My college nemesis. The bad boy of Ozark University. A knave among knaves.
Seven years ago, he’d nearly ruined my life until Celeste had saved me. But before I’d left the university, I’d made sure he would suffer in return.
From the stormy look on his face now, I could tell Lachlan Hayes hadn’t forgotten.
Or forgiven.
ChapterFour
OLIVIA
Flair would not be gainingthe Lachlan Hayes account.
Celeste would throw an absolute tantrum. The question was: Would Lachlan tell her it was because of me?
“Sorry I’m late.” Lachlan wore a wool stocking cap like it was December in Alaska instead of mid-September in Arkansas.
“No apologies!” Celeste rushed to his side and shooed him into a seat. Right across from me. “Welcome! Welcome!”
He eased his large body into the chair, and I instantly had a fantasy of the cardboard beneath him collapsing. The lanky college boy had sure grown. Now he was a giant of a man, with coppery red hair tied into a ponytail and shoulders so broad, he probably had to angle himself to fit through a doorway. His face showed maturity and hints of age, but his eyes still sparked with mischief. No doubt his brain remained crippled by immaturity and a compulsion for shenanigans.
Beside me Elton gaped in unadulterated reverence. “How wonderful you’ve stopped by to see us, Mr. Hayes,” he gushed. “I’m a huge fan ofMars Wars. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told myself I’m only going to play for a few minutes, and before I know it, three hours have gone by.”
“It’s a delightful product, and Mr. Hayes is a genius.” Celeste’s trio of chunky necklaces clanged as she began her ballet of movement around the table, gracefully walking as she proceeded to lay the groundwork for the needs of the account.
“Please, everyone,” the genius said in a deep baritone meant for smoky bars and late-night pillow talk, “call me Lachlan.”
I could think of a dozen other things to call him.
Of all the marketing firms, why ours? What was Lachlan doing here in my corner of the world? And why on earth would he move his company to Sugar Creek? This wasmyhome.
And what was with his outfit? Besides the ridiculous stocking capat a business meeting, he wore a pink plaid flannel shirt under a fuchsia hoodie that looked like it belonged on a high schooler. A fashion-challenged one at that. It was an odd mix of grunge and Barbie. Andstill, Lachlan Hayes bore a presence. Despite the fact he clearly rejected the idea of shaving, I could tell Lachlan’s cheekbones were chiseled, his jaw cut at ninety degrees of stunning, and his gaze, arrogant as it was, reflected intelligence and an unfiltered scrutiny.
I couldn’t stand the man.
“Nice dress,” Lachlan whispered toward me.
“Mr. Hayes,” Celeste cooed, “with such short notice of your visit, I haven’t had much time to prepare, but I did throw together a little something to bring my intrepid staff up to speed.” She clicked a remote and images popped up on the giant screen that dominated half a wall. “Lachlan Hayes createdMars Warswhen he was only twenty-one. Eight years and seven spin-offs later, his franchise is a multimillion-dollar industry. In November, Vortex Studios will release the film adaptation ofMars Wars, starring Oscar winners Naomi Chin and Eduardo Lima. It’s expected to be a huge blockbuster with a sequel already in development. And lest you think I’m done, next spring Netflix will debut this glorious man’s anime series based on his fabulous games.”
Hoo boy. Celeste was really laying it on thick. Lachlan sat in his chair, his posture that of a fatigued teenage boy, with his annoyingly striking green eyes and his falsified visage of humbleness. But I knew the truth. I knew who he really was.
My boss continued in an almost giddy voice. “Lachlan’s Star Gazer Corp. not only creates and sells the games, but they do big merchandising business as well. Last Christmas theMars Warsaction figures werethehot item.”
“You have dolls,” I whispered to him. “How cute.”
His only response was an infuriating smile.
Celeste now stood behind me, her red Halston suit totally on point, and her instincts sonot. Working with Lachlan Hayes would be a huge mistake for Flair.
“Star Gazer Corp. will soon release their nextMars Warsinstallment,Mars Wars: Zombie Edition.” Celeste spoke with a reverence reserved for museum antiquities. “And only a few weeks ago, his company went public. These many developments demand Mr. Hayes be in the media spotlight. He wants the best company to make that happen, and I’ve assured him Flair is the only choice. It’s a large commitment with multipronged action items, but nobody can do PR work better than this team right here, Mr. Hayes.”
“We would love to be here for you. Completely at your disposal.” Morgan’s vampy smile communicated to our guest she was available to do that and so much more. And she probablywouldtake point on this. She was our elder, after all. “My head is already spinning with ideas.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Morgan,” Celeste said. “We’ll need all hands on deck. Mr. Hayes, the team you see here is the best and the brightest. The most gifted and skilled in public relations. Morgan, here, is one of our lead brand strategists.”
Morgan loaded her gloating gun and fired a shot my way. “Thank you, Celeste.”
Celeste rested a ringed hand on my rigidly taut shoulder. “Our dear Olivia is also one of the best in brand management.”
