Page 26 of Bad for Business
I weave through the tables and armchairs of the lounge. It’s pretty busy in here for being early in the afternoon, but my guess is most of the men wandered in here after brunch. The gentlemen’s lounge is attached to the men’s locker room and is a place where the male club members can relax. There’s a bar and staff that take care of the room, making it a perfect place to hide from my annoying publicist.
“Ryker!” Jude calls out, a huge grin on his face as he waves me over.
Despite my frustration from earlier, I return his smile. It’s not his fault I’m suddenly jealous. The last thing I want to do is be an asshole to him.
“What’s up?” I ask the group.
“We were just talking about the annual charity golf event coming up. Are you going to participate?” Jude asks. His lips wrap around the end of the cigar as he takes a puff, smoke billowing out of his mouth as he blows it out.
I scan the group of men at the table. Cal sits on one side of Jude, a scowl on his face as he pulls his phone out of his pocket. On Jude’s other side is Thomas, who sits next to Beck Sinclair. Next to Beck is Archer. I take the empty seat between Archer and Cal.
“I might be. Are you guys?”
Jude laughs. “Maybe. Have to find a partner first.”
“Emma is insistent thatwedo,” Preston says. A smile tugs at his lips as he brings a crystal glass to his lips. “And whatever she wants, she gets.”
“Well…” Beck leans forward, running his hands over his thighs as he focuses on his friend. “Because Emma wants to do it, she’s convinced Margo that we need to do it as well.”
“She’s gotten to Winnie too,” Archer chimes in.
“Damn, so almost everyone here has a partner but me?” Jude asks, disappointment in his voice as he looks around the table. “I’m going to need to find one fast.”
“I still need to find one, but Jude, I doubt you’ll have a problem,” Cal offers, setting his phone down on the table. I don’t miss how he sets it face up, his eyes still glancing at the screen.
“So, are you?” Jude asks, his focus on me.
I sit back in my chair with a sigh. “I’m supposed to. Camille wants me to.”
He nods in understanding. “So you’ll be doing it. Got it.” He looks over to say something to Cal, but I’m distracted by the Pembroke staff member who’s walking straight to me.
He looks a little uncomfortable, his eyes casting downward before looking up at me. I don’t know what it is, but something about the way he keeps looking at me—and only me—tells me that I’m the one he’s coming over here for.
“Mr. Davenport?” the kid asks. He can’t be much older than eighteen. His voice is tight as he twists his hands in front of him.
“Everything okay?” I ask, sitting up in my chair.
The kid nods. “There’s just a very angry woman who sent me to get you. She told me that she needs you outside…now.”
Jude’s head falls back with a laugh.
Mine falls forward as I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Do you need to go out there?” Beck asks from across the table. There’s a hint of humor in his voice.
“Tell her no,” I bark, staring into my lap as my cheeks heat at the laughter going around the table.
“But…” the kid begins, his voice full of panic. What did Camille say to him to make him this scared of her?
“But nothing,” I rush to get out, looking up and taking a deep breath so I don’t take out my frustration with Camille on this poor staff member. “Tell her I’m busy and to go away.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Jude pipes up, his eyebrows lifted to his hairline.
All I do is grunt as I fall back in my chair. I cover my face with my hands as I try not to be embarrassed about Camille sending someone in to come and get me.
I’ve got to figure out a way to get her gone. And soon.
SIXTEEN
