“There’s something different about you,” Rue accused, coming close and inhaling.
It was a struggle to keep it light and not back away. “Yep, I’m not as clever as you to get my PA to do the donkey work. And if we’re gonna talk about there being ‘something different’ going on, we should talk about you and—”
Rue held up his hand as if defending himself. “Low blow, bro, but I’ll take the hint, mind my own business. Shall we get on with why I’m here?”
Kari made no more mention of calling Bowie. He didn’t want Rue anywhere near him, saying shit about his scent. Bowie had no poker face at all.
“Let’s. I’ve several campaign boards in the boardroom. Wanna take a look and give me an idea of the direction you have in mind?” Kari rose when Rue did.
“Can do. I’m after something ethereal in design. ‘Sink into the sumptuousness of the fabric’ type mood. It will go with the new summer designs.”
Kari walked alongside Rue, nodding. “There are two ad companies that have that vibe around most of their campaigns.”
“Great, having choices would be good.”
He grinned at Rue as they entered the empty boardroom. “And being on the ball like this means Jup won’t be able to hog all the talent for next year's fashion show before everyone else.”
“That’s a side benefit I can appreciate.” Rue chuckled, going to the large table where Kari had asked for the campaign boards to be left when he’d headed off to the ranch.
This was his first time seeing them, and Kari was impressed by what he could see on initial examination.
Rue and Kari pointed at the middle board. It had all the components Rue was after.
“That,” Rue said excitedly.
“This,” Kari muttered, then grinned at Rue. “Looks like that was easy.”
“If only everything was like that.”
Kari turned his attention to Rue, convinced he wasn’t talking about anything work related by the way he spoke.
“You know I’ll listen and not judge if you wanna share.” Rue had often kept his own counsel, but Kari offered anyway.
Rue was tight-lipped about what he was up to while they were at the ranch, but from what he’d gleaned from Bowie, Rue was involved with not only Monty but an alpha who worked at Ranch-Down, the bar in Bayfield. Kari had his own stuff going on, so he had kept his mouth shut when his brothers were moaning when Rue didn’t show one morning on the ranch.
“It’s all good—kind of. Just got a lot on my mind… the situation is personal and complicated.” He sighed heavily, frowning even as he rejected talking about what was evidently onhis mind. “But thanks for the offer. If I need it, I’ll come back to you.”
“Anytime.” Kari slung his arm around him and gave him a half body hug. “And I mean that.”
“I know.” They shared a moment; Rue hugged him back and then shrugged him off looking flushed. “Right, let’s get the ball rolling. Which ad agency is this?”
Kari chuckled at the speed at which Rue changed the topic. “I need to check so let's head back to my office.”
Once he’d had a word with Kodi, he was going to call Bowie back into his office with the excuse of getting him to help with the emails. The idea buoyed his mood.
“You keep grinning like that, people will think you’re high on something.”
He glanced at Rue, widening his smile. “I am,”—Love—“Life.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Delicious & Vicious
Monty:I have something to share…
Frey:You’re moving permanently to Bayfield!
Monty:What the heck? How do you know that… no, forget I asked. Booker!
