Chapter 5

The next afternoon, after fitting in two more local moves for the week’s end, Reid gathered Evan, Cash, the Jacksons, and Jordan in the conference room to meet with Naomi. He’d scheduled with the TV station to do the interview that evening, though it would air the following week, and Naomi wanted them all to be ready.

As usual, everyone looked to Cash until it became clear he intended to sit back and let Reid run the show. Reid didn’t mind, because the headache that was to come would sound better coming from his mouth than his brother’s.

“Thanks for coming, guys.” Reid meant that. Though he’d be sure to pay them for their time, the evening hadn’t been mandatory, especially not after a full day’s work. “The shirts look good on you.” Everyone had dressed in their Vets on the Go! T-shirts and jeans. Reid had to admit the team looked strong, professional. He liked Jordan being there as well. Naomi agreed, saying it made them appear more approachable, inclusive. And hell, Jordan was cute.

“Naomi’s going to go over a few points.” He glared a warning at Cash, who glared back. The big bastard hadn’t wanted to be included in the promotional stuff.

Naomi smiled at everyone. She wore another suit that set off her killer body. Reid had assumed his “nothing matters but the business” face before joining the others. But it took effort to pretend not to be affected by the woman. To his amusement, she seemed to be acting the same with him.

He felt an unspoken challenge lingering between them, as if to see who would cave to the attraction first. Or he might be deluded.

Either might be true at this point.

Before Naomi could speak, Cash said, “I don’t see why we all need to be here. Reid, they want to talk to you, the face of the company.”

“Yeah,” Evan muttered, looking tired.

“We all know I’m best when I’m not talking.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Hector said, to which everyone had a laugh.

“You’re here,” Naomi hurriedly cut in, “because you’re all necessary for the segment. I talked with the reporter interviewing you. She’s a friend of mine. Together, we brainstormed a terrific piece that will not only get the station kudos for its public interest story, but will also generate your team more revenue with more clients.”

“Just what we need,” Reid said. “Oh, and Evan, don’t let me forget to talk to you after the meeting about a few expenses.”

“Of course I’ll stay late. I apparently have no life.” Evan popped an antacid and gulped it down with coffee.

“Gross.” Cash made a face, then grinned at the finger Evan shot him.

Naomi looked from Evan to Cash to Reid. “You three are perfect. All Marines, correct?”

They nodded.

“And the rest of the team looks terrific. We’ll take you in for makeup and a little sprucing, but don’t worry. We’re just using the bulk of you for the photo op. Same with Evan and Cash, to an extent. Reid, you’re the mouthpiece of the company. But in case the interviewer pulls any of the rest of you aside, I have some buzzwords you can throw around.”

Jordan frowned. “Excuse me. Why am I here, exactly? I just started three days ago.”

Naomi answered, “You’re an attractive female who served her country and now works for Vets on the Go! We need you, Hector, and Lafayette to show yourselves as capable and friendly.”

“Good luck with that,” Cash chimed in.

Lafayette groaned. “Nah, man. She’s meaning diversity. Get a shot of the black guys and the chick to be all inclusive.”

“Shouldn’t we have a token gay on the team then?” Cash grumbled.

“What am I? Chopped liver?” Lafayette asked.

Everyone paused.

Reid sighed. “Not now, Lafayette. You can hassle Cash about it later.”

“Oh, okay.”

Cash turned to Reid, his eyes wide. “You knew Lafayette was gay and didn’t tell me?”

“Why is this relevant?” Reid didn’t have the patience to deal with his brother now.

Lafayette and Hector nodded. “Exactly,” Hector said, then turned to Cash with a more serious expression. “Is this a problem?”

“Hell yes, it’s a problem!”

“Here we go.” Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Evan grinning and Naomi and Jordan glued to the spectacle as if watching a horror movie. Unexpectedly, Lafayette relaxed while his brother tensed as if ready to throw down.

“What the fuck is your problem?” Hector growled.

“I should have been told, that’s my problem.” Cash completely ignored Lafayette as he started in on Reid. “You said I make all the decisions about personnel.”

