Teddy Spenser Isn't Looking for Love - Kim Fielding Page 0,85
willing to keep our own job at the other’s expense. I’m sure Lauren will find someone to replace us so the project can be completed.” He let out a heavy breath. “So I guess we’ll go clean out our desks now.”
He started to stand, but Joyce waved him down. “Wait, please. I need to explain something. I realize my methodology is unconventional at best, but it always has been. That’s what has brought me success. And I’m old and attached to my ways.”
“We’re not arguing with you. I mean, you’re wrong about us, but...” Teddy shrugged. “It’s your money.”
“But you didn’t let me finish my explanation. I told you there were three tests for the three characteristics I believe are important for success in this endeavor. But darling, I lied.”
Teddy and Romeo exchanged confused glances and then looked at Lauren for guidance, but she appeared to be as much in the dark as they were. “You lied?” she said, wide-eyed.
“There were actually four characteristics. Fortitude, intelligence, creativity...and loyalty. The results were somewhat mixed with respect to the first three, although honestly not so very awful given the oddness of the tasks. But when it comes to the final trait, you’ve both shone so very brightly! You’re loyal not only to each other—understandable if you’re in love—but also to Lauren and your other colleagues. Well done!”
Teddy hung tenuously between astonishment and anger. Perhaps luckily, he was too busy gaping to get any words out, and Romeo spoke first, his voice even.
“Please explain what you mean.”
“I mean that I am prepared to offer my financial support, as promised. And that I’d be most pleased if both of you remain with Reddyflora.”
Teddy spent several seconds blinking owlishly. When he finally glanced around, Romeo appeared equally gobsmacked and Lauren had her hand over her mouth. He tried to say something, then realized he didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what he thought. He had no idea what to do next.
Romeo saved him by jumping to his feet and hauling Teddy up too. “We need a few minutes to talk,” he announced. Without waiting for either woman to respond, he pulled Teddy out of the office and closed the door behind him. They went to Romeo’s office; he closed that door as well.
“Can they hear us in here?” Teddy asked. Yay, he’d managed words!
“Only if we shout.”
That made sense. The bathroom and a storage closet separated the two offices. And Teddy had no intention of shouting. In fact, he was feeling kind of hollowed out, and he suddenly collapsed into Romeo’s guest chair with a sigh. “She played us.”
Instead of taking his own seat, Romeo moved behind Teddy, setting hands on his shoulders and pulling Teddy against him. “News flash. That’s what rich people do.”
“I guess.”
“I don’t think Lauren was in on it, do you?”
Teddy shook his head. Lauren had her faults, but she was generally straightforward, and she treated her employees fairly. Besides, she’d looked as surprised as Teddy and Romeo.
Romeo was now giving Teddy a scalp massage—another talent discovered. It was going to mess up Teddy’s hair, but since it felt like heaven, he just closed his eyes and enjoyed. God, he loved Romeo’s hands.
“What do you want to do?” Teddy finally said.
“Dunno.”
“’Cause I think we need to reach a mutual decision. I’m not doing anything that makes you unhappy.”
“Ditto.” Romeo paused his movements, but when Teddy elbowed him gently, he huffed a laugh and continued. “Let’s talk this through. Use logic.”
“Okay, Mr. Spock.”
“What Joyce did to us was crappy. I don’t think she meant it to be, but I guess...some people reach a point where they sorta forget they’re dealing with people and not cogs in a machine.”
Teddy could see that. Getting so wrapped up in your own affairs and so certain of your convictions that you can’t see past your own blinders. He’d been there himself less than two weeks earlier, although he hadn’t manipulated others in that state. He’d only manipulated himself—and badly misjudged Romeo. “Okay. Crappy but not evil.”
“And when you think of it, she did us a favor. If she hadn’t dragged us out to Seattle and made us do her dumb tests, would we have ever gotten to really know each other?”
“No,” Teddy replied softly, shuddering at the thought. He’d come so close to missing out on Romeo. So close to never finding True Love.
Romeo gave him a soothing pat. “Her methodology and our personal outcomes aside, what do we want out of this? We can