Page 7 of Hired By the Enemy
I wait for Matthew to say something about not being surprised because I’ve always been a brainless gym bunny, but instead, he just nods.
“Oh, right.”
I pause. “So, what about you? What do I need to know?”
Matthew keeps his eyes on the road ahead as he gives methe lowdown on his company. It’s mostly stuff I already knew through the grapevine of small-town gossip.
While in college, he got an idea for an app that lets people rent out their parking spaces to those needing parking. It blew up, and he ended up quitting college and starting his company, ParkLink.
“So this retreat is for my senior management to plan our strategic vision for the next five years,” he says. “Partners are invited, and I didn’t want to be the only one without a partner, which is why I reached out to the agency.”
I frown. “I don’t get it. You’re the boss. Why does it matter what people think of you?”
Matthew scrapes a hand across his jaw. Then he taps his fingers on his steering wheel, taking his time before answering.
“I don’t know, maybe I care too much about what people think because of my childhood? You know, like the time when everyone else in the class was invited to a birthday party besides me?” He doesn’t look at me as he says the words.
Heat hits my face.
Yeah, I remember exactly what he’s referring to. At ten, I thought that was the ultimate in my campaign against Matthew, to invite everyone else in our class besides him to my birthday party, knowing he’d be able to hear the sounds of everyone having a good time from his house.
If I remember correctly, he got me back by exploding a homemade glitter bomb in my school bag. I had sparkles turning up in random places for months.
An awkward silence descends over the car. I stare out at the scenery—we’ve now hit the coast and the turquoise ocean expands out as far as the eye can see—but my mind is full of all the ways Matthew and I managed to torment each other over the years.
Finally, he turns into the driveway of a resort with adiscreet sign:Serenity Bay Resort. I can’t help ogling out the window at the thatched-roof luxurious bungalows surrounded by palm trees. This place is really just a tropical island brochure brought to life.
“I’ll show you the villa first,” Matthew says as he pulls into a parking lot. “Then we’ll hang out by the pool for a bit, and there’s a dinner tonight, which you’ll need to attend with me.”
He glances at me, and I see a trace of vulnerability on his face. I blink because a vulnerable Matthew is something I’ve very rarely seen over the years. He’s always put on a superior I’m-so-much-smarter-than-you front around me.
I suddenly realize how important this is to him. This is his company, his people. He’s worried that I’m going to go rogue and screw things up for him.
And okay, I admit screwing things up for Matthew was my number one priority for a number of years, but I’m not a complete jerk.
“I’ve got this,” I say. “I can keep it professional, promise.”
He gives a stiff nod. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
Chapter Four
It goes against every sentient cell in my body to admit it, but Liam is absolutely perfect.
His incredible good looks and his ability to charm the underwear off a nun, which was directed at recruiting people against me when we were growing up, are working in my favor for the first time.
He lazes on one of the loungers scattered around the infinity pool, chatting with my colleagues and their partners.
Everyone is oriented toward him, trying to get their share of his charm, although their attention might be partly focused on him because the sight of Liam in boardshorts is up there with one of the Wonders of the World.
I’ve always considered myself immune to his good looks because I know the personality lurking beneath, but I can’t deny he’s gorgeous. Messy medium-brown hair, hazel eyes, and a strong jawline. His skin is that perfect honey-bronzed tone of the naturally sun-kissed, like he’s the child of Helios, the god of the sun. He’s a personal trainer, so you’d expect him to have agood body, but the rippled muscles and the tantalizing hint of a V is next-level mouth-watering perfection.
I’m just starting to think that having Liam here might not be a complete catastrophe when Paul arrives at the pool, a towel casually slung over his neck.
I can’t help my shoulders stiffening.
Paul is good at his job, but he’s just started to make small digs at me disguised as jokes. It’s stuff that would seem pathetic if I called him out on it, but they’re starting to add up.
Maybe I’m overly sensitive because of my childhood spent dodging attacks from Liam. But with Liam and me, there was simple out-and-out animosity, not this subtle campaign of terror Paul’s leading, where he pretends to be supportive while chipping away at my authority. I have no idea what to do about it, how to reassert myself around someone with twenty years more corporate experience than me.
