He’s melting under her smile. Aaron—who can send even the most hardened corporate bosses into a panic attack just by sending them an unexpected email, who can crush an entire industry with just a stroke of a pen—is going completely soft because of her smile.
“Rumor has it that you’re the lynchpin in this port contract,” he says.
“You’re too funny!” Her fingers briefly touch his arm. “I don’t know about that.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. Salinger is currently thanking his lucky stars that you’re here.”
Mandy gives me an incredulous look.
Aaron’s gaze doesn’t leave her.
At that moment, I resolve that I will burn down Van de Berg Insurance before I let him so much as buy her a drink.
Pepper has rematerialized to sit on my shoes.
“Mandy, your dog.”
“Look, they’re multiplying.” Aaron’s voice is dry as a second corgi joins Pepper at my feet.
“Hi, Matcha!” Mandy bends down to pet Claire’s dog, giving me, Aaron, and everyone else an unadulterated view down the front of her dress.
I move to block Aaron’s view.
He gives me an assessing look.
“Of course they’re early,” Isaacs says. “And Mandy, wonderful to see you again.”
My assistant stands up to greet Isaacs.
He ignores her outstretched hand and leans in to give her a noisy kiss on the cheek. “You look smashing.” His gaze roams over her appreciatively—the ample chest, the belt at her cinched waist.
“It’s fun to get out,” she says. “All Salinger does is work.”
“That’s what I was saying.”
Holy shit, Aaron mouths, finally wising up on the lie Mandy and I are weaving.
I elbow him sharply.
Isaacs is introducing the other Pacific Horizons VPs and executives. The hostess leads us to a large table. I’m starting to relax. This evening is going to be killer.
Then the conversation stops. A blanket of apprehension stifles the executives who were only a moment before enthusiastic and cheery. Almost comically, they all turn around in unison.
A stern-looking woman with a silvering bob looks down her nose at the scene. She slowly takes off her sunglasses.
Isaacs seems like he wants to hide under a table. “Linda, I didn’t…”
“What, know I was coming?” she asks. “Yes, you did try to hide this meeting.”
“It’s not a meeting, just a bit of a casual get-together.” Isaacs twists his hands.
Several of the other higher-ups at Pacific Horizons huddle in the booth as Linda’s icy gaze passes over them to land on yours truly.
Her mouth turns down like she’s eaten something distasteful. I resist the urge to cover my balls.
“Of course, my ex-husband has decidedyouare his new best friend.” There’s a decade of anger and bitterness in that “you.”
Her attention shifts to Aaron.
