Page 50 of Bachelor CEO

“You knew I was coming here. You could haveeaten elsewhere.”

“Where? This is Chenille.”

True. Everyone ate at Maxine’s. “It wasmymeeting.”

“Things change. And we gave him the money hewanted. He’s happy and he probably won’t spend close to that much. Mike’s greatat making money stretch.”

“You don’t even know if McDaniel can affordwhat you offered.”

“Sure we can. I read the quarterly reportsyesterday. We’re actually twelve percent ahead of our net profit projectionsfor the year. We have room to put our focus on what’s important.”

“You didn’t even look at his proposal first tosee what he wants to do.”

Chase’s shoulders lifted. “So? I don’t needto. I know Mike. Have for years. He doesn’t do anything half-assed. If he’sgoing to put on a fall festival, it’ll be one heck of a good time. And Octoberis perfect because he can tie it into the high school’s homecoming game. Thistown loves a party, and people will come from miles around. This could becomean annual tradition, drawing tons of tourists.”

“You didn’t consult me on what I thought.”

“I don’t have to.”

The authoritative way he said it had the hairsof her neck standing on end. “The meeting was mine. I was to review theproposal. You cannot just come in here and do whatever you want.”

Her rebuke was sharp, yet Chase’s words wereeven sharper. “Yes, I can.”

Miranda leaned back as if slapped. She took amoment to compose herself, controlling the fury that threatened to make herleap out of the chair and throttle him. This was why this arrangement of Chasefilling in for Leroy wasn’t going to work.

“Chase, whether you like it or not, I amMcDaniel’s vice president. You might be taking over for your grandfather, butthat doesn’t mean you can delegate me into oblivion. I have a job to do and Iplan to do it.”

“And I never said you wouldn’t. You’re takingsomething personally that you shouldn’t. This is business.”

“No, this is childish. I am competent enoughto do my job, which included dealing with the fall festival.”

“Fine. You can oversee the money and have Mikereport to you. In a few days I’ll have a firm grip on everything and I’ll alsohave your role clearly defined. Until then, I’m sorry if things aren’t quite toyour satisfaction. There’s a lot of data to sort through from the past sevenweeks.”

“You could have just asked me to brief youinstead of acting like some gorilla pounding his chest.”

His gaze narrowed. “I like to do things myway.”

“Yeah, that’s obvious.” She pushed her plateaway, her appetite gone. “Fine, by Monday afternoon following the board meetingI’ll expect you to have my role defined and my duties outlined. I find havingmy time wasted insulting.”

“So take the rest of today and tomorrow offwith pay. Have a mini vacation on me. Enjoy yourself.”

She gaped at him. He was essentially banishingher, as his grandfather had him. “You are a grade A jerk.”

Chase didn’t appear to be insulted. “Didn’tyou once say you’d be grateful to be in my shoes? Here’s your chance. Go to aspa or something. Drive to the Twin Cities and shop.”

He knew she’d do neither. Miranda stood, toweringover him. She’d always considered herself a calm, rational person, but at themoment she would have liked to take the remains of her iced tea and dump itover Chase’s head. “Thank you for lunch,” she said as she strode away.

“Everything okay, Ms. Craig?” Diane asked asshe stalked past her.

She plastered a smile onher face. “Everything was wonderful,” she lied.

Bright sunlight assaulted her as she left therestaurant. The July day was ninety-nine degrees but even the summer heatcouldn’t warm the chill that had gripped Miranda’s heart.

CHASE PAID THE BILL and tucked the receiptaway.

He’d done it again. He’d been a complete assto Miranda. What was it about her that rubbed him the wrong way?

Actually, when they’d been together, nothinghad. Everything had been so right. That was the problem.

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