Page 22 of Miles & Mistletoe

Chapter Six

Ian

“I called you the other night.”

Lowering the cup of black coffee I’d just brought to my lips, I lifted my head to see my head of public relations staring down at me, accusingly.

“It appears I didn’t answer,” I stated coolly, dismissing Jamie and taking the intended sip of my coffee. I was just sitting down to an early morning breakfast at the hotel in Seattle where my staff and I had stayed for the night. We had another series of meetings that week up and down the West Coast. That particular night I would be attending a showing at the Seattle Museum of Art. One of the rare events that I actually wanted to attend. Plus, having Stacia as my date for another one of these gatherings made it worthwhile.

“Ian, are you listening to me?”

I blinked and realized that Jamie was now sitting across the table from me. My frown deepened at the intrusion.

“I was trying to enjoy my coffee.”

“What about the Collins deal? You’ve told me no more about it. And the Acostas, who you had dinner with four nights ago, yet failed to disclose to me what occurred in the meeting. If I am to keep on top of your PR I need to know these things.”

“I provide you with all of the information you need to know.”

“Ian, I’m sure you think you do, but—”

“I think?” I questioned angrily, staring Jamie in the eye. She was undoubtedly good at what she did, but I’d fired people far more competent than she for merely crossing a line with me.

“I’m sorry, Ian. I didn’t mean to suggest you didn’t know what you were doing. It’s just—”

“Just what?” I questioned impatiently.

“You’re making all of these changes and I don’t always know about them beforehand. Two days ago you decided not to attend the gala in Houston, which you were looking forward to attending to meet—”

“Stephen Davis.” Davis was one of the top up-and-coming specialty beer producers. A number of big names were vying to purchase his company. Zerlinger Beers was one of them. “I’m well aware of my business obligations. I’m also aware that Davis canceled his attendance at the gala citing family matters. He has canceled all of his major meetings and appearances for the same reasons. My assistant was able to get a meeting with him on my schedule after the holidays.”

“Oh,” Jamie replied, sitting back a little in her chair.

“And frankly, as my head of PR, the fact that you didn’t know about Davis’ cancellations has me concerned about your competency,” I stated sharply.

“Ian, no, that’s not it,” she insisted. “I am as competent as—”

“Good morning, friend.”

Stacia’s voice behind me instantly changed my mood. I’d left her upstairs in the room because she looked so peaceful sleeping. That and the fact that I did cherish my alone time in the mornings. Something that was appreciated by Stacia since she enjoyed sleeping in. Ever since that night in her apartment in Atlanta, nearly a week prior, we hadn’t slept apart. Though, my staff continued to book her separate hotel rooms when we traveled, she either wound up in my bed or I in hers. I couldn’t say I minded it much.

“Oh, I’m sorry, didn’t know you were working. I can come back.”

“No,” I insisted, standing up to welcome her to the table. “You’re right on time. I was just about to order breakfast. Jamie was just leaving.” I glanced over at Jamie, expectantly.

Her narrowed eyes moved from Stacia to me, softening. “Ian, we—”

“Can discuss whatever needs to be discussed later on.” The firmness in my voice left no room for argument.

Jamie rose from her chair, and I assumed she’d been about to say something. However, I wouldn’t know since I quickly dismissed her from my thoughts and moved to the other side of the table to pull the chair out for Stacia to sit.

“Thank you, friend,” she stated as I took my seat across from her.

“Would you give the friend thing a rest?” I said as I rolled my eye, but my voice was that odd teasing tone that only came out when she was around.

“What? We are friends, right?”

I shook my head and perched my elbows on the table and just stared at her. Her chocolate-colored eyes and toffee skin had a specific kind of glow that morning. My gaze rolled up to the top of her hair and I grinned inwardly at the short, dyed blond, curly locks that rested there. She’d done as I’d requested the first time I’d seen her actual hair and not covered it.

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