‘So, spill. Is the reason for this call something to do with McKenzie?’
‘What makes you think that?’ she asked, a little taken aback at her friend’s perception.
‘Because you’ve never talked about a client as much as you talk about that guy. I’m actually starting to feel a little jealous.’
‘That’s because I was having such a hard time getting a handle on him,’ she argued. ‘He was a kind of an enigma at first.’
‘Huh. Still getting the sense that this guy isn’t just another client though, is he?’
Hannah opened her mouth to protest but then closed it,frowning. ‘Honestly, I’m not entirely sure how to feel. He kind of still is an enigma. Tries so hard to keep up this tough guy act. But when I’m with him and he lets his guard down, he’s so different.’
Zoe let out a little laugh. ‘Welcome to the world of men. Most would rather cut their right arm off than admit they have feelings or any sort of vulnerability. I don’t know if it’s an evolutionary thing, or if they’re just plain stupid – or maybe a combination of both.’
Yet again harking back to one of Ed’s ‘classic truths’, Hannah shook her head. ‘I know Ward certainly isn’t stupid. But he has put me in somewhat of a bind now … ’ She went on to recount how he had suggestedsheaccompany him to the upcoming event at the Plaza.
Back in her office, she honestly hadn’t been sure how to answer, and then he got embarrassed and uncomfortable and so to prevent things getting awkward, she’d agreed, despite every cell in her body worrying about history repeating.
‘Stop. Don’t even mention that worm’s name in my presence,’ Zoe rebuked when she told her this.
She laughed. ‘You’re not here though.’
‘Doesn’t matter. Look, my experience with men is a little bit deeper than yours and I could always spot the ones who aren’t worth it a mile away. Kendrick was never a keeper. Problem is, from what you’ve been telling me, the jury’s still out on McKenzie. I think you need to figure out which side of the guy is the real deal – the one you’ve moulded him into, or the embarrassing loser the world used to know. Regardless, a night at the Plaza sounds like fun, so ignore me. And what makes you think it would be awkward?’
Hannah exhaled. ‘Well, I didn’t say anything at the time, but awhile back, when I was still trying to get him to trust me, we had this … moment.’
‘What kind ofmoment?’
‘It was around that time I got those texts from Rob, so I was out of sorts and I kind of took it out on Ward one day, and got angry with him. And even though he’s a world renowned hothead, he backed down—’
‘Well of course he did,’ her friend interjected. ‘I too made that mistake at first, underestimating you as a mere gust of wind, when in reality once something gets you going you’re one helluva tornado.’
Hannah laughed, not sure she’d quite agree with that description, especially when she made a point of rarely flipping her lid.
‘And then … well, things felt a bit … heated and I know it’s crazy but at one point, I honestly thought he was going to kiss me.’
‘And why would it be crazy if he did? Especially if things were, as you sayheated.’
‘What? He’s a client, Zoe. You should know better than anyone that I can’t go there.’
Her friend groaned. ‘You know, I wish I had your kind of professional dilemma just once. Heat isgood! Most of my clients are old enough to have taken Cleopatra to the Egyptian prom. And you’re complaining thatWard McKenzie wants to take you to the Plaza.’
‘I’m not complaining. I’m just not sure if it’s the best idea that’s all. I mean I’ll go – in a professional capacity obviously,’ she stressed for Zoe’s benefit. ‘But there’s no way I’m going to endanger my job or our client relationship because of my personal feelings.’
‘Aha, I knew it! Didn’t you just hear what you said? So that means youdohave the hots for McKenzie. Here’s what I think,Cinderella: go to the ball and watch with pride as your client enjoys his moment in the sun being welcomed back to the Panthers. McKenzie’s happy, the New York office is thrilled with a job well done etc. Then, you can drop the account and – safe in the knowledge that there’s no longer a conflict of interest – you’re free and easy to jump the wildcat’s bones and live happily ever after. The End.’
Chapter 40
WARD
Ward ran the vacuum cleaner over the same spot on the carpet for the fifth time and finally just got down on his hands and knees and picked up the small furball that must’ve been Pretzel’s.
Great. What was the point of having an expensive machine that couldn’t even pick up a small piece of debris? He had half a mind to demand his money back and then remembered that he’d been paid to promo this thing and had actually got it for free. It bothered him that his name was being used to promote an obviously defective piece of equipment that people were going to pay their hard-earned money for, but Hannah had arranged this plus a whole other selection of endorsements, so he had to pretend it was the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Man, was he tired of pretending. He couldn’t wait for all this bullshit PR stuff to end so that he could go back to the way things used to be. He seriously hoped that next week’s event would in fact be the end of it and he was being welcomed back to the team in a blaze of glory.
But despite Hannah’s optimism, Ward had a feeling that things weren’t that simple. She didn’t know Craig Sumners like he did. If the team owner wanted Ward back on the team, he didn’t have to make a big public song and dance about it. There was more to this,he was certain of it. Which was probably why he’d come right out and asked Hannah to go along with him on the night.
As backup.
