Mason showed the client out and Noah stood. “Hang on, guys,” he said. “I’m going to see if Sloane’s around.”
He returned with Sloane at the same time Mason came back. “What’s up?” Sloane asked, slipping into a chair.
“Those two dudes are going to sabotage this campaign,” Levi said.
She blinked at him. “Oh come on, Levi.”
“He’s right.” Noah sat at the table again. “They’ve got issues with Verhoeven.” He filled Sloane in on some of the things they’d said.
She listened intently as they all shared various pieces of the meeting. Damn that was hot.
No, no, focus.
Finally, Sloane rubbed her forehead. “I’ll talk to Derek,” she said, naming the VP of communications at Verhoeven. “Maybe even Tom.” Tom Verhoeven. CEO. Big cheese. Head honcho. “He needs to know about that.”
“Yeah,” Mason agreed. “They might want to replace them with a management team they’ve picked themselves, someone who’s on board with their strategic plan for the brand. Because those guys are not on board.”
“That’s going to be a fun discussion.” Sloane sighed. “Okay, leave it with me.”
Levi wanted to follow her down the hall to her office where he could massage that frown off her forehead and make her feel so much better…
Giving himself a mental shake, he returned his attention to business.
“Okay,” Mason said. “While you guys are here, what’s the status of the Cerone campaign?”
Chapter Thirteen
“Who is that woman crying?” Sloane whispered to Levi.
“That’s Tara’s grandmother. Apparently they’re very Catholic and she’s upset that they didn’t get married in a church.”
“Oh dear.” Sloane eyed the elderly woman sitting on a chair against the wall, family members huddled around her offering tissues.
“She’ll survive. I’ll dance with her later. Old ladies like me.”
“All ladies like you,” she said with an eye roll.
Levi grinned. “Including you, right, beautiful?” He leaned in and rubbed his nose against hers. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Including me. Although I’m not sure why I let you talk me into coming to this wedding. It’s not much fun being the best man’s date. I’ve barely seen you.”
They were standing in the Gold Coast Ballroom at the Drake Hotel. Tara and Jacob had said their vows a short time ago in a lovely ceremony. Then the bridal party had disappeared to get photos taken and had only recently reappeared—minus the bride and groom—to begin the reception. Waiters circulated with trays of champagne and finger foods as guests mingled before dinner.
“I know. I’m sorry.” He frowned. “I should have realized.”
He’d introduced her to his family and had apparently asked them to take her under their wing since she didn’t know anyone else there. Jacob and Levi had grown up together and their families were good friends too, so they’d all been invited to the wedding.
“Your sisters are hilarious, though.”
“My sisters are a pain in my ass,” he muttered. “But not as much as they were growing up. One day they might actually acknowledge I’m an adult now.”
She grinned. She could tell they loved their baby brother, despite the teasing insults and advice with which they inundated him.
A little excitement when one of the guests had broken her ankle coming up the stairs at the front entrance had also passed the time. Sucked for the girl, who was now at the hospital. She’d been wearing sky-high platform shoes and had fallen off them and snapped her ankle. This made Sloane wince and vow to be more careful in her heels.
“You look amazing,” he said in a low, husky voice. “Love that dress.”
Her skin heated. “Thank you.”
“Uncle Levi!” Two small bodies flew across the carpeted floor and jumped up and down in front of him. Sloane had earlier met his niece Emily and nephew Elijah, the children of his oldest sister Madeleine. “I saw you in the wedding, Uncle Levi!”
Everyone in the ballroom had known that because five-year-old Emily had jumped up on her chair and yelled, “Hi, Uncle Levi!” waving frantically when he’d appeared with the other guys. Just another girl who loved him.
Sloane smiled at the little girl in her pretty pink party dress. Her younger brother was equally adorable in black pants, a pale blue dress shirt and patterned vest. Their mother Madeleine appeared and smiled at Sloane.
Levi bent and picked up Emily. “Hi, princess. You look beautiful.”
“So do you!” She squeezed his neck in a hug.
Levi turned his attention to Elijah and gave him a fist bump. “Hey, dude.”
Elijah beamed adoringly at his uncle. “Hey, Uncalevi.”