Not Just Friends (Hot in the City #3) - T. Gephart Page 0,61

should stay in Midtown and who should go across to the Meatpacking district. Maybe it’s time for you to step up and be my bar manager at the new site? I know you’re more than capable, and poor Hank doesn’t do well with change.”

I knew I was getting ahead of myself, but it was exciting to think about the future. Everything was going so right, the idea that David would be anything other than supportive, just didn’t enter my mind.

“You’d let me be the bar manager at the Meatpacking district?” Raelle’s eyes lit up, her usual cool exterior sidelined with excitement.

“Who else am I going to trust. Annnnnnd if you and Bennett are at two different sites, there really isn’t a conflict anymore is there?” I tossed out casually, pretending it wouldn’t be one hell of a sweetener.

Raelle stilled, lowering her juice and grabbing me by the shoulders. “You go into the Plaza and you fucking wow the shit out of David Cheng. You hear me. Use that big brain of yours and hypnotize him with your profit margins.”

“But no pressure, right?” I joked. “Just remember, out of all of us, I have the most to lose. He could think I’m insane for wanting another site so close, giving me my walking papers at the end of my contract.”

There was a slight possibility he wouldn’t love it, thinking I was greedy instead of ambitious, something Lorena had warned me about. And while I was confident, I also knew that nothing came with an iron clad guarantee.

“Yeah, he could totally do that. And a big fucking asteroid could come out of the sky and obliterate the planet and we all die. I’d say your chances are about the same.” She blinked, like she was actually being serious.

I hugged her, willing to take my ego boost however I could get it. “Thanks. Make sure if you see that asteroid, you give me a head’s up. I want to be naked in bed with Jared when it happens.” I winked, pulling back and giving her a smile.

My bagel was only half eaten but I didn’t bother finishing it. Instead I gathered my handbag and keys, walking Raelle out before hailing a cab.

It was nice to be feeling independent again, the fear from a couple of weeks ago almost completely gone. I knew Tibbs and Jared were still keeping an eye on things, but the whole time the police had been investigating, they’d literally found nothing. So I felt completely justified in trusting my instincts, and going it alone.

The drive to The Plaza didn’t take long, the cab driver dropping me off in front of the beautiful landmark hotel. David always stayed there, insisting on the same suite every time, and enjoying lunch in the Champagne Bar as he gazed at the Pulitzer Fountain.

I took a deep breath as I entered the glass doors, a text message from Jared reminding me he was thinking of me, the last piece of luck I needed.

It was hard not to be overwhelmed by the blatant opulence, the polished marble and the gold. But with my shoulders pushed back I walked confidently to where David was already sitting, his coffee and pastry still untouched.

“David.” I put out my hand and greeted him, watching him smile as he stood. “I hope your stay in New York has been fruitful.”

His hand grasped mine, the pleased look on his face, genuine. “Always. And even better when I see your numbers. Not sure how you turned that old warehouse into a diamond, but you’ve yet to pass the point where I’m not impressed. Please take a seat.”

“I’m glad.” I took the chair opposite him, a waiter delivering a glass of champagne I didn’t order. I assumed David had, his tendency of not wanting to be interrupted when a meeting started, prompting it.

But it was too soon to celebrate, moving the champagne flute to the side as I readied myself for our conversation.

“Before you start, Presley. I have to ask if you’re here to tender your resignation. I can tell you have some speech worked out, and if that’s what this is about, I would rather we pay each other the respect of skipping through the pretense.”

“My resignation?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise. “You just gave me a fifteen percent pay increase, why would you think I want to quit?”

“Scott Collins?” His head tilted like he was gauging my reaction. “It’s the worst-kept secret in the business. He was looking to