Page 44 of Havoc
“You know I wouldn’t do that,” Remy told him, his hand resting on Lawrence’s leg. “We donated a new phone and a year’s worth of service. Alijah also donated a beautiful painting.”
He rolled his eyes. Usually, that wouldn’t have upset Lawrence, but he was still carrying some of the irritation of the week within him. He took a deep breath and placed his hand over his boyfriend’s.
“I can’t wait to see her painting then.”
Lawrence excused himself, leaving Remy to talk business. They’d been at the event for less than an hour, and it was the third work conversation the other man had been dragged into. He’d expected as much to happen. The first two conversations hadn’t seemed like ones his boyfriend wanted to engage in, so he’d stayedas a buffer to help keep things short. The current one was a bit different since Remy was the one that started it.
He grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter as he walked over to where Chayse and Erin were standing. He’d seen and greeted all three women when they’d arrived.
“What are the two of you doing over here?” Lawrence asked.
They lifted their champagne flutes, but Erin answered, “Letting them talk business. I take it Remy is having a similar conversation.”
“He is.” Lawrence gazed out over the large crowd and spotted Alijah and Kieran. “Being his assistant means she can’t walk away when those conversations get boring.”
The women followed his gaze.
“She could if she wanted to. I think she doesn’t because there’s no telling what would happen if someone pissed Kieran off,” Chayse supplied.
They settled into conversation for the next few minutes, but Lawrence felt someone was watching him the entire time. His first instinct was to see if it was Remy, possibly trying to see where he was, or maybe he needed him to intervene in the current conversation and give him an out. When his eyes settled on his boyfriend, he found he wasn’t looking at him.
“Who’s that man that keeps staring over here?” Chayse asked.
“I don’t know, but the shit is getting creepy,” Erin stated.
Lawrence looked at the two women, and Erin, never being one to hold back on calling someone out, pointed to the man. He tried to keep himself from groaning when he looked but failed.
“I take it you know him,” Erin stated.
“He’s a potential client. I had a consultation with him, and he asked me out. I turned him down, but for the past two weeks, he’s been calling the office to ask questions I’ve answered as an excuse to flirt.”
“Well, he’s coming over,” Chayse spoke. “Want me to be your girlfriend?”
It was a nice thought, but it wouldn’t work. “He knows I’m gay.”
Lawrence was going to walk off and go back over to Remy. It was his intention, but it seemed that John knew he’d try to evadehim because before Lawrence could blink, the other man was standing in front of him.
“Lawrence, what a pleasant surprise seeing you here,” John stated with a smile.
“Mr. Cross,” Lawrence greeted shortly, assuming this must have been the event he had invited him to.
He dealt with the man all week during work, and the last thing he wanted to do was deal with him on his personal time. At this point, he didn’t care if the other man switched and his company became John’s supplier. Not having to deal with him would be worth losing the contract.
“Could I speak to you in private?” John asked. “I have a few questions about the contract and would like to discuss them.”
“I was unaware the distribution of medical equipment was so secretive,” Erin stated before drinking her champagne.
John cut his eyes at her, and Lawrence could read the smile she gave him as,Please say something, so I have an excuse to snap on you.
“I like to keep my business between those I conduct it with,” John responded. His attention returned to Lawrence. “I’ll only take up a half hour of your time,” John smirked, then added. “Unless you want to give me more.”
Lawrence felt a body press against his back, and Remy’s cologne was unmistakable.
“He doesn’t,” Remy started. “He’s not going to give you any tonight.”
“We’re discussing business,” John retorted, his tone dismissive.
“No, you’re not,” Remy responded firmly.
