Page 63 of Falling For My Ex's Brother

DYLAN

I felt marginally betterafter apologizing to Lana about the restaurant. It helped that she didn’t seem too happy with Laura flirting with me the way she always did.

Jealousy was good. I could work with that.

“Man, I love this idea. Collabs like this can really put a place on the map,” Brent said, tapping his fingers on the shiny conference table at the Berman office. “And you didn’t even need help to come up with the plan.”

“The agency and some of the work they’ve done gave me the idea, though. And they’re going to help make it a success.”

I’d talked to the people at Emberox Spirits about a collab between them and the brewery after seeing some partnerships the agency had put together for other companies.

They wanted us to come in a couple weeks to pitch the idea.

I figured that’s where the agency could work its magic. Lana could go and help us through the pitch. She was better at that stuff than me or Brent.

And it didn’t hurt that it was a two-day trip to Colorado.

Brent and I were meeting with Alexander to review the team’s progress, so it was the perfect time to discuss our upcoming needs for the Emberox presentation.

“I think it would be great for Chelsea to accompany you on the trip. She spearheaded Clayton Wineries’ campaign and really knows her stuff,” Alexander suggested.

Chelsea was smart and professional, but she hadn’t been as involved with the campaigns as Lana had been. She didn’t know our brand as well. Besides, I wanted Lana to be there with me, not just for business reasons.

“How about Lana? She’s been the one that’s been the most involved and knows the brand. I’d feel much better if she worked the presentation and assisted with the pitch in Colorado,” I countered.

Alexander considered it before he replied, “Great point. In fact, why don’t we have Beth join too? I know the two ladies have been working hard on the brewery campaigns. It would be good to have more support with you, right?”

I tried to hide my frustration at his suggestion of Beth joining the trip. But it would’ve been a little too obvious if I insisted on just Lana.

“Perfect, it’s settled then,” I replied.

“Brent, sorry to interrupt, but you have Dwight on line one.” Alexander’s assistant gave him a look that said he needed to take it.

After a few minutes, Alexander stepped back into the conference room.

“Sorry about that, it was a call I couldn’t miss. I ran into Lana on my way back from my office and told her about the trip. She’s excited to go! She and Beth will work with you to prepare the presentation and can deliver it for you or with you, whichever you prefer.”

We finished up and went to leave, but I made a detour by Lana’s office first. She wasn’t in it, and another person saw me looking and said she’d just left for lunch. I hurried out, hoping to catch her in the parking lot.

She was hurrying through the lot, and Brent was already gone since we’d driven separately. I rushed after her.

“Lana, wait up,” I called.

She stopped and turned toward me.

“Hey, I just heard about the collab with the liquor company.”

“Yeah, it’s a really great opportunity for us,” I said. “I know you’ll do a bang-up job on the presentation, and we can relax afterwards. See some sights, if you want.”

“You don’t give up, do you?” she said, shaking her head. She smiled so I knew she didn’t hate the idea.

“I don’t, Lana. Not when it comes to you.”

As I stepped closer, a car pulled into an empty space next to us. My mood soured when I recognized it.

“Son of a bitch,” I mumbled.

Lana put her hand up, an inch from my chest. “He’s picking me up for lunch.”

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