Page 29 of Open for Negotiation
Chapter 6
Max
“You could have at least worn a suit,” I say to Jackson when he strolls into the conference room. “Making a good first impression is important.”
“Jesus, lighten the fuck up, will ya? I don’t think anyone is going to care that I’m in dress pants and a button-down instead of a suit. Not everyone has to have a stick up their ass the way you do.” He saunters toward me, hands in his pockets. “You gotta admit though, I clean up pretty well.”
“Yeah, well, I’m just happy you showered,” I joke with a grin. “All right, this shouldn’t take long. I just want to introduce you to everyone on the team, that way they can put a face to your name.” I sit at the head of the large table and motion for him to sit in the chair to my left. “Try not to scare everyone away.”
“They’ll love me, brother. Everyone does.” He smirks with his fingers laced behind his head.
****
Everyone has begun to file into the conference room and is taking their seats around the large table and in chairs that line the perimeter of the room. I try to not be obvious, of course, but I’m waiting on pins and needles for Scarlett to step through the door.
“Mr. Duke?”
My name pulls my attention and I see Garrett Barnes approaching me.
“How can I help you, Garrett?” I move to stand behind the podium that is currently housing my laptop, so I can get the slides ready and make sure the projector is connected.
“I was just going to ask you about my part of the resort project.”
“All right.” I type away on the keyboard, letting my eyes glance to the door every now and then, still waiting on Scarlett. “I didn’t think we had you on the final team. I thought we had decided you’d be aiding on something different?”
“Yeah, yeah, we did, but I just feel like I’d like the opportunity to work more closely on that project. I feel that I’d be an asset, as I worked closely with Scarlett on the presentation to get the contract.”
“You did, and she has mentioned you were invaluable, which is why your supervisor opted to use that expertise to lead a different project.”
He responds, but it drifts out of my focus when the blonde that’s been occupying my every thought enters the room.
I swear, the room just shines brighter when she’s in it. Especially when she looks the way she does right now.
She’s wearing a gray dress that hugs her curves perfectly and her hair is down in soft waves.
And those fuck-me red heels she’s wearing? Jesus Christ.
“Mr. Duke?”
I ignore the voice saying my name. All that matters is that I’d love to have those shoes around my ears as soon as possible.
“Mr. Duke?” the voice says louder, finally pulling my attention away from her, and I see Garrett, still standing there, waiting on a response to a question I didn’t even hear him ask.
“Garrett, let me finish up here today, and I’ll put you on my calendar for a one-on-one discussion about all of this at a more appropriate time.”
He sighs heavily and walks away with a nod, clearly unhappy with my response, but even if I wasn’t completely distracted, I still would not have a conversation like this right before a staff meeting.
I follow his movements across the room and, of course, he takes a seat right next to Scarlett. She looks over at him with a smile and leans in closer as he whispers something in her ear, and she laughs.
That fucker made her laugh and it makes me want to punch a hole in the wall. I’m jealous of the fact he gets to be so openly close to her. I’m jealous of the fact he can make her laugh in a room full of people when I’m being forced to remain on the other side of the table.
She laughs again at something he says, but this time, her eyes find mine. Our mutual gaze is full of everything we can’t say or do with one another here.
I give her a smile, but I’m quickly pulled away by Jackson clasping his hand on my shoulder.
“You good, man? You seem distracted.” His tone is full of accusation then he leans in so only I can hear him. “She looks pretty today. Try not to stare though. You’re really fucking obvious.”
“Just stand there and shut up,” I laugh before beginning the meeting. “All right, good morning, everyone.” They all respond with a variety of greetings, all of which seem to blend together in the tired haze of a Monday morning.
