Page 96 of A Little Moore Action
“Hello to you too, Leslie.”
“Complete bullshit.” She falls into one of the chairs in front of my desk. “If you had let me at the jackass I could’ve torn him a new one. We could have at least gotten a hefty price for them terminating the contract early.”
“I know. You’ve said.”
“Then why—”
“Why don’t we go out on Friday?”
I take a minute to marvel at the wonder of a speechless Leslie.
She blinks a few times before regaining her composure. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Friday. You and me.” I hate this idea. But I need it.
She flutters her lashes at me. “Are you asking me out, Campbell King?”
That has me laughing. “You’re too high-maintenance for me. But if you already have plans…”
“No, no, no,” she says, shaking her head. “And even if I did, I’d cancel. I am most definitely available for your… whatever this is.”
“I just want to go out. People do that, you know.”
“Not you. At least very rarely. And usually only to a wine bar foradrink.” She stills. “Wait. Is that what you want? Another boring night at some wine bar?”
She looks too disappointed for me to tell her yes, that was exactly what I’d meant. So I go with, “No, of course not. I was thinking of Wild West.”
She lights up again. “Wild West? Really?” Hooting, she kicks her legs up and down before popping out of the chair. “I’m going to find me a cowboy to ride!”
I can’t help but laugh. “You have a cowboy fetish I didn’t know about?”
“Um… who doesn’t?”
She has a point.
One of her sharp, ladylike, French-tipped fingers points in my direction. “Don’t you wuss out on me now.”
“I won’t,” I promise, palms up.
Her eyes narrow, and I suddenly feel like the unfortunate opposition in court. “And don’t think this is going to make me forget about the shit-storm in New York.”
“Of course not.” I nod solemnly. “You’re much too sharp for that.”
“Damn straight.” She lowers her hand and walks to the door, a bit less stalk and a tad more swagger in her step. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go see a man about a new pair of boots.” She shimmies her ass in my direction. “We’re going dancing.”
I wish a new pair of boots would fix the so-called shit-storm.
King Marketing took a hit. Both its reputation and its bottom line. It’s no secret that the first thing Stan did when he somehow wrestled control from Chase was fire me. There were enough people working near the elevator on the office floor that morning to ensure everyone in the business had some interesting opinions on what happened.
Even more so when Denise was reinstated seconds later, spreading her own rumors about what happened, and what she said happened with me years ago. The connection between Campbell Dougherty and Campbell King has been made.
I could tell it killed Thomas to just stand by and watch his father act like a pompous windbag. To not side with his brother or clue him in to what was really going on. But Thomas has to fake loyalty to Stan if he wants his plan to work.
A plan I hope Chase will be a part of if their conversation goes well.
I tried calling and texting, but Chase wouldn’t pick up. The look of betrayal in his eyes when he realized I knew about the affair and hadn’t told him… I see it every time I close my eyes. Needless to say, I haven’t been sleeping well.
Though I know his family is just… wow, and me looking like I’d kept something from him must have hurt, at the same time I am somadthat he wouldn’t listen. That he would just cut me off like that.Leave me.
