Page 32 of In Love and War
Zac tapped his pen on the table beside me impatiently, seemingly annoyed that I’d been asked to contribute. Which, in turn, annoyed me.
Honest answer it is.
“It’s good, but I think we can do better.” I sat up straighter as the light tapping subsided. I could see Zac’s head slowly turn to face me in my peripherals. I couldn’t make out his expression, but I was willing to bet my inheritance it wasn’t a happy one.
“Yeah?” David’s smile widened, and he leaned forward. “Tell me what you’ve got.”
And that’s exactly what I did. Having attended countless meetings with him in the past, I knew for certain you never sat at one of these tables with David Bruman without being ready to contribute if he picked on you. And I do meannever.So I’d come prepared with some of my own ideas.
I would have been happy to share them with Zac before we got here, but he’d never shown any interest in hearing them. So, technically, this wasn’t my fault.
“I fucking love it,” David laughed, clapping his hands together once in approval.
“Thanks.” I smiled back at him. It felt so good to actually contribute again and share my ideas. This was my favorite part of the job.
“Zac, you in? Should we add it to the pitch?” He looked over at his counterpart, who took his time responding.
“We can think about it.” Unsurprisingly, Zac’s voice had the same amount of enthusiasm as you’d expect from someone on their way to visit the dentist.
I knew he wasn’t going to add it in. It would be too big of a revision to make last minute. But it was a good idea, and he knew it.
About time I won one.
12
“Oh, Miss Bloom, we’ve been expecting you. Mr. Bloom called us earlier and had you upgraded to a junior suite,” the girl at the front desk of the hotel informed me with a polite smile as she handed me back my ID in addition to a room key.
“How nice, I’ll make sure to thank him.” I took out my phone, ready to send him a quick text.
“Is Mr. Evans with you? He said you might be checking in together?” she added, looking at her computer screen.
“No, but he should be arriving shortly.” Zac had gone into a conference call immediately after our meeting, so I’d left without him. I was planning on getting some work done before we met up with David again for dinner at six. “Just out of curiosity… did he also get upgraded?”
“No, Mr. Evans is already up in one of the penthouse suites,” she replied, giving me another polite smile.
Of course he is. A penthouse suite in a five-star hotel in New York? Who’s the spoiled brat now?
I had to stop myself from outwardly rolling my eyes as I put my phone back into my bag. I wasn’t the one who should be giving thanks to my father, apparently.
The room was more spacious than I had been expecting, with a separate living and work area which was perfect. I quickly unpacked the essentials, making note of the bathtub with city views I planned on making use of after dinner, and got to work.
“Please follow me.The rest of your party arrived a few minutes ago.” The well-dressed host led me through the upscale restaurant with low, warm lighting, to a large corner booth where David and Zac were already seated.
“Mills, you made it.” David’s face brightened up with a friendly smile when he saw me. “I already ordered your drink. The usual. I’m assuming that hasn’t changed in the last three, four months?”
“It has not. You’re the best, thank you.” I went over to take a seat beside him without hesitation, remembering how Zac had reacted to me in the conference room.
David immediately made the room for me, scooting over to the middle of the booth.
I could feel Zac, who was now straight across the table from me, quietly watching us.
“No problem. Your timing was great too. We were just talking about you.”
Uh-oh.
My eyes nervously darted toward Zac, who was wearing his signature poker face.
“Oh? Care to elaborate?” I tried to keep my tone light and neutral.
