The room remained quiet. Sebastian had stopped clenching his teeth, but he tapped the end of his pen on his notepad in a slow, steady rhythm. I couldn’t tell if he was more pissed or pensive, but I’d ripped off the Band-Aid and now the healing couldbegin.
Justin broke the silence. “A lot of that is overblown,” he said. “There wasoneaccident several years ago, and it wasn’teven—”
“I never said that thing about the turd,” Sebastian said. “At least not like that. I was trying to be clever, and she twisted mywords.”
“You know the source?” Iasked.
“She’s a woman I . . .” He glanced at Justin forhelp.
“I see.” Considering I’d been aware of Sebastian’s playboy reputation, it came as no surprise that he’d scorned some women along the way. I’d seen firsthand how easy it would be to fall under his spell. I wanted Sebastian to know I wasn’t there to tiptoe around his bad rap. “You fucked her, so she fucked youback.”
A few of the guys, including Sebastian, widened their eyes. “Jesus, no,” he insisted. “After the conversation she was referring to, she assumed she was leaving the party with me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I had to be blunt with her, and she didn’t take itwell.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of that. Did Sebastian see himself as such a catch that he was turning away women left and right? And could I really challenge that, considering his magnetism had left me nearly speechless earlier? I wouldn’t blame Sebastian for fibbing to cover his ass, but that wouldn’t get us anywhere. “Much like a lawyer,” I said gently, “I need honesty so I can anticipate any incomingproblems.”
“What I just told you is the truth,” hesaid.
“Well, to the public, truth doesn’t matter,” I said. “I’ll also need to be made aware of any interoffice, ah, relations.” It wasn’t the first time I’d made that request of clients, so why was I fighting off the blush creeping up my neck? Because it was the first time my personal interest overcame my professional one. I’d soon know whether Sebastian and June were more than coffeebuddies.
“There are no relations,” Justin said with a sigh. “Believe me, I’d know. The gossip around here is slower than Garth’s comprehension on a goodday.”
“He’s right,” Vance said. “Fraternization has been strictly forbidden since Dixon Media had some problems at another publication.” Vance quickly added, “But never thisone.”
“So I was right,” Sebastian said. “You’re more or less here to babysitus.”
“Don’t be babies, and I won’t have to,” Ireplied.
Vance applauded. He’d heard some of this over the phone already, at least what I’d been able to pull together in such a short amount of time, but he still seemed impressed. A few joined in, and others looked to Sebastian for direction. He was definitely more than a boss to these guys. It irked me that he scowled. My presentation had been short, sweet, and backed by numbers—men appreciated that. There was no denying I’d made my point. Why wasn’t he applauding? Because he didn’t, others refrained aswell.
“We’ll do whatever we can to accommodate you, Miss Keller,” Vancesaid.
I smiled out at the men, and a few smiled back. Progress. “Call me George,” I said, addressing them all. “Except for you,” I said to Sebastian when I caught him looking at my chest. I adjusted my neckline. “While I’m brandishing the whip, Miss Keller will befine.”
More laughing, and this time, Boris slapped Sebastian on the back. “Lighten up,Q.”
Vance stood. “Thanks,George—”
“What’s with the tank top?” Sebastian asked, shrugging Boris off. A smirk touched his face as he added, “Not exactly appropriate office attire.” He settled back and stuck an ankle over oneknee.
Even though I’d questioned my outfit earlier, the fact that Sebastian thought he had me made me want to do the opposite of shy away. So I went with it and addressed the room. “Someone spilled coffee on me thismorning.”
“No way,” Garth said. “Are you allright?”
“Fortunately, it was iced.” I caught the end of Justin’s glance across the table. “The nearest store with clothing only had souvenirs,” I continued, “so I was forced to improvise. But that’s okay, because instead of telling you this next very important detail about myself, I can just showyou.”
A few men shifted in their seats as I slowly unbuttoned my blazer. Sebastian wore an unreadable expression but watched me, twisting his pen cap between his fingertips. I opened my jacket and stuck my hands on my waist to show off the logo printed across the front of the top. “I don’t want there to be any doubt—I’m a Yanks girl through and through. I work fine with Mets fans, but that doesn’t mean I’ve got to likethem.”
“Yankees man right here,” Boris said, jumping up from his seat for a highfive.
“You talking crap about my team?” Garth grinned and dangled a Metskeychain.
“I just want you all to know where I stand. Transparency is important to me,” I said, returning his smile. “We’ll save the real shit-talking for happyhour.”
“There’s an idea,” Vance said, lighting up and turning to me. “The guys always go for a drink at the end of the week. Why don’t you jointhem?”
I hesitated. While work-social events such as mixers, dinner meetings, and conferences were George’s arena, happy hour could potentially veer into personal territory. I didn’t think I could successfully make the transition from work to play, so I never tried if I could help it. “Maybe some other time,” Isaid.
I shifted feet, and Sebastian gave me a once-over. “Got better plans?” heasked.
