Page 10 of Last Chance Seduction
She had more freckles than any other Montgomery I knew, and didn’t bother covering them up most days seeing as she was out in the field with only sunscreen as her makeup.And considering her twin older brothers, Nate and James were constantly around, ensuring that Brooklyn never had a date, I understood why Brooklyn made jokes about marrying into the family.
“Montgomery Mafia?That’s a good one.”
Brooklyn rolled her eyes.“It’s what Lance called us.”
“Lance?”I asked, leaning forward.“Do I have to kick his ass?”
“No.My brothers already decided to do that.Lance was only four dates, and then he met the Montgomerys.Not even all of us, just two of them.And it was an issue.”
“Do your brothers know?”
“Do they know that I kicked him to the curb?Or that he ran away because he was afraid of the Montgomerys?I don’t really know which, and we’re just going to pretend that I did it on my own.Duke is at least able to stand up to us,” she added, speaking of her current boyfriend.
“If a guy can’t handle our family, then he’s not worth handling,” Jamie said with a shrug.
“Is there someone I need to worry about with you?”
“You know, this is the problem with working with family.Because if this was an actual place of employment, I’d have to talk with HR.But I think I’m HR,” she said with a blink.
“Maybe we should write that into our bylaws.That Montgomery boys can’t ruin the Montgomery girls’ dates.”
“Here here,” Brooklyn said as she toasted her coffee cup in the air.
“Oh am I outnumbered?I’m not usually outnumbered,” I mumbled.
“It’s because the rest of them are out on the project site, and you’re stuck with us.So, how are the bids going?”Brooklyn asked, all business.
I sighed.“So far we’re three for four,” I answered, explaining each of the projects that had already signed us on.Jamie took notes, and I knew she would have everything set up for our major meeting next week.
“What’s the fourth?”
“The Arnaults account.”
“Oh, I so want that estate.Can you just imagine the crowns if I could get my hands on them.Do you think we actually have a chance?”
I looked down at my sandwich, suddenly no longer hungry.
“Wait, Arnault as in Gia Arnault?”Jamie asked, and I looked up at my two cousins who gave each other a look.I did not want to see the pity on their faces.
“Yes, as in my ex-girlfriend Gia.As in the one who left me for another man and seems happy.”
“Well at least you didn’t break her heart or anything.”Brooklyn winced.“I just meant that if it’s her father that has to make the decision, he’s not going to hate you, is he?”
“I don’t think so, but the meeting’s coming up, