Page 15 of Rival to the Billionaire

"Fair enough. Cheers,” I say, holding up the pint. “So, I gather you checked on the room situation?” I finally allow myself to smile.

Jenny at last looks over, hazel eyes cold. "Of course I did. I called. They said they didn't have any other rooms available in the hotel."

"I told you. They’re booked up because of the conference." I sit up straighter. “I’m saying… Did you honestly think I wanted to room with you? Add you to my suite when I could just as easily pawn you off on some dusty downtown hotel ten miles out? I had plans for that suite, I'll have you know. Plans that didn't include the world's biggest buzzkill cock-blocking by just breathing the air around me."

"You want me to say I'm sorry, then." The way she says this makes me cock my head, glancing over.

"Yes," I say. "It would save time. But I won't hold my breath." I glance at her plain black purse, my mind already on the conference in Vegas. I lean in closer in my seat. "I hope you have something nice to wear tonight."

Jenny's returning gaze is guarded. "Why?"

"Because the conference always starts with a cocktail hour. And we need to show the correct image for the company. And, Forde, we both know that image is of a sexy, hip publishing company on the brink of a technological breakthrough that will put those other fuckers out of business. That's the image I want people to see when they see our team."

"Uh huh. You mean, when they 'see our team' or 'see you'?"

"Okay, so that goes without saying. Most people are going to see me. I'm hard to miss. But in this case, I'm sure they'll be seeing you soon after they lay eyes on me. Like a less interesting, more uptight sidekick."

She looks away, staring out the window, but her pink mouth pinches together. I grin and keep going.

"We're going to have to update your wardrobe on this trip, Forde. Seriously. Your glasses and little black skirt-suits? Maybe update that to a bit more of a 'come and get it' vibe."

"Jesus. I don't even want to guess what that means."

The airport gate attendant begins her announcement, so I stand. "Come on," I say, walking behind her toward the priority boarding line. "I'll explain everything when we get on the plane."

I see the narrowing of her eyes at me, but she follows behind me, still checking messages on her phone. It's the second time I'm sort of alone with Jenny this week, and it's already not off to the greatest start.

Her wall of indifference is pretty much impenetrable. And after just five minutes of trying to knock holes through it, I'm already exhausted and ready to quit.

I sigh. The plane will be leaving soon. I should be focusing on the conference and trying to convince those guys to give my company money, not waste my time trying to crack this impossible woman.

I glance over my shoulder at her. At the colorless, generic outfit she's wearing. Her perfectly manicured nails. She might as well be made of stone.

Me? In a pair of jeans and a white Henley shirt, I'm perfectly at ease. The beer I just finished and chucked in the trash certainly helps, but I'm also a natural. I thrive on chaos, tension, and being in environments packed with people I don't like—and acting like I'm having the time of my life.

But the contrast between me and her?

All around, she's rigid and demurely dressed. I'm relaxed and smoothly casual.

And it makes me wonder… Is Jenny Forde like this behind closed doors as well?

The Jenny I knew as a young child would've been one of the first to come up with an idea to prank these annoying, stuck-up sorority girls at the gate.

But not today.

Today, she's sober and just about as intimidating as a forlorn piece of ice. Somewhere along the line, something changed.

The thought stays with me as we enter the walkway towards the plane.

I'm one of the first to get on the plane, and she's right behind me.

We take our seats in the first row, and I take out my phone and text Derek.

If I return to Seattle after this trip with one less ball, it'll be your fault

He texts back immediately.

There's a pool going on in the office that says you'll return with two less than when you left. Good luck out there. Try not to kill each other, okay? I have a case of merlot ?? riding on your staying in one piece

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