Conflict of Interest - By Allyson Lindt Page 0,10

like happily-ever-after to the press, if that’s what’s required.”

Scott blinked. He hadn’t been expecting that. She didn’t mean him and her, right? Talk about conflict of interest. His eyes never left Kenzie’s. “Good to know, but not what we’re looking for. I’m sure you saw that when you prepped, and I can tell you’re well-prepared.”

A hint of pink crept over her face, and her cheeks relaxed, smile becoming more genuine.

So the person he remembered was still in there under the ice. The right compliment could win the professional her over. “Let’s try this again. What can your company do for us? What, out of this vast sea of boredom that is destined to be the rest of my day, do you bring to the table that no one else does?”

“Me.” There was no hesitation in her reply.

Good point. She was exactly what he wanted.

“Excuse us.” Zach grabbed Scott by the arm and yanked him into the hallway. “What’s the deal with her?”

“We like the same kind of coffee.”

Zach shook his head and tugged on the door, latching it shut. “Did you meet her at The Roasting Company or something?”

“Yup.” Scott let more of the memories tickle his thoughts. “But that’s not the point. It doesn’t matter that she’s hot. Whatever happened was two days ago and completely irrelevant.”

“So something did happen. That’s why she’s been half glaring at you, half swooning, since she walked in.”

Had she been swooning? Scott grinned. “Maybe.”

Zach exhaled loudly and rolled his eyes. “Swear to me you won’t use whatever it was as an excuse to make this entire thing not work.”

Scott was tired of the badgering. Not that he had any intention of cooperating with anyone they brought on. “You’re not honestly thinking of hiring her, are you?”

Zach smirked. “She’s exactly what you need.”

Scott bit back a growl. “I almost slept with her.”

“Almost isn’t worth anything. You’ll find an excuse for every single person we bring in. At least her, you talk to. She came highly recommended, and it’s obvious she’s good at what she does.”

Scott rolled his eyes, but he wasn’t as disappointed as he expected to be. At least she’d be a fun distraction, and maybe he could get her to forget work long enough to finish what they started. He kept his creeping excitement from his voice. “Fine.”

Zach was already heading back down the hall. “Let her know. I’ll cancel the other appointments. We’ve got better things to do.”

Scott couldn’t hide his pleasure as he slipped back into the room and took the seat across from Kenzie. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem.” Her demeanor didn’t give anything away.

That sucked; he was going to have to change that. Professional and prepared was one thing, but unyielding was completely unacceptable. Maybe acknowledging the elephant in the room would help. Besides, if he couldn’t make her smile genuine… He wanted to see that flush again.

He leaned in, hands clasped and resting on the table, and voice low but distinct. “Saturday was killer, and I’m sorry I had to cut things short.”

Her brow creased, voice flat. “Of course.”

So much for breaking the ice. He leaned back. “I see. Am I the only one who enjoyed myself?”

A waver disrupted her stern tone. “Mr. McAllister—”

“Scott,” he corrected her.

She barely paused. “As far as this presentation is concerned, those two people in that coffee shop are not the same as the two people sitting here. Or at least one of them isn’t. If you’re not interested in my services—my publicity experience—then I’m not sure why you’re wasting my time.”

Still not afraid to speak her mind. Still absolutely intriguing. “I never said I wasn’t interested.”

“No, but your demeanor through the entire meeting did. I’m not surprised you’re looking for outside help, but you’re going to have to be ready to change before it will do you any good.”

There was nothing to change, but the conversation would be over if he told her that, and he wasn’t ready for it to end. “And you’re the person who could help me do that if I were to admit I had a problem?”

“I could be. As long as you understand if anyone were to think you hired me because of what may or may not have happened between those two people who weren’t us, it would devastate my career. I’m not interested in that.”

Wow she was tough. That was sexy. And mildly irritating. “So no kissing and telling. I can do that.”

“You’ve already told your business partner.”

He glanced behind him at the closed door.