Page 4 of More Than Words

Kate gasped at his crass question, Lorenzo’s face pinching into a frown as he looked between us. Our team had already won. My last throw was just a formality. And it determined whether Adrian got that kiss he wanted. Not that I had any idea why he wanted it. We didn’t get along, and I doubted we ever would.

“Maybe I like to take things slow.”

“Maybe you’re stalling because you know you’ll lose,” he taunted. “Or maybe you’re trying to lose.”

Gritting my teeth, I took a deep breath and focused on the center ring, pulling my arm back and breathing out as I released my weapon toward its target.

My eyes closed before it hit, my body jolting with the sound of the impact.

“Nice throw,” Renz cheered, and I opened my eyes, surprised that I’d hit dead center on the target.

“Thanks,” I smiled as I looked back in his direction.

“You were a formidable opponent,” Adrian drawled as I turned toward our side of the range and wiped my sweaty palms down my skirt. “Guess it was a draw.”

“We both know you let me catch up. Does that mean we’re both winners?”

As much as I wanted him to quit being a dick to my authors, I wasn’t sure I wanted his lips anywhere near mine just to get him not to be an asshole. That seemed like a terrible idea. We worked together. He was an epic asshat, and my attraction to him was solely to his body, not his lackluster personality.

“Nah. I don’t need a pity kiss. We’re good.”

“If you say so.” I nodded, relieved. “Wouldn’t want you to be embarrassed when it fell short.”

“Well,” Sloane interrupted from opposite the fence, smiling widely at us. “Looks like you two did quite well tonight.”

“Were we keeping score for something other than bragging rights?” I glanced over at Adrian, but he only shrugged, looking back toward our boss.

“I didn’t tell anyone ahead of time. Whoever had the highest score will represent Vivid at the New England Publisher’s Conference next month.”

“And who would that be?”

“Adrian, since he scored the most points.”

“Technically, Isobel scored the same number of points, so we tied,” Adrian offered helpfully, smirking at me.

“Looks like you’re both lucky then.”

“Am I really?” I asked under my breath, trying to sound less annoyed than I was. He’d been tolerable tonight, but I didn’t want to be trapped in Eastern Maine with him for almost a week. While I enjoyed going to trade conferences, I knew we’d have to spend time together if we were being sent to represent Vivid. And I’d have to pretend I didn’t despise him.

“I was secretly hoping it’d be the one of you, with the press Adrian got for Stone’s latest release and the articles you’ve been contributing about the resurgence of romance novels into mainstream media with streaming services green lighting movies, I think you’d be good representatives. Neither of you have any releases that conflict with the conference, so it seems like a perfect fit to send you both.”

Glancing over at Adrian, I tried to gauge if he was dreading this as much as I was, but his eyes weren’t focused on our boss. They were focused squarely on my ass. Great.

“I’m sure it’ll be more than worth our time. Have Chloe send the itinerary to Sam to ensure all the edits on my plate are covered, but I’m in.”

Sloane smiled, reaching over to squeeze his arm. He grinned at her in response, and she cleared her throat before looking at me. Of course, she’d fall for his bullshit. Everyone seemed to. “Think you can make it work, Isobel?”

“Do I really have an option? Neither of us has conflicts, and it seems like a great opportunity.” I tried to tack on a smile at the end, but I wasn’t sure I was successful with the slight frown she directed at me before she stepped back, plastering a grin on her face.

“Great. I’ll get you all the details this week and have your travel booked. I know the venue shifted, so we need to book rooms soon.”

Yeah, there had better be rooms, plural. I was not sharing the same hotel room with Adrian. I’d rather sleep in the rental car. And the only one bed trope needed to stay in my author’s books where they belonged.

As Sloane walked away, Adrian stepped forward, placing his hand on my back as he deposited his empty glass on the high-top table in the corner. “Don’t worry, Is. I’ll make sure we have a good time. Maybe you’ll lighten up outside the office.”

“Ugh. You’re such a dick,” I hissed, stepping around him. “Just because I don’t fall on yours doesn’t mean I’m an uptight bitch.”

“Hey,” he chuckled, raising his hands in defense before he stepped to the side, holding open the net for me. Kate and Lorenzo took off while we talked to Sloane, and our other co-workers were headed home or toward the bar down the street. “I never called you a bitch. I think wicked smart, opinionated women are sexy as fuck.”

---