“Fine.”
“Wow, you love pushing my buttons that much, you’ll let me call you the shudder-inducing ‘dear’, so you don’t have to give up Gingersnap? Are you so commitment-phobic you can’t even pretend to be in a relationship?”
He slammed the door closed behind me. “You know about my relationship history?”
I didn’t need to. “You don’t scream ‘long-term committed guy.’”
“You don’t know the first thing about me. Maybe I’m Monogamy R Us. Wouldn’t that blow your mind?” He touched his fingers to the sides of his head and moved them outward like an explosion.
“So are you?”
He squeezed the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze.
“Exactly.” I forged ahead, my shoes sinking into the soft grass. One thing I’d say for this whole camping thing we had going, it meant I wasn’t trapped in sky-high heels. Jeans, a blouse, and black shoes. It wasn’t the ideal combo, but everyone else was going to be in jeans, so it would be okay.
Even Leo in his jeans and button-down looked more laid back than I did.
Maybe my top was a bit too formal. Looking from him to me, I had the realization we weren’t playing pretend for ten minutes in front of Kathleen. We’d be interacting with how many people today? At least no one was supposed to know we were together—we wouldn’t have to flaunt anything. That helped me relaxed. No one was supposed to know we were together. No one would notice. Everyone would be too busy being blinded by paint balloons, relaxing in a massage chair or eating the amazing food to spare me or Leo a single glance.
We were the help. Background noise put here to ensure things ran smoothly.
I scrolled through my phone, checking on all the messages rolling in. Lucky me, handling this job and still being required to keep up with all my normal work, which seemed to grow every day. Andi at least shared memes of her interpretation of Valerie’s facial expressions and attitude when I was away from the office.
Simply Stark had become a safe haven in many ways. Would kissing the ground when I showed up there next be an overreaction? No. No, it would not.
Kathleen’s voice broke through the serene landscape. “You’re fired. Pack your things and go.” A woman in a business suit with a gold nametag stared at her, slack jawed.
“But...”
“No buts. You’ve mixed up two guests’ key cards since I’ve been here. That’s unacceptable.”
“Kathleen, it’s her second day.”
“And you’re the manager. I’d have hoped you’d have chosen better staff... Do I have to do everything around here?”
Leo and I exchanged looks. Dread settled deep in my chest.
Kathleen turned from the two shocked employees and broke into a wide smile.
“I’m so happy you’re here.” She bounded up to us the second we made it to the bottom steps of the lobby building like she was lighter than air, not like she’d just fired one employee and threatened to fire another. “I love this place. You know how things are in the hotel world. You’re growing or you’re dying.” She laughed.
I smiled and pretended I knew exactly how things were. We’d been here a few days ago and no one had said anything about them being purchased. Things did move quickly, and if they were acquiring more properties it meant their budgets were expanding, which meant even more for event management. Even more opportunities if I nailed this account.
“It’s lovely. Didn’t I say so, Leo?” I placed my hand on his arm.
“You sure did, Gingersnap.” Leo stood beside me and slid his arm around my waist, never passing up an opportunity to make me squirm. Only it wasn’t with discomfort which irritated me even more. The weight of his arm and pressure of his fingers through the fabric of my shirt sparked a flicker of something I didn’t have time for. He was the guy trying to push me off this project just like I was trying to do to him. A fragile trust was as far as this went until we crushed Oren & Co. and turned on each other. Until then, we’d play as nice as we needed to.
Deliveries arrived and people scurried through the lobby of the newly-acquired hotel, a small two-story main building surrounded by luxury cabins.
“We visited earlier this week to make sure everything could be set up as we needed it, so we can get to work.”
“Where are your overnight bags?”
“We figured we’d—”
Kathleen leaned in with a conspiratorial look. “Have you decided yet on your wedding venue? You two have been working so hard to put everything together for us.”
A small sound escaped my mouth.
Leo jumped in. “We haven’t yet. We’ve been so busy these past few months, working to provide our clients with the best experiences possible, that other than the night I slipped the ring on her finger, we haven’t been able to do anything else.”
“Then you have to take this ‘night together’ tonight.” Kathleen pressed the small key with a dangling wooden plaque into my palm.
We looked at each other, trying to justify–and gently explain—a plausible reason we would not, as an engaged couple, be sleeping in the same room in the same bed tonight.
“I plan on staying as well. We can have breakfast tomorrow.” Her smirk widened and she did a mischievous shoulder shimmy. “Let’s make it brunch. Your yurt is cozy and perfect for a pre-honeymoon night.” She winked and walked off.
I waited until she was out of earshot before I spun to face, him, panic rising. “We’re not sharing a room.”
“Do you want to give up a chance to chat with Kathleen over brunch? Pump her for more information? Butter her up? Or do you want to come clean now and piss her off?”
“We’ll figure it out later. We’ve got a lot to get done. I’ll check on the food and indoor events. The outdoor stuff is all yours.”
“On my way.” He saluted me and walked off, disappearing out the doors onto the flagstone patio.
A group of the catering staff craned their necks to watch him go. Their flirty laughter and obvious staring shouldn’t have gotten to me, but I was wearing his fake engagement ring, dammit.
