Page 13 of Saving the CEO

“You make it sound like a bad thing.” He tapped his fingers on his knee, his irritation on full display. “Are you implying that I’m hard to get along with?”

“No, not you, specifically. But think about it. When you have two individuals who both speak their minds all the time, who’s going to listen? You need balance in a relationship. You’d be better off with a woman who’s softer around the edges. Trust me on this, Devin. I’ve been matching couples for a while now. I know what combination works.”

“If you know what works so well, why don’t I see a ring onyourfinger?”

A flash of heat raced up Scarlett’s neck and settled in her cheeks. A mixture of disdain and embarrassment tightened her chest and made it hard to breathe. It took every ounce of resolve in her heart to not tear up. She hadn’t cried over her ex since they broke up five years ago; why was she on the verge of crying now? Probably because Devin was a master at pushing her buttons and he’d just zeroed in on her most sensitive one. No matter. God loved and accepted her—fractured heart and all—and she didn’t need any man’s approval to feel okay about herself.

She raised her chin with as much confidence as she could muster. “If you must know, I was engaged once.”

“What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

His surprisingly gentle tone made it easier to look him in the eye. “Long story short, his family didn’t think I was good enough for them. They’re all involved in politics, and I didn’t fit the mold of what they wanted in a daughter-in-law.”

“That’s harsh. Did your ex think the same way?”

“Not at first. He wasn’t like the rest of his family when we met in college, but things changed after graduation. His parents got him working on a campaign for a local senator. That’s when he started thinking more about money, prestige, and power. Before that, we’d had an entirely different future planned out. We were going to get married, and he’d become a legal aid lawyer to help the disadvantaged. I was going to stay home with the kids, and we’d be the perfect middle-class American family,” she added with a bittersweet smile.

“With your 2.5 kids, living in a house with a white picket fence?”

Scarlett rolled her eyes at his light, teasing tone. “Yes. And a dog. You forgot to mention the dog.”

“Ah, yes, Fido. My apologies to the sweet beast.”

His deadpan delivery had her cracking a smile. “Well, it’s obvious now what your lie was. You don’t like animals. So, you must not have wanted to be a zookeeper when you were young.”

“That was actually true. I wanted to work at the zoo until I realized at age ten how smelly the animals can be. But I still have membership and make it a point to go at least once a year.”

Scarlett blinked. She sure had read him wrong. If that was the case … “Then your lie is that you go to the gym?”

“Correct.”

She gave him a thorough once-over, her gaze traveling from his broad shoulders to his toned chest that stretched the material of his shirt, and down to his strong, masculine hands. Every inch of him was toned and fit. She knew some people had good genes, but there was no way he woke up like this. If the silence stretching between them hadn’t been verging on awkward, she might have stared longer. Instead, she forced her gaze up to his equally attractive face. “You could’ve fooled me. How did you get all your muscles then?”

“I didn’t say I don’t go to the gym at all. I go every day, not every other day—that part was the lie.”

“Oh! Well, that totally makes more sense. Of course, you’d need to go every day to look that hot—” She clamped her mouth shut. There were no words to express the extent of her mortification. “Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“I didn’t hear anything,” he quipped, “but I appreciate the compliment.”

Scarlett gulped, her cheeks flaming hot. So much for being professional and in control. She needed to stay alert around this man before she got herself in any more trouble.

“I think I have all the information I need from you. Thanks again for coming in today.” She rose to her feet, giving Devin a hint that their meeting was over. When he didn’t budge, she clarified: “I’m sure you have a very busy schedule. You’re free to go now, Mr. Kendall.”

“That’s too bad. I was just starting to have fun.” His tone reflected the mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He stood up and headed for the door, then paused when he got there. “Come to think of it, Ms. Hayes, you’re someone who speaks her mind. You’re not exactly the type of woman I’m looking for, but you’re not far from it, and we get along well. I rest my case.”

Scarlett burst out with a laugh. “You can’t be serious. We hardly agree on anything. We’re like oil and water, or more like oil and fire.”

He narrowed his gaze at her and smirked. “As long as we stay away from water, we’ll be fine. Good day, Ms. Hayes.”

Good day, her foot. What kind of logic was that? The only positive thing Scarlett could think of as she rolled her eyes was,At least the man has impeccable taste.

CHAPTER7

Devin

Devin had discovered something he liked about Scarlett—seeing her squirm.He couldn’t stop replaying the scene from her office a few days ago when he’d called her out for ogling him.

Even now as he drove home from work, he could picture her wide eyes and red cheeks. The best part was that he hadn’t even been trying to goad her; she’d slipped up on her own. And what a good gaffe it’d been. After that, Scarlett had only offered him a small, polite smile when they parted ways. Devin didn’t mind the change in attitude. If it helped speed up this matchmaking process, it would be a benefit to them both. She’d win that ridiculous contest with her sisters, and he’d ensure the family business stayed in the right hands.

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