“So knowing Lafayette is gay would have impacted you hiring him?”

“No, jackass. But we don’t keep secrets. Who cares if he’s gay? He’s not all that bright, but he’s a hard worker.”

“What?” Now Lafayette frowned, but Hector had lost his hostility.

“I mean, he and Hector could make more money working for one of the bigger companies, but they know we’re better people.”

“Explain ‘not that bright.’” Lafayette glared.

Cash spoke over him. “You just look at the twins and you know they can lift a mountain without trying hard.”

Jordan turned to Lafayette. “Is lifting mountains a thing?”

“Not in my world. In Cash’s? Who knows?”

“But I should have known,” Cash continued.

Naomi tried to intervene. “Perhaps we should get back on track—”

“No,” Reid interrupted, amused and annoyed at the same time. “Look, Cash, you might be the muscle behind the operation, but I’m the brains.”

Evan cleared his throat.

“Evan and I are the brains. Don’t stress it that you don’t know Lafayette’s sexual proclivities, Jordan’s shoe size, or Finley’s latest gambling fixation,” Reid said, seeing Finley walk into the room as he apologized for being late. “And no, guys. You’re not the diversity package. Naomi wanted all the pretty people for the shoot.”

“Ah. So no on Tim and Martin,” Hector said with a laugh.

“Actually, I had planned on using the whole team, but Tim and Martin didn’t want to be included.”

Cash frowned. “I didn’t want to be included either.”

“Oh my God.” Evan rubbed his temples. “Shut up and deal, Cash. Can we please get on with this? I have more work to get back to after we wrap this up.”

“This is going to take some time.” Naomi frowned. “You do know the interview and photo shoot are tonight.”

“Cash said the interview was Monday afternoon.”

Cash paused. “I don’t remember saying that. Oh, wait, I was talking about another interview, the one on that reality TV show I’m hooked on. That chick is going to be in Pioneer Square Monday afternoon. I’m totally going to see it. With any luck, she’ll pop off and punch her sister in the mouth.”

“What show is this?” Jordan asked, sounding interested.

Evan growled, and Reid fought a smile. It took a lot to rile his cousin. Once again, Cash managed the nearly impossible. He glanced at Naomi, wondering what she thought of the chaos, and took comfort in her large eyes and the questioning look she shot him.

He nodded. “Yep. It’s always like this. You still sure you want to work with us?”

* * *

Naomi had to fight not to laugh. In amusement or frustration, she couldn’t be sure. God, did any of these people know the meaning of the word focus? Reid sat back with a wry grin as his brother regaled the table with the exploits of some real women of some random city she couldn’t care less about. The issue of Lafayette’s sexuality had come and gone faster than she’d been able to track. She’d been about to step in, and to step all over Cash’s homophobia, when the big guy had shifted all his anger toward his brother for not telling him about the issue. Being gay didn’t seem to matter at all, but not knowing something his brother did bothered Cash.

Huh. She didn’t know how to process that yet.

Watching Jordan interact with the crew was telling. Instead of the calm, levelheaded feminine presence Naomi had been hoping for, Jordan seemed like one of the guys. Finley remained quiet but amused, a constant smile on his face as he studied everyone and flipped a coin over his knuckles, back and forth. He saw her watching and made the quarter disappear.

Then he opened up his other hand and showed her the coin.

“Great. We can hire you out for parties,” she said.

He guffawed.

A sudden lull hit the table, and she hurried to speak before someone else found something not important to talk about for ten minutes. “Okay, everyone, focus.”

“Hold all questions to the end,” Reid added.

“Yes, that.” Naomi stood, needing to feel bigger and thus in charge of this chaotic meeting. “All you people have to do is look trustworthy. Hector, Lafayette, smile a lot and flex those amazing muscles. Finley, look charming and don’t stare overlong at women’s breasts or butts.”

“Hey.” He bit back a grin.

“Jordan, just act sweet and professional.”

