Page 73 of Love You
“Yeah,” Colt chimed in. “Share with the rest of the class.”
She shot them both looks and let out an exasperated sound. “If you must know Delaney’s taking my measurements for my wedding gown.”
Darcy didn’t even realize she was doing it but she let out a sigh. Four pairs of eyes turned on her. “What? It’s exciting. Leave her alone.”
Colt threw his head back and laughed. “Four months ago, you couldn’t say boo in a crowded room. Now you’re a tiger.” He and his brothers stood up and high-fived. “You’re an official Garner now.”
She blew her new tough-girl image by blushing.
“Remember the time you choked on a doughnut because TJ embarrassed you?” Josh said.
It was something she’d hoped to forget and gave him her three-finger salute for reminding her of the humiliating experience. “Read between the lines.”
That sent everyone into a second fit of laughter, even Win, who reached out and stroked her hair. And not in a “you’re an honorary Garner” way. No, he did it with the sensual familiarity of a lover. Everyone in the room went silent and she could feel the weirdness crackle in the air.
Win tried to cover by making a joke but Darcy sensed no one was buying the snow job he was selling. She didn’t know what they thought they saw but whatever they’d divined from Win’s small, intimate gesture was now out in the universe.
Ultimately, it was Deb who saved the moment by distracting everyone with her report. She stood up, cleared her throat, and gave a synopsis of their weekly sales.
“The egg carriers are a major fail,” she said. “Who the hell brings eggs backpacking? I believe those were your idea, Colt.”
“Bullshit. I said it as a joke. I didn’t actually think you would order them.”
“Well, I did and they’ve been thoroughly mocked in the comment section of the online store. So you suck! On the other hand, TJ’s brilliant suggestion to carry microfiber packable camp towels has been a huge win. We’ve sold twenty in three days.”
“You’re just giving TJ credit because you’re sleeping with him.” Colt stabbed his coffee stirrer at her.
“Yes, I am sleeping with him but zero”—she made a circle with her thumb and index finger—“for you and twenty for him.”
Josh and TJ laughed. Deb grabbed a doughnut and headed for the door.
“I’m out of here, people.”
“Bye, little Debbie,” Colt said, using the nickname she hated.
“Next line of business is FlashTag.” Everyone turned their attention to TJ and Darcy held her breath. He’d held out on her earlier by keeping the news a secret until now. “They want a second round with us. This time Madison De Wolk is coming.”
“When?” Win asked.
“This weekend. I want you and Darcy back on it.”
“We’re down with that, right, Darce?”
“You bet.” The fact that Madison De Wolk was coming herself meant they’d passed the first test. All they had to do was get her to sign on the bottom line and the account was theirs.
* * *
“I swear to God, Win, leave Darcy alone. I don’t know what that was about in the conference room but I do know you’re playing with fire, flirting with her like that. She’s not one of your party girls and she’s going to wind up getting hurt.”
Win knew the minute TJ stepped foot in his office and shut the door that his brother was going to make a federal case over the way he’d touched Darcy. TJ didn’t know what he was talking about but Win sure as hell wasn’t going to enlighten him.
“It’s none of your business.” He was sick of his brothers’ meddling. He was entitled to a private life and what he and Darcy did in their off-hours wasn’t any concern of TJ’s.
“The hell it isn’t. Darcy works for me, she works for Garner Adventure. Last I looked, you were an equal shareholder of this company. Do I need to draw you a picture?”
“There’s nothing to worry about.” Because Darcy wanted this. He was helping a friend, that’s all. “I don’t know what you thought you saw but it was nothing. We’re buddies.”
TJ just sat there, staring at him. “Am I making a mistake having you two work together on this account? This is too important to screw up, Win. So if there’s something going on with you two, you need to speak up now. For once in your freaking life be responsible.”
