and reached to push it back. Throughout their brief meeting, she’d been incapable of meeting his gaze for more than a second. Those dark eyes of his had always seemed to see right into her.
Maybe that was why he’d left. In the brief moment their gazes had met, he’d probably read her desperation. He’d probably had a vision of her standing over his shoulder every minute until the network was up and running at full capacity.
Or worse, he had seen the longing there. He knew as well as she did that it would never work between them. It hadn’t before. What made now any different?
Either way, he’d left. She couldn’t blame him. Even if it set her back to square one. No, their history was too complicated to travel down a path of any kind of relationship—professional or not—again.
Now what?
Sarah was still staring at the elevator doors when Maisie arrived nearly out of breath. Bryant, the CEO at LinkDigital and her longtime business partner, followed closely behind.
“Sorry I’m late.” Maisie leaned over, palms braced against her thighs, breathing hard. “I ran over here as fast as I could.”
“It’s my fault,” Bryant chimed in, also gasping for air. “I had her working on a line over at headquarters, and—“
“Wait.” Maisie held up a palm and stood straight. “Where’s Beck? Didn’t he show?”
“He was here,” Sarah said.
Maisie glanced around, her chest still rising up and down. “And he left already?”
Sarah nodded.
“When does he start?”
“Never.” Sarah stared at the gaping hole in the wall. “He said it wouldn’t work.”
“Like in his timeline?” Bryant asked.
“No clue.” The familiar licks of panic began to rebuild in Sarah. Just how on earth was she going to get the server back online—and keep it that way—in time for the launch?
Maisie gaped. “Seriously?”
“He offered to send a list of referrals.”
Hopefully one of them panned out. Sarah’s hands balled into fists.
“That’s weird.” A frown marred Maisie’s brow. “I figured he’d jump at a chance to make some quick cash. Not to mention what it would mean to his future customers to have your business.”
Bryant raised a dark eyebrow. “Future customers?”
Future customers?
Sneaking a glance at Bryant, Sarah could tell his curiosity had been as piqued as hers.
“Don’t customers go through the cable company?” he asked.
“Now, yes. But Beck has been talking about starting his own tech support company.”
“He’s starting his own company?”
“That’s the plan.” Maisie pursed her lips. “Last I knew, he almost had enough put away to buy more equipment and cover the start-up fees.”
Sarah said nothing, not wanting to show her interest.
Luckily, Bryant was there to do it for her. “How much does he need?”
Maisie threw out a number, and Sarah nodded as Bryant let out a low whistle. “Strange he’d turn down a job when he’s so close.”
“Very strange.” Maisie’s brow furrowed. “He’d do just about anything to get that last bit of money.”
Sarah certainly hoped that was the case.
Clearing her throat, Sarah drew back Maisie’s attention. “Does your brother still hang out at that pizza place down the street?”
“Any chance he gets.” A dimple formed in Maisie’s chin as a slow grin spread across her face.
Funny, Sarah had only just noticed it did that. Just like her brother’s.
“Would you guess he’s there now?”
“Absolutely.”
With a clipped goodbye, Sarah left the pair to watch as she briskly walked to the door of the stairwell. She had reached full speed by the time her tennis shoes hit the stairs. Her mind spun quickly as she flew down the stairs. By the time she reached the door to the street, she had a plan.
During the past decade, she’d learned a thing or two about making business deals. While much of it came down to statistics, analysis, and facts, a certain amount of it depended on luck. But whether she was playing a game of cards or sealing a deal, it always helped to have a good hand.
This time, when she faced Beck, she’d have more than an ace up her sleeve. She’d have a full house.
Beck was still placing his order when Sarah sprinted into the pizza parlor. Pausing just a moment to take a breath, she pulled back her shoulders and stalked toward him. As he reached for his wallet, she plopped her credit card down on the counter.
“I’ll take a slice of the black truffle and gorgonzola and a bottle of Shiner. I’ve got his order, too.”
Jaw slack, Beck gaped. The college student behind the counter darted a nervous glance his way, but took her credit card and