Chapter Twelve
Anthony
For once, Dad’s proud of me. Funny how I always told myself I didn’t care whether he was or not, but now it feels sort of good. Especially because Jerrod is sitting to his right, and my cousin is most definitely not proud. In fact, he looks like he just sucked on a lemon slice. It’s the cherry on top of my sundae, and it takes a lot of self-control for me not to brag.
Dad raises a glass in my direction, totally oblivious to the little drama playing out between Jerrod and me. I turn my attention to my father and mirror the smile he’s giving me.
“To your first account and the stellar idea you pitched to earn it. I got a call this afternoon from Gary Chambersmith himself, singing your praises.”
I return his toast and toss back the single malt scotch he ordered just for this occasion. Jerrod, on the other hand, hasn’t touched his glass. I don’t know for certain, but I don’t think Dad brought him here when he scored his first account, and I know that has to chafe.
“So how’d you come up with the big idea, anyway?” His eyes narrow, and I’m sure he thinks he looks intimidating.
I shrug and finish off my drink. “It’s sort of a long story,” I explain with a grin. “Not the sort of thing I wanna go into while we’re celebrating. Boring actually.” Then, I turn to Dad. “So, did Gary confirm a meeting for two weeks from now?”
Dad nods as he finishes his own drink. “Oh, yes. We’re all set. I’m looking forward to seeing what you present.”
“Me, too,” Jerrod sneers.
I take a moment to indulge in a fantasy where my fist is caving in his snide ferret face. Then I smile.
“I look forward to showing it to you.” I check the time. There’s still an hour until I’m supposed to meet with Jane. The thought of seeing her again outside the office is enough to pull at the corners of my mouth, making me smile just a little when I remember that laugh of hers.
I can’t remember what Trinity sounds like when she laughs. Hell, I can’t even remember if I’ve ever heard her real laugh. Jane isn’t flashy or trendy or anything like that. She’s real. Probably the most real person I’ve ever met.
And even the finest restaurant in New York can’t make me want to be here more than with her. I’m planning on enjoying my meal, but I won’t be lingering when I know Jane is waiting.
Dad orders a thick steak, baked potato, and side of creamed spinach. How he manages to keep that trim physique of his is a mystery to me. Must be metabolism, because I doubt that when I’m his age, I’ll be able to do the same. Jerrod, big surprise, orders the same thing. He’s so pathetic it makes my head hurt. I order grilled salmon and asparagus, with a salad on the side.
And then remind myself to make sure to grab some mouthwash before I get to the bar.
Just in case I have the opportunity to repeat last night.
“You know, Anthony, I can’t stop asking myself just how you managed to wow Gary Chambersmith, one of the toughest nuts in the world. You cracked him on the first try—not just the first try with his company, but the first try ever.” Jerrod’s smile is tight, practically splitting his face in two.
I wish it would. In fact, I wish I could split his fucking face. I don’t give a damn that he’s kissing my dad’s ass, or even that he’s more involved in the company than I am. I can handle all that. If he isn’t so damn smug all the time.
I shrug. “Some people are just lucky.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” he snaps.
Dad clears his throat. “I beg to differ. A lot of our business is sheer luck. Hitting the right nerve on the right day at the right time. You catch a person on a bad day, and even the best pitch will go south, no question about it.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” my cousin immediately backpedals. Dancing on a string, as always, with Dad controlling his every movement.
I want to tell him to grow some fucking balls, that I might respect him and his ideas more if they’re actually his.
I’m the pinnacle of self-control tonight.
He continues, “I just have to wonder at Anthony’s extremely lucky luck, that’s all. Especially since there was nothing in his ledger only hours before the meeting.”
I blink. Twice. What the fuck? I manage to keep from yelling as I ask, “You were in my office? Looking through my things?”
Dad frowns. “Is this true, Jerrod? Why were you going through his office?”