“But—”

“I don’t care. Pretend.” Naomi turned away from Jordan and zoned in on Cash. “You. You’ll stand with Evan and Reid and look brotherly and united. Don’t ask, just do.”

Cash closed his mouth on his question.

“Now, those buzzwords for you in case anyone asks.” She rattled off a bunch of key phrases like integrity, dedication, attention to detail, all words she knew they understood having served in the military, and added more target marketing jargon to make them appear trustworthy and appealing.

“The photo shoot starts in an hour by the truck Finley should have pulled out back. The interview should actually air next week. Now, does anyone have any questions?”

“Wow, she’s good,” Lafayette said in a loud whisper.

Finley nodded. “Come on, guys. Let’s leave the bosses to get lectured while we get the props ready.”

Once the group left, she faced off with the Griffiths. Apart, they were impressive, but together, they could be overwhelming. Of the three of them, she found Reid the most appealing. Intelligence shone in his gray eyes, and his full lips curved in a smile that gave him a polished charm, complementing the strength in his tall, muscular frame. Smaller than Cash but no less attractive, Reid seemed confident and sexy all at the same time. Cash had a brooding intensity, all muscle and command. There was no denying his appeal. And Evan, despite not realizing they’d be taking pictures tonight, looked completely put-together gorgeous. He possessed a smoother, gentler charisma that would make any woman with a pulse take a second look, though he didn’t seem to have Reid’s intensity or Cash’s boldness.

“Evan, thanks for coming. I’m so sorry for the confusion.” She took in his attire—dark slacks and a white button-down shirt. The handsome executive personified. Though Reid wore a similar button-down shirt with blue jeans, he looked more dangerous somehow. Rougher and exciting.

And off-limits.

So sad she had to keep reminding herself of that.

“No problem.” Evan gave her a tired smile. “Just tell me where you want me and what to say.”

“See?” Reid turned to Cash. “That’s how you deal with the situation. Follow some freakin’ orders.”

“Whatever.” Cash grunted, then sat back, glaring at Reid and Naomi.

“Hey, don’t give me that look,” she said, amused and not at all threatened. For some reason, the Griffith brothers—and cousin—looked like they could take on an armed gang without a problem yet gave the impression they wouldn’t hurt one whisker on a kitten. Fanciful, but she felt it all the same. “Okay, guys. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Cash gave a loud groan.

Once he and Evan walked outside the warehouse to join the others, Reid joined Naomi and stared down at her notes. “Any more advice for me?”

She shook her head and turned, caught unaware that they stood so close. She faltered when one of her heels wobbled, and Reid caught her.

They both froze, staring at the other. She wondered if he felt the heat between them and thanked God her blazer covered her now-erect nipples. What was it about this man that put her every nerve on alert?

His gaze slipped to her mouth before finding her eyes again, and she found his light-gray stare unnerving. Talk about intense.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice like silk.

“F-fine. Sorry.” She went against every instinct she possessed and took a step back, disappointed he let her. “Thanks.”

“Yeah.” He continued to stare at her and tucked his hands in his pockets.

She refused to look down at his jeans, not wanting to know if he’d been as affected as she still was by that simple touch.

“Man, you are really pretty.”

She felt her cheeks heat. “Reid.”

“Just sayin’.” He smiled, and she wanted to fan herself. “So, any advice, Starr PR?”

“Just be yourself.” She smiled back, pleased when he seemed entranced. “Your interviewer is Rhonda Peters, and I’m sure she’ll be in love with you five seconds after meeting you.”

His grin turned cocky. “Oh?”

“Please. You’re attractive, and you know it.” There, I got it off my chest. “Which is terrific when trying to sell something. You see a commercial with a gorgeous woman who barely looks at a pair of jeans slung over the corner of her bed. But you remember that commercial for jeans because she stuck in your mind.”

“Nah. If she’s not wearing them, I’m not interested. Wait. I am, but not in the jeans.” He laughed. “So, do you ever wear jeans?” He glanced at her suit. “I imagine you look great in anything.”

Before she let herself be drawn into flirtation, she mentally backed away. “Perfect. Use that with Rhonda, but be careful, or she’ll take you up on your offer.”

