Page 31 of Negotiation Tactics
I don’t want to hear any more of this. “I’ll be there at six. See you then.”
I hang up, annoyed at him. He always does this, ignoring what I have to say or what I feel. I wish he’d stop, even if I know it’s very difficult for people his age to change.
The day was going relatively well too… Sigh. I really didn’t need this kind of news. But there’s nothing I can do and no punching bags anywhere in the vicinity, so I clench my hands and make it back to the table.
Josh looks me over as I sit down and offers me a terse smile. “Is everything okay?” he asks, trying to keep his voice casual, steady, but I catch a note of repressed worry.
Unbelievable. I’m still technically his enemy, yet he’s worried about what my dad said to me.
“Okay, I’ll speak to the commission,” I blurt out, not even aware I’ve said it until it’s too late.
“You will?”
I nod. I guess I will now, even if my stomach and pulse are both protesting this impulsive decision. Dad won’t like this one bit, but I can make it work. I will. The commission will still need to go through the terms, and they will likely want to shoot them down immediately, but I’ll just ask them to wait until they have spoken to Josh.
“I’ll get you your meeting with the commission and… I should be able to freeze the pay cuts until then.”
Oh fuck, did I just say that?Can I really do it? Jesus, Alistair, stop and think before you start promising shit, will you?
But then, I don’t really regret it as I drink Josh in. He’s taken aback. Buzzing. Not sure what to say or think. I don’tblame him. My announcement is just as shocking to me as it is to him, but after what dad just told me, I’m not exactly in the best state of mind. I’m not thinking clearly, I want to get back at Lewis Devon for always ignoring what I want. Plus, I am sure I’d have eventually agreed to help Josh after that kiss anyway… or at least I tell myself I would have.
“Okay, that… would be great, Alistair.”
Did he just use my first name? I’m done for. This is the end. Anything Josh asked me for right now, I’d agree to, no questions asked. He’s broken my brain.
When I say nothing and just stare at him while channeling all the self-control I have so I don’t jump him, bend him over the table and make him scream from how good my cock feels inside him, he stands and shoots me a small, but excruciatingly charming smile.
“Then, uh”—he hooks a finger over his shoulder—“thanks for today.”
“Wait.” I grab his wrist just as he passes me, forcing him to a halt. “There’s a party. This weekend. At my place?” He raises an eyebrow, confused. I am too, because there isnoparty. But fuck it, I guess there is one now. “Yeah, at my place. Eight p.m. Lots of fancy desserts. You should stop by.”
He scowls, thinking for a couple long moments. I fear he will turn me down. I need himnot to turn me down, because I want to see him again. Because he makes me feel things and have fun and believe that I can tackle anything the world throws at me. That I can prove to my dad and everyone that I am capable and ready. It’s a feeling I haven’t experienced in a long time.
“There will be a ten-feet chocolate fountain, too,” I add, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively. Josh seemed very appreciative of the chocolate at the Gala, so how hard canit be to get such a fountain delivered in four days on short notice? But also, let’s ignore for the moment the ridiculousness of asking him out without asking him out. We’ll chuck it under ulterior motives. “And costumes. It’s for Brady’s dog. Jaime.” Brady doesn’t have a dog, I smack myself internally. He has a snake. “He’s turning four. And it’s not a dog, it’s a snake.”
“Hold on a second.” He rubs his forehead, suspicious. “You’re throwing your friend’s pet snake a birthday dress-up party and want to invite me even though I’m fighting your company on the pay cuts you plan to do?”
Good point, it sounds even more ridiculous than it did in my head. “Okay, no costumes. I’ll… remove that requirement. But, if youdo wantto wear a costume, you are free to.” I don’t address the second part of his comment, allowing my brain to conveniently ignore it. Besides, it’s just a party, so I mean, how bad could it be to have your multibillion company’s enemy there?
Josh turns contemplative again, and I figuratively smack my head. I should’ve thought this through a tiny bit more before I spat it out. At least I should have streamlined the details.
I open my mouth, not knowing what will even come out, because I really don’t want him to turn me down. I just know that I need to see him again or I might seriously go insane.
Before I’ve actually said anything, he rushes out, “Okay.”
“It will be awesome, live music too. And a fireworks sh—” My brain catches up to what he just said and cuts me off. “Okay?” I parrot back like a dumbass.
“Yes, I’ll come. Chocolate fountain and a snake pet sounds fun.” He smiles, tilting his chin at my hand which is stillholding his wrist. “But maybe let me go already? I’ve got work to do, so I need to go.”
I let go and run my fingers through my slicked-back hair. His eyes follow the movement. “Yes, of course. I can drop you off.”
“No, that’s… fine. I could use the walk. It’s good for digestion. And, uh… send me the address?”
“I don’t have your number,” I bark out, pulling out my phone so quickly, I almost drop it. “Give it to me.”
A slow, conceited smirk stretches his lips. I immediately know exactly what’s going through his head. “Sure, I can call the reception and leave it with Shelly, but I’d rather just text it to you. Skipping the middleman and all that.”
Still smiling, he snatches the device from me and types his number in, saving it under Joshua Anderson, Workers First Union Rep. “Ah yes, we are all for efficiency nowadays, aren’t we?” he leaves me with.
