Page 50 of A Mutually Beneficial Proposal

I give Mason a onceover. “I’m not sure you could handle me.”

Todd chuckles, and Jack pats my head. “Now, Ella. I’m sure Mason didn’t mean it like that.”

I grip Jack’s hand, letting my nails bite into his wrinkled skin just enough that he’ll take notice and shove the meaty extremity away from me as he settles into his seat. “My apologies, then.”

Natalie and Owen share a look I try not to notice while I scooch my chair further away from Jack. Todd begins to say something, but his words are drowned out when a woman’s high-pitched voice echoes through the room.

My head turns to see karaoke night is in full swing, and not everyone brought their singing voice with them. Though, I don’t judge. It takes guts to get up on stage and sing in front of people. Especially ones you work with.

She’s belting lines to Pocketful of Sunshine and completely off key, but she knows the words and smiles brightly as she sways to the tune. At least she’s having fun. I’d rather be her right now than myself.

Another minute later, she’s done and bows, but only a third of the room claps for her. Though, she hobbles off the stage and doesn’t seem to give a shit about the lack of reception she receives.

An announcer steps onto the stage. “Let’s give Lisa another round of applause. Next up, we have Frank Meyers.”

An older man jumps onto the stage and snags the microphone. “Thanks, dude.” Then, he turns to the crowd. “Let’s party!”

Y.M.C.Acomes on and I sigh. This guy enjoyed the seventies a little too much.

Jack leans across the table. “Owen, I forgot to tell you thank you for staying with Natalie yesterday and holding on to her while she was so sick on the yacht. I’m sure your touch really helped to keep her calm. Isn’t that right, Natalie?”

Her eyes widen and her shoulders stiffen while Owen doesn’t seem to react at all nor look at me. “I’m just glad I was sober enough to help. How are you feeling after the…incident earlier?”

Owen’s question is asked casually, but makes Jack’s mouth flatten. “Just fine.”

Take that, asshole. Maybe Owen will do enough pushing of his boss’s buttons that I can simply enjoy the evening.

I drum my fingers over the table. “I think I want to sing.”

Todd scoffs. “This is for employees only.”

Before I can reply, Jack is already getting up. “No, I think that’s a great idea. Let me go get you on the list. You don’t mind if I pick the song, right?” He raises a brow at me, and I don’t back down from the challenge.

“Sure thing. Just stay away from the boy bands,” I say with a feigned shudder. I actually love those songs and hope my reverse psychology works on the prick.

He smirks, and the look doesn’t fill me with anything positive.

Owen is eyeing me. His brows are drawn together and lips are pursed, but I ignore his concern. I can handle Jack.

“Where are you from, Ella?” Natalie asks before Jack returns. Maybe Owen wasn’t lying. Maybe she doesn’t want him the way it looked in the hotel lobby. Or maybe she’s a really good actress. Either way, I’m not letting myself care.

“Born and raised just outside of Charlotte. I didn’t realize that’s where you all were from until today,” I answer before reaching for an untouched glass of water in the middle of the table.

She smiles. “I wasn’t raised in North Carolina, but I’ve been there a few years and have no plans of leaving.”

Hmm, is she trying to say something else? Or am I reading too much into her words?

Before I can ask any of my own questions, Jack returns with a triumphant smile rising on his face. I try not to be worried, but I can’t help wondering what he’s up to.

The old guy is applauded off the stage and the announcer comes back to the stage. “We have a special addition to the lineup. Our first duet of the evening! Please, welcome Owen and Natalie to the stage.”

Oh, that fucker. He isn’t trying to humiliate me. He’s trying to remind me that I’m not the only one Owen has shown interest in since arriving in Saint Lucia. Hats off to him, because I didn’t see that one coming.

Owen’s jaw tenses. “I didn’t agree to go up there, Jack. And neither did Natalie.”

Jack smiles with an evil glint in his eye. “Natalie mentioned being too afraid to go up on the stage by herself before you got here. I thought maybe you’d want to help her out before Ella goes on. I signed all three of you up.”

Everyone in the room except our table is clapping and cheering, oblivious to the tension bearing down on the five of us.

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