How to Marry Your Frenemy - London Casey Page 0,30
man’s body? Please. You’re all just tools. Replaceable by something with batteries. So don’t get too cocky over there, Jackson.”
Vince slapped the table. “This is why I can’t lose you two. Ever. You’re my rock stars. And it’s why I need to talk about something.”
“Like what?” Jackson asked.
Vince folded his hands and leaned against the table. “I think we should talk about your bonus.”
“A bonus?” I asked.
Vince nodded. “I’ve been keeping an eye on things. This deal is a big one. You two together are what the company needs. The fighting and pressure is just perfect.”
“Meaning what?” Jackson asked. “Someone has to rise up, Vince.”
“He already knows it’s going to be me,” I said. “He just needs to find a way to let his nephew down gently.”
I was saying things that the drinks allowed me to say.
But we were all drunk.
“I like Callie’s idea,” Vince said.
“You do?” I asked.
“What the hell does that mean, Vince?” Jackson asked.
“About leaving here. Let’s get out of here. We can go somewhere else.”
“Talk in quiet,” I said.
“No,” Vince said. “We’ll talk here first. How does the number one sound?”
“One?” Jackson asked.
“With some zeros behind it…”
“How many?” I asked with a sly grin.
Vince winked at me. “I maybe have stumbled across a cool million.”
“A million dollars?” I asked.
“Fuck,” Jackson said. “That’s the bonus?”
Vince nodded. “You two are the best I’ve got. I can’t lose you. Either of you. I refuse to let that happen.”
“So you’re paying us to put up with each other?” I asked.
“Not quite,” Vince said. “Eh, maybe. You know me. I’m a risk taker. I’m a gambling kind of guy. I think of crazy ideas. So I’m just… I don’t know. I’ve been sitting here all night wondering how to give you the million.”
“Check?” Jackson asked.
Vince laughed. “Right. That would be easy.”
“That’s what we’ve earned, right?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Vince said. “You’ve earned it.”
“So what’s the hold up, Vince?” Jackson asked. “She and I argue for fun. We’re frenemies. Do you know what that is?”
Vince nodded. “I get it. You’re nice when it counts. Backstab each other when it’s profitable to be selfish. I get it.”
“And we make you a lot of money,” I said. “I’m still coming for the promotion, Vince. But the bonus I’ll gladly take. I just moved into an apartment that has me stretched way too thin. Not to mention my…”
I touched my lips.
What. The. Fuck. Callie.
I just spilled something I should have never spilled.
“Ah, you’re broke, Callie?” Jackson asked.
“Far from it,” I said. “Forget what I said. Moving is always a financial burden. Just the first month though.”
“Hey, who am I to judge?” Vince asked. “Life is tough. It’s hard to find something or someone… right?”
“What does that mean?” Jackson asked.
“You two. This thing is going to explode eventually. Either Callie is going to quit.”
“I’ll never quit,” I said.
“Or leave,” Vince said.
“Give me the promotion and I don’t have to leave.”
“Or something bad is going to happen,” Vince said. “I can see it. So allow me to stop it from happening. My way.”
“Your way,” Jackson said.
“One million dollars,” Vince said. “It’s yours. You two split it, enjoy it, maybe I’ll even throw in a little more. We’ll see how this thing goes.”
“What do you want from us?” Jackson asked.
“A partnership,” Vince said.
“What?” I asked. “Oh, wait. You want us to work together, don’t you? Like in the same office or something. Right? You want us to get along.”
“Sort of,” Vince said. “I’m thinking more along the lines of go really fucking big or go home and jerk off.”
“Vince,” Jackson said.
“Okay, okay,” he said. He showed his hands. “Here’s the plan… one million dollars.”
“In exchange for what?” I asked, getting annoyed.
Vince smiled as big as I had ever seen him smile.
“I want you two to get married… tonight.”
Chapter Fifteen
Jackson
“Married?” I asked. “Are you kidding me?”
“What’s wrong?” Callie teased. “Too afraid?”
“Not at all,” I said.
“Then it’s settled,” Vince said. “Let’s get out of here and have some fun.”
Callie started to stand.
“Wait a second,” I said.
“Cold Feet Jackson,” Callie said. “That’s your new nickname.”
I pulled myself from the booth and stood tall.
I looked down at Callie.
All around me there were beautiful women, topless - and more - but I couldn’t take my eyes off Callie.
Was she serious right now?
Was Vince serious right now too?
“Let’s get this night going,” Vince said. “I’ll settle the tab and we’ll go for a ride.”