Page 80 of Claiming Her Cougar
Everyone is smiling, so I guess my ideas made sense.
“Total dream team,” Mike says, smiling down the table at us.
Liam drums his fingers on the table.Is he nervous?
“It’s early days still, and we should be able to provide more details and plans in a few weeks as more pieces fall into place,” Will says.“However, we wanted to bring you three in now to give you the heads up.We’ll make a formal announcement upstairs when we know more.The role the three of you will have is not a secret, but it’s not common knowledge yet.Any questions?”
“Are we remaining Morgan Development employees, or is the joint venture a separate entity?”Miller asks.
“Still Morgan,” Will says with a smile.“You’re our all-stars.We’re not letting you get away!”
Jake leans in.“The joint venture is going to be a separate entity, but the leasing will remain in Morgan’s purview.”
“Will we get an employee discount to use the rink?”Ben asks with a laugh.
Liam turns to Teagan and Jake.“Ben has twins in pee-wee hockey and has to go to Voorhees for practices and ice time.”
Teagan grins at Ben.“The three of us love hockey, and part of the reason for wanting a rink in the pier is so that we can help support and establish youth hockey here at the shore.We hope teams will make the pier their home base and cut out the commute.You’ll definitely get a discount.”
“Any other questions?”Mike asks.There are head shakes around the table.“I guess we’re done then.Thanks for coming down,” he says to us.“Thanks for coming in,” he says to Teagan and Jake.We all rise, and handshakes are exchanged.
“Want to join us at Francisco’s?”Teagan asks as we shake hands.Her gaze includes Ben and Miller.
I wasn’t expecting that.I glance to Liam.He gives a quick lift of his brows.What the hell?
“Sure.Let me run upstairs and get my purse.I’ll meet you guys there?”
“Sounds like a plan,” Teagan says.
“I brought lunch, but thanks,” Miller says.
“Me too, and I use my lunch break to study.I’m in law school,” Ben says.
I leave the conference room behind Ben and Miller.We take the elevator upstairs, so we have a moment alone.
“Wow,” Miller says, “wasn’t expecting that.”
“I know, so cool,” Ben says.“Have you known Teagan long, Mallory?”
“No.Just a few weeks.I went to a Flyers game and sat in the Morgan box.She and Jake were there as friends of Liam’s.I didn’t realize she was a Penhall.We had a casual conversation about shopping centers needing to be more than just retail to stay relevant in the age of online shopping.I didn’t realize this was going to come from that.”
“Good job making an impression!You had some great ideas too.I’m looking forward to working together on this,” Miller says.
The elevator reaches our floor, and we exit to return to our own spaces.I grab my purse and head back downstairs.Liam is waiting in the lobby.
“Want to ride together?”he asks.
I look around to see if anyone’s nearby, but we’re alone.
“I’m only having lunch.I meant it when I said I wasn’t going to be your nooner,” I warn him with a flirtatious wink.
Liam doesn’t laugh.“No nooner.Just lunch.I fly right back out.”
“Okay, but I’m driving.”I’m teasing.I doubt he’ll fit in my MINI Cooper.To my surprise, he agrees.
I can’t do that to him—he’ll have to fold himself like a pretzel to fit in there.
“I was just kidding.We can take your truck.”I bump his biceps with my shoulder as we cross the parking lot.
