Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“What do you think I should do?”
“Get to him first.” Ryder shrugs. “If you just so happen to run into him at the club and happen to mention the collaboration …”
“And he happens to agree,” I finish. “If this works, Anastasia is going to be so pissed.”
“Maybe, but do you really care? It’s not like your relationship with her is real.”
“True.” But even as I say the word, my gut churns at the thought of going behind her back.
If I do this, it’s going to draw a clear line in the sand, one I don’t think we can come back from. Am I willing to risk that? The answer should be glaringly obvious. She’s nobody to me. A fake fiancée I hired to help me get my promotion. Yet, even as I think the words, I know I’m lying to myself.
Ryder pulls out his phone and types for a few seconds and then turns the phone around so I can see the screen. “Ronan will be there tomorrow night. He’s performing.”
“Fuck, this can go so wrong …”
“Or you seal the deal.”
“She’s going to kill me.”
“All’s fair in love and war.” Ryder pours us both another drink, and we clink glasses.
“In this case, I have a feeling I’m starting a war.”
chapter twelve
ANASTASIA
“Hey, Josie. Have you seen my dad?”
“I don’t think he’s in yet, hon, but Julian’s here.”
“Oh, he is?” I say, surprised he showed up today.
We were able to secure a luncheon with Ronan today, so everyone’s been all hands on deck to get everything ready. I didn’t see Julian all weekend, and I just assumed he was hiding out, licking his wounds.
“Yeah, he’s in a meeting with Ronan Flynn,” she says, waggling her brows. “Girl, that man is even more scrumptious in person. And that voice. Forget singing. He can just talk to me all day, and I’ll be happy.”
She giggles like a schoolgirl with a crush while I try to figure out why the hell Julian is in a meeting with Ronan Flynn when the luncheon isn’t until later today.
There’s only one reason why he would be meeting with him at nine in the morning.
I stalk down the hall and knock on the door, ready to kill my fake fucking fiancé.
“Anastasia,” Julian says when he opens the door. “Perfect timing. I was just about to find you. I’d like you to meet Ronan Flynn. He’s going to be partnering with Kingston.”
“Nice to meet you,” I grit out, trying to remain professional.
“Likewise,” he says, shaking my hand. “I expect our partnership will be very fruitful on both ends.”
Julian offers to walk Ronan out to the lobby, letting me know he’ll be right back.
When he returns a few minutes later, I slow clap as he walks in and closes the door. “Congrats. You win.”
He sighs and shakes his head. “I know you’re pissed but—”
“You played dirty!” I poke him in the chest.
“I got it done.”
“You—”
A knock cuts me off, followed by my dad opening the door.
“Everything okay in here?” Dad asks, his brows furrowed in concern.
“Everything’s good,” Julian says. “Anastasia and I were just celebrating. Ronan signed. The deal’s done.”
“Wow. Good job, you two.” Dad shakes Julian’s hand and then hugs me. “Does that mean the luncheon is off?”
“Yeah,” I choke out, “it’s unnecessary.”
“Selene and I were looking forward to it, but I’m glad you guys got him to sign. And I’m proud of you for working together.” He grins wide. “This calls for a celebratory dinner. Tonight at Mario’s, seven o’clock?”
“Sounds good,” Julian says, sliding his arm across my waist while I envision reaching over and grabbing the pen off his desk and stabbing him in the shoulder with it.
Once my dad is gone, I pull away from him. “I can’t believe you went behind my back! We agreed on the luncheon!”
“No!” he barks, getting in my face. “You and your father ganged up on me.”
“You’re just pissed you didn’t get your way. A good leader is a team player.”
“A good leader does their research and gets shit done,” he argues. “I saw an opportunity and took it. And it worked. That’s why I’m the COO—because I get shit done.”
“Yet you didn’t tell my dad how you got it done. This is why he’s reluctant to hire someone single. Partying with a potential client at a club isn’t how you do business.”
“When the potential client is a musician who owns a club, it is. And before your dad went soft, he not only would’ve condoned it, but probably suggested it as well.
“You might not like it, but you’re living in a man’s world, Red, and the sooner you realize it, the quicker you’ll be put into the game. It’s not sexist. It’s facts. And if you don’t start thinking like a man, you’re going to be left sitting on the bench.”