Page 2 of Convenient Rivals

“I think I could help diversify your team of personal trainers, and bring in more business. So, what do you say, Greg?”

It took all of his willpower not to roll his eyes.

“I say thanks for coming in. I’ve got a few more people to see, and you’ll hear from me by the end of next week.”

“I need to get back to those other offers by Monday. Any chance you could make a decision before then?”

The guy had balls, Gregory had to give him that.

“Let me sleep on it over the weekend. It’s certainly been an interesting discussion,Brad.”

Gregory stood up to show the interview was over, and walked towards the conference room door. Of course, Brad jumped up and opened the door for him, gesturing for him to go first with his meaty paws. The guy had hands like shovels. Hot images of sweating and panting flashed through Gregory’s mind, but before his imagination could wander any further down Inappropriate Avenue, he saw Brad to the lift, shaking his hand before saying goodbye.

“A word, Hannah,” he said, walking back to his office.

He heard Hannah following him, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh, so he turned and glared at her. She cracked up laughing as they entered his office. Gregory loved this place; it was like a sanctuary to him. Yes, it was ostentatious in terms of size, but he had everything here: a desk with all his screens to work on, and more screens on the wall for gaming; a sofa he could sleep on, and his own bathroom; a fridge and cupboard full of his favourite snacks. He never had to leave this room, and sometimes he didn’t for days at a time. If he was developing something new for the business, he could run on a couple of hours sleep. It was usually one of his best friends who dragged him home and enforced socialising on him. It didn’t matter what it was, Gregory was always a hundred percent in with anything that interested him.

“Please tell me Chad is nothing like Brad,” he said, sitting behind his desk.

Hannah took a chair in front, still sniggering.

“Are you done?”

“I’m sorry, but your face...”

“Is cute and adorable, I know.”

“Oh. My. God! Did you just make a joke?”

“It has been known,” he deadpanned.

“Jason is rubbing off on you.”

“Please never say that again.”

Hannah looked momentarily confused and then cracked up laughing again. He couldn’t help but join her, although he was not a laugh-out-loud kind of guy, so it was more of a smiling grunt. At least, that’s how Jason described it.

“To answer your question... Chad is definitely nothing like Brad. He’s morereal,as you put it. The team thought it was worth you meeting Brad, given he has a good following on social media.”

“It’s only fifty thousand. I follow people who have ten times that and only show cat videos.”

“You have social media?”

“I can look without having a public profile.”

“Hmmm... This is an interesting development I’ll have to share with Jason later.”

“Don’t you dare.” He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean later?”

“He’s taking you out for lunch. Wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“I can’t. I have interviews.”

“Chad is the last one, and then your diary is clear. I made sure of it. Just meet your brother.”

“What’s Barty got to do with this?”

“Not that arsehole,” she said, with a look of disgust. “Jason, one of yourrealbrothers.”

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