Page 63 of When Glitter Meets Gold

Drew nods in aSo?kind of way. “Let’s just say I think she’s better off without some silver-spoon jerk who treats her like she’s some shallow-minded schemer.”

The only thing J can do is visualize himself at Midas and think about how much he doesn’t want a repeat of that. He does his best not to react to this guy’s insults, taking a steadying breath instead.

“You said you were on the hike with her?” J asks, releasing his white-knuckled fists from within his pockets as he drifts toward some level of calm.

“No,” Drew replies, smirking. “I said I was in her hotel room when she got back.”

Another comment J could have gone without hearing again. It bugged him the first time he heard it, and it bugged him now.

Who is this guy? And was he really in Sara’s hotel room?

Before he can sicken himself further with images of Sara and another man, the boardroom door swings open.

“Great to finally meet you. I’m Walter Schneider.” A man in a gray suit strides to shake his hand while Drew makes an exit. “Kirby has just filled me in with your proposal and I couldn’t be happier that you’ve decided to enlist our expertise.”

Sara slips in behind Walter looking pleased with herself.J can’t decide what kind of relationship the two of them have, but from the way this guy didn’t even hold open the boardroom door for her gives him a decent understanding of how things run around this place.

“I have preliminary paperwork here for you to sign,” Walter says, producing a document along with a pen.

J raises an eyebrow. They’d barely passed introductions and the guy was asking him to put pen to paper? He flashes a look at Sara who appears undeniably mortified. She rolls her eyes, mouthingsorryfrom behind her boss.

J smirks, places both hands in his pockets as he steps toward Walter, not intending to tower over the guy but doing it anyway by default of his size.

“Enthusiastic.” J nods. “That’s great, I like that. Why don’t I leave you my secretary’s details? Forward the paperwork, and I’ll make it my priority to look over at some point today.”

Walter looks less than pleased but arranges his features to seem agreeable none the less.

“I’ll have someone return these, signed I’m sure, by the end of the day,” J says. It’s a more generous offer than he’d give to most, but something about the way Sara suddenly looks nervous makes him want to move the process along. He’s immediately unsure of this Walter dude. Bad energy all round. He’d have to keep an eye on him.

“Nonsense.” Walter chuckles. “Let us do the legwork.” He turns to Sara. “Kirby doesn’t have plans, I’m sure. She’ll pass by your office after work and pick them up.”

J feels his knuckles tighten in his pockets. He knows Walter isn’t leaving anything to chance by sending someone to collect the contracts on the off-chance J should string out the process. It was just good business practice. His gripe is with the way he demands Sara’s time without asking herfirst. Did he know for sure she didn’t have plans after work? Or did he just expect her to become available when he wanted?

J's about to reject the offer when Sara runs her fingers through her hair and speaks up.

“I don’t have plans. I can come by.” She shrugs, appearing genuinely indifferent, which makes J relax a little.

“Great, then it’s settled.” Walter’s face lights up like a Griswold family Christmas tree. “Welcome aboard Vandenberg.” He shakes his hand again before exiting the boardroom.

Sara waits for the door to close before throwing her head back and sighing with exasperation. “Ugh, he is so pushy. He’s like that with everyone. Hey, I don’t have to come by your office tonight if you’re not ready to sign anything.” She talks a hundred miles per hour. “I mean it’s so embarrassing, I’m sure you want your legal team to look over things first before you make a final decision. You know what, I won’t come. Just take your time.”

And pass up the chance to see her again?Not fucking happening.

“No.”

“No?” Sara frowns.

“I don’t need time.” J smirks handing her his phone. “Put your number in there, I’ll text you the address for later.”

As she takes his phone and punches in her number, he can’t help but enjoy the rush of adrenaline that courses through him. It wasn’t a date, but he’s managed to lock in more time with her, time to get to know her, time to figure her out, which above all, is the thing he wants the most.

She hands him back the phone, their fingers brushing in the passing. “I guess I’ll see you tonight.”

Tonight.

His mind goes into overdrive and all he wants to do is make a damn reservation, tell her to put on the sexiest dress she owns, and let him spoil her like she deserves.

He’d stick to the rules, however. Business only, for now.

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