All of which solidify my thoughts from last night. I don’t believe Taylor has the backing that he’s boasting he does. He’s just an enraged child running around.
“Thanks, Jake. I’ll have Ryder send over the new documents when they’re ready, and I’ll see you tonight at the fundraiser.”
Jake tips his hat towards me with a chuckle as I walk back to the SUV and climb in. Thomas has the heat blasting, which is nice since I forgot to bring gloves. I hold my hands up to the vents as he turns us around to head back to the city.
My phone starts buzzing on the seat next to me. I glance at the screen before I answer it. “Ryder?”
“Well, did you get the contract?” he asks.
“Yes. It was never an issue, but he does want to expand some. I have more details that I’ll type up in an email, so you can draft a new contract. He is going to need new designs once our designer starts.”
I can hear him plop onto a leather couch. “Great news. Except, we don’t have a designer yet. I hope you didn’t give him a deadline anytime soon.”
“I told him a couple weeks and we would have it.”
“You did what!” A loud thud comes through thephone. I grimace as he keeps yelling. “Fuck! Shit! What the hell? How are we going to find someone that’s actually good, hire them, and get them to produce designs ready to see in a couple weeks? Are you insane? Motherfucker, I spilled coffee all over myself and the couch. You can’t come at me with this kind of news when I’m not prepared.” Ryder takes a breath. I can hear running water in the background.
“Stop being so stressed,” I tell him. “I have everything under control. I just need you to make a new contract for Jake. I’ll be back this afternoon. I need to stop at Collins and Sons before I come to the office.” Thomas is chuckling to himself up front. No doubt he hears Ryder yelling through the phone.
“Yeah, right. Easy for you to say with all of your secrets. I’m going to have an aneurysm. I have to go home and change, I look ridiculous.” Ryder huffs. “You should probably hire a cleaner for your office. Coffee is all over your couch. It’s a mess. But it’s also your fault.”
I rub my temples. “Jesus, Ryder. Just ask Stacy to call one in. I’m kind of busy taking care of our other problems.”
“Yeah, yeah. Fine. How was your night with Alex? I’m really bummed about poker night. Can we do it tonight instead?” he whines.
“If I get all of this figured out, then maybe.” I regret the words as soon as they exit my mouth.
“Great! I’ll set it up. Bye!” He clicks off the line before I can say anything else. I sigh and set myphone back on the seat.He’s going to be the death of me.I pull up my email and go through the numerous updates from other clients during the rest of the drive.
I’m almost through my backlog of emails when Thomas clears his throat. “We have arrived at Collins and Sons.”
I look out the window, and sure enough, we made it back. I rub a hand over my face. This is why I need a driver. It saves me so much time when I can continue to work while going places. I don’t have to waste hours behind the wheel.
I grab my briefcase with my backup documents in the case Collinsis,in fact, in on Taylor’s scheme. I walk through the front door and lock eyes on the blonde receptionist. I quickly scan her desk in search of a name plate before I reach her. “Celest! I’m so sorry to interrupt your afternoon, but I need to speak with Mr. Collins.”
She blinks up at me, clearly trying to figure out how I know her name, and if we know each other already. “Of course. Let me check his schedule … What was your name again?”
I smirk. “James. James Edward.”
Her face turns white with realization. I guess she has heard of me. Good. After a stunned moment, her head swivels back to her computer as she hazardously types and clicks around. “Umm. Just a minute. Let me see what he has planned.”
“I could just go up there and check for myself. I’msure he wouldn’t mind.” I take a step to the side, and her hands shoots out at me.
“No no no. I’ll just call up to him. One moment please.” She picks up the phone and swivels her chair away from me. The moment he picks up, she whispers into the phone as fast as she can, peeking over her shoulder to ensure I haven’t bolted for the elevator. I would never do that to her, but she doesn’t need to know that.
I smile every time she looks back at me, which causes her to talk faster.
“Okay. I’ll send him up.” Celest gently sets the phone on the cradle and looks up at me. “Mr. Collins will see you now. His office is on the fifth floor, the corner suite.”
I rap my knuckles on the desk. “Thank you, Celest. You’ve been amazing.”
I make my way through security to the elevators as Taylor slams the main door open. It rattles against the wall but stays intact. I wave my fingers at him as I hit the button for the fifth floor.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Taylor rushes across the lobby after me, but security stops him.
Celest stands up from her chair. “Taylor, you need to leave.”
Taylor tries to push through the large muscle man they have for security, but he doesn’t budge. “He can’t go up there!… He…” The elevator doors click shut and gentle music starts playing as it travels me up towards the top floor.
