Page 3 of The Mark (The Players 2)

“Only you would quote Robert Louis Stevenson at a time like this.” Drew rolled his eyes. “And I improve the world all the time. Why, the other day, while we were in Vegas, I left a hundredpercenttip.”

“You were flirting with the waitress. I hardly think that counts.” I glanced at the time on the microwave. “I really need to shower and go. I’m leaving in half an hour. If you want to come, be showered, dressed, and packed. I refuse todisappointTy.”

“I could change.” Drew sank down on astool.

“Good. And shower. You smell like a distillery.” I wrinkledmynose.

“No, I mean I could be a different man, a better man, if only I found the right woman.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Ibet…”

I shook my head fervently. “Oh, no. We already have one bet going. I can’t manage two atatime.”

“Fine. If you need me, I’ll be in the master bath, showering.” Drew stood and stormed off towardmyroom.

“Drew.” I watched as he ignored me and continued on his way. “Drew, it’s my bathroom. Use the one in the guest suite so I can get ready!” He neither flinched nor acknowledged my request. I stalked into the ground floor master bath, then leaned on the vanity and struggled to control my temper. I peered at my reflection in the mirror and blew out a breath. I’d had too much sun. As a ginger, I should’ve been more careful. Then my eyes narrowed. Dealing with a ginger, Drew should’ve been careful not to poke this bear. In all these years, he still hadn’t learned. What did he have to worry about where our relationship was concerned? After all, the three of us always swore we’d have a lifelong friendship. At the moment, I still believed this pledge would hold, but only because Drew was either going to be the death of me, or I was going tokillhim.

2

Laney

“Listen,I’m not asking you to do a bad job.” Kate shrugged. “I’m just asking you to ease up alittle.”

I frowned and rolled my chair back from the conference table. “And how is that different from asking me to do a bad job, exactly?” I crossed my legs, then wrapped my hands around my knee with my fingerslaced.

Kate gripped the back of the chair opposite mine, then closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She was annoyed. I could tell. She wasn’t the first corporate type I’d infuriated in my career. Finally, she opened her eyes and addressed me. “Laney,” shemurmured.

“Miss Jenner,” I corrected. I’m pretty sure I saw a twitch under Kate’s eye. “You may continue.” Inodded.

“Thank you,” she gritted out. Her knuckles were white as her grip tightened on the back of the chair. “My father is just now recovering from a serious heart attack. Could you just…ease up a little?” Her lips pursed and I sensed hersorrow.

“I understand that you’re concerned for your father’s well-being.” I stood and smoothed myskirt.

“He doesn’t even know you’re here. We’ve pretty much kept him in the dark, hoping this would be done before his return.” Kate held her hands out, palms up, before clasping them underherchin.

My head tilted. “Then maybe you should keep him home longer. This could take awhile.”

The door to the conference room opened and her husband smoothly entered the room. “How’s everything going in here, ladies?” He smiled warmly at Kate, then nodded at me before he strode over to her and wrapped her inhisarms.

My cheeks must’ve gone pink because I was decidedly warm as I watched him interact with her. Kate absolutely transformed with his affection. Her shoulders relaxed and I heard her sigh. A moment later, she looked up at him and he brushed his lips against hers, then planted a kiss on her forehead. “You seem stressed, Kate. How canIhelp?”

She groaned and jerked her head toward me. “Laney…”

I cleared my throat. “MissJenner.”

Kate’s hands fisted as her sides. “See?” She pushed on his chest and propelled herself out of his arms, which made zero sense to me because if I had a man like Mr. George, I couldn’t imagine not wanting to be close to him every minute of every day. “She’s takingforever.”

“In my defense, I’ve only been here for four days,” I interjected. Suddenly, I had two sets of eyes on me. I licked my lips. “I’m going as quickly as I can, given thecircumstances.”

Mr. George grinned. “Kate, you heard the woman. My father swears by her firm.” He shrugged. “She’s salaried.” He quickly turned to me. “You aresalaried,right?”

I averted my eyes. “Moreorless.”

He turned to me and frowned. “Well, which is it? More or less? Explain.” He crossed his arms over his chest while he waited for myexplanation.

“I’m not sure I should be discussing my pay scale with you.” I could feel my palms growing sweaty and tried to rub them discreetly down my skirt. His brows rose and I knew I’dfailed.

“Okay. So, don’t discuss.” Mr. George tugged at his chin and walked around the table until he was only a few feet awayfromme.

I shrank back apprehensively. I couldn’t count the number of times my job had resulted in tantrums and violence, which was one of the reasons I was paid so well. “Yes, I think that’s best.” I nodded nervously and started to move back to my seat, hoping they’d take the hint and leave the room. Instead, Mr. George continued to study me while Kate seethed on the other side of thetable.

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