door. “We’ll go have lunch, hammer out the details, and put them all in a contract. You tell me what your walk-away terms are and I’ll present them to my business partner.”
“You have a business partner?” she asks.
“Why the surprise? Don’t you think I’m easygoing and nice to work with?”
“I think you’re high handed and presumptuous,” she retorts. I stick the laundry basket in the backseat of my pickup and open the passenger door for her.
“But I can also be easygoing and nice to work with. You’ll see.” I close the door before she can voice any complaints. As I’m making my way to the driver’s side, I give Beck a call.
“Good news, old man,” I say cheerily into the phone.
“Oh no. Not this I can’t wait to tell you what idea I cooked up tone of voice. How much is this going to cost me?”
“It’s all good, my friend. I’ve got a great plan that might seem scary at first, but once you plunge into the deep end, you’ll immediately recognize how great it is.”
“I’m really worried now.”
“Have I ever steered you wrong?” I pull open the driver’s side and climb in. Pepper raises an eyebrow and I give her a wink in return.
“Yes, many times, but since we’re partners, I guess I’m going to have to live with it.”
“That’s the spirit. But in all seriousness, this plan of mine involves you getting closer to Marist.”
Beck goes silent for a half beat and then, “The checkbook is yours.”
I huff out a laugh. “I knew you would see it my way.” I hang up and turn to Pepper. “My partner is on board and all you have to do is sign.”
4
Pepper
What am I doing? It’s not until Abel is pulling away from the curb that I realize how easily I agreed to go with this man. I hopped into his truck as if it were no big deal. As though we had been friends for years instead of him being a complete stranger. In my defense, he all but pushed his way into my apartment, where he then poked around and demanded I pack. For all I know he might not actually be who he claims to be. He did know who Chad was, though.
I glance over at him. He gives me a wink that’s all too sexy. I didn't know winks could be sexy. Everything about him is, though. He’s got that whole rugged thing going on, but he’s put together too. I reach up, running my hand through my hair suddenly wondering what I look like.
“If you’re thinking about killing me I’ll have you know I have a boyfriend. Who is big, mind you. Like really big. MMFA fighter big.”
“MMFA?”
“That’s what I said.” His lips twitch like he’s trying to not laugh. “Like I was saying, he’s big and scary and totally obsessed with me so he tracks my location.” I hold up my phone.
“Can’t say that I blame him.” I nod.
“I’m glad we got that all cleared up. So your plans of murder are dead in the water.” Now I sound like the crazy one.
“Okay. Lunch and then we’ll get that contract signed.”
“I suppose.” I fold my arms over my chest. If this is really a job interview I’m failing miserably. It’s also the weirdest job interview ever. He pulls into a parking lot, finding a space. I look around, wondering where we are.
“My offices.” He points to the four-story building. He hops out, coming around the truck to open the door for me. I hop down.
“I’m not sure I’m dressed for an interview or whatever this is.”
“A date? We are having lunch.”
“No, I’m not dressed for a date either.” I’m in flip flops, shorts, and my old high school volleyball shirt.
“I think you look fine.”
“Well, I don’t think fine is what a girl is going for when she goes on a date.” Wait a minute. Didn’t I just tell him that I had a boyfriend? How can he think that this is a date? What kind of girl does he think I am?
“Well, if I’m being honest, I fucking love the shorts because I can’t stop staring at your legs. Then I start thinking about them over my shoulders.”
“Over your shoulders?” What does that even mean? “Oh!”
“Like I was saying—”
I slap my hand over his mouth. I stare up at him now I’m thinking about my legs over his shoulders. “I’m going to drop my hand and you’re going to zip it.” He nods. I pull