He turns roughly the shade of a tomato. “I went in to see if he needed any help with the pitch, but that was before we met with him in your office.”
“Oh. I see.” Dad digs into the steak that’s just been placed in front of him, and I take the opportunity to glare at my cousin. At least the food’s here, meaning our mouths will be too full for much conversation.
Or so I think.
“So what direction do you think the campaign will take now?” Jerrod asks before taking a big bite of his steak. It’s medium-rare, just like Dad’s, and he makes a face like he isn’t enjoying it as much as he should.
“What do you mean?” I ask as I carefully cut my salmon.
Dad wipes his mouth. “That’s a good question. So, Anthony, what shape do you have in mind for the full scope of the campaign?”
I’m at a loss, of course. What can I say when I have no clue what Jane’s going to come up with? Vague. “I have a few ideas.”
“Such as?” Jerrod lowers his knife and fork with an expectant smile.
Damn him. I check my watch and see that it’s quarter to nine. “You know what? I have a meeting scheduled for nine o’clock, and I really should get going.”
“A meeting?” Dad looks skeptical, to say the least.
“A business meeting. Just trust me. Hey, I didn’t let you down today, did I?” I flash him a smile and shake his hand. “Thank you for dinner.”
I don’t give Jerrod the satisfaction of a glance as I stand and walk away from the table. I don’t manage to get a good, deep breath until I step outside. That was close. I won’t be able to sidestep perfectly reasonable questions for much longer. Jane had better have some great ideas for me.
The crowd at the bar is pretty much the same as it was last night, which means it’s unimpressive. I spot Jane at a table by the wall right away. She looks just as cute as she did last night, and unlike most of the girls in the bar, she’s not flashing any skin. Jeans and a fitted sweater that’s surprisingly practical and attractive. Somehow it makes her even more interesting.
“Hey, there.” I sit across from her. “You need a drink.”
She grins. “You look like you need one, too.”
“You have no idea.” I signal the waitress, who gives me a provocative smile that I ignore. Jane orders a vodka and cranberry, same as last night. I order a bourbon on the rocks, then turn back to Jane with a smile. “Let’s get down to business.”
Her eyes widen like she’s surprised. “Oh. Okay.”
I raise an eyebrow and try not to crack a smile. It’s nice to see that the chemistry I felt last night wasn’t just me. She feels it, too. I’m sure of it. “Are you surprised that I want to talk business? I thought that’s why we came here.”
Her eyes drop to the table as color floods her cheeks. “Oh, no, of course. I mean. Yeah. Business. You need me for business.”
I chew the inside of my mouth to keep a straight face. “That’s right. I do need you. For business.”
“Which is why we’re here.”
I’m not sure if she’s trying to convince me or herself.
“Which is why we’re here.” I raise my glass in an amused toast to her and take a sip. She’s far too much fun. And that’s not something I’ve had a lot of in my life. Fun that isn’t about getting drunk or hooking up with a one-night stand. It’s enjoying someone’s company, and this is the first time in a long time I feel like I can just relax with someone.
We talk for a few minutes about the scope of the campaign, if only so I can give my father an answer when he inevitably asks me. He will. He doesn’t forget things. I love the way her mind works. She has that pretty, cute, sweet façade but underneath? Underneath, she’s a shrewd firecracker. I wouldn’t want to face her in a game of chess. Of course, I don’t play chess, but I might be willing to start if it means I can watch that mind of hers at work.
“We’ve gotta hit them in the feels. If the big guy went for it today, that’s the direction we need to take. I promise he’ll love it.” We touch glasses, holding each other’s gaze. There’s something in her eyes I haven’t seen yet. A depth, a wicked gleam. A part of her that I have an interest in drawing out now that I know it exists. One little vodka cranberry and she’s loosening up pretty nicely. The night just might get interesting.
And it does, but not in the way I’m hoping. Because that’s when the douchebag from last night comes over and grabs her by the arm.