“Offer?” His gaze cooled.

“That bedroom voice, the seduction. It’s good, but you might want to throttle back how hard you push. Rhonda will be overwhelmed.”

“But not you.” He studied her. “What would it take to overwhelm you, Naomi?”

Hearing her name on those sexy lips threw her for a moment. Unfortunately, he noticed, because he gave her a sly smile.

“Me? Nothing. I never mix business with pleasure. Ever.” Not anymore.

“Huh. Then it’s a good thing you and I only have a three-month contract, isn’t it?”

Wait. That hadn’t gone as planned. “What?”

Reid laughed. “I’m kidding, Naomi. I agree. Sex and business don’t go together. I’m just yanking your chain. You’re too easy.” He held up a hand. “To rile. Too easy to rile. Otherwise, you’re a tough woman. Not meaning that in any way offensive either. Having to work for something makes it more worth it, you know?”

She scowled. “I’m losing track of this conversation. What exactly do you mean?”

Reid lost his smile. “Heck if I know. Look, in the Marine Corps, fraternization is a no-no. You don’t make friends with your boss, and you aren’t supposed to sleep with him or her either. I get you. But Naomi, you’re not my employee.”

“You’re my client,” she said, working hard to mean what she said. “It’s unprofessional to get romantically involved with you. I’m qualified for this job because I’m good at what I do, not because I’m pretty and can flirt a good game.”

He frowned. “Don’t think I ever said you weren’t qualified.”

She wanted to smack herself for going off on a tangent and blushed three shades of red. Her face hurt, it felt so hot. “God, ignore me. It’s been a long day. I’m sorry for digressing. I just meant we need to keep things professional, that’s all.”

Reid studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Hey, I respect that.” His voice gentled. “I respect you, you know. Don’t worry. This will turn out just fine tonight.”

She nodded, about to apologize for turning his comments into a diatribe about unfair work practices when Rhonda’s team showed up.

Instead, she sighed. “Break a leg, Reid. And just remember, be yourself.”

Unfortunately, he did just that and had Rhonda and half her team fawning all over him. The team photographed well, and the TV crew seemed enchanted with the twins and Jordan. Finley had the lead cameraman laughing and the sound guy demanding another trick with Finley’s magical quarter.

Their outdoor shoot had also attracted several onlookers, and word spread that the heroic guys from that stopped burglary earlier in the week were on TV again.

The interview couldn’t have gone better. The photographers loved working with everyone, and the large moving van advertised their contact number and name for everyone to see.

But Rhonda, damn her, was getting way too cozy with Reid. Which wasn’t Naomi’s problem.

Gah. What the hell is wrong with me? He’s not a boyfriend or potential boyfriend. He’s a client.

“Naomi, hey. How are you?”

She turned to see an old friend, one of the managers at the television station. “Morgan, great to see you.”

She accepted a kiss on the cheek and gave him one in return.

A few years her senior, Morgan had taken her on two dates after her breakup from Tanner. Though he’d been a nice guy, there was no chemistry, and his kisses had been mediocre and rushed. Before anything went further, she’d broken it off, claiming too much on her plate to get serious.

Morgan had a terrific smile and a slender build. A nice guy. Maybe too nice. He grinned. “You get better looking every time I see you.”

“Flatterer.” She smiled. “So how have you been?”

They made small talk while she watched the Griffiths get their pictures taken and get interviewed. Cash put Reid in a headlock, which hadn’t been in the script. But everyone laughed as more photos were taken. And of course, Cash’s arms bulged while Reid slugged his brother in the gut where he could manage a punch.

The photo shoot turned into a huge party with everyone enjoying themselves, then transitioned to Ringo’s Bar down the street.

By that time, she’d agreed to meet Morgan there to talk some more. He claimed to have a lead on a business that needed her help, though his eyes told another story. But it made her feel better to put even more distance between herself and Reid, because she swore she could feel the man watching her with Morgan, even as she watched Rhonda not so casually wrap her hand around his arm.