Ambrose bows to Amelia, and I feel a jolt of something pass through me as her big, green eyes take him in. Ambrose is a good-looking guy—Italian, suave, and tanned. His dark hair is a mop of curls that flop over his eyes, and I find myself irritated that the ridiculous outfit suits him so well.
He spends more than me on his clothes, and that’s saying something.
But does she have to stare at him quite so hard?
“Ambrose Georgiou, this is my new assistant, Amelia Brooks.”
He nods to her, and her cheeks turn a little pink at the filthy once-over he gives her. My hackles rise instantly, and I nod to her.
“Thank you, you can go.”
She leaves quickly and closes the door with a quiet click. I place my coffee down, putting my hands in my pockets and facing Ambrose with an unimpressed look.
“Was that necessary?”
“What?” He asks with mock innocence. “I was just admiring that angel made flesh.”
“Do you have to be such a flirt with every woman you see?”
“Are you telling me youdon’tnotice her? Because I call bullshit, my friend. She’s exquisite. Wherever did you find her?”
I play with the idea of telling him the truth. Ambrose wouldn’t care if he knew she was part of an escort agency. He knows how hard my breakup with Megan was, and of all of my friends, he would be the first to understand that I want a no-strings arrangement.
I consider it, but then decide against it. Something about him knowing Amelia is a hired escort unsettles me.
Would he try to hire her?I frown.And why would it matter if he did?
“I’m sorry I forgot our date,” I say as Ambrose chuckles. “Were you waiting?”
“I wasn’t waiting at all. You always text to confirm, and you didn’t, so I knew you had forgotten. Are we going to Lamberts? I might indulge myself and have pancakes.”
“We can, but I have a call with Barnes at ten.”
Ambrose looks over at me sharply as he goes to sit down opposite my desk. “Is the merger still rumbling on?”
“Yes. Rumbling and raging,” I say as I go to retrieve the papers I’ll need.
I watch as his expression changes to ‘business Ambrose’. I’ve known him since we both worked in finance together as fresh-faced twenty-somethings. His ability to negotiate tricky business situations is second to none.
“What’s the issue?” he asks matter-of-factly.
“Barnes’s clinging on. He wants three years of guaranteed employment for all of his staff.”
“Is he crazy?”
“Far from it. He’s got a loyal group, and he doesn’t want to sell to someone who’ll gut his employees.”
“Alright, I’ll rephrase the question. Does he understand the concept of amerger?”
“That’s what I’ve asked him, in so many words, but he won’t budge.”
“So work your magic. Offer something else he wants. He can’t expect zero layoffs. Questa è follia.”
“Mm. Madness indeed. But at the moment, I can’t see how we’ll get past it. I’ve offered everything I am prepared to. He is not compromising.”
“You’ll find a way to smooth the waters, old boy. You always do. And if you need me to take Barnes Enterprises off your hands, you know I will. That thing is a money pit. I bet I can have him lapping out of my palm before the day is out.”
“Don’t you dare. I’d hate to have to challenge you to pistols at dawn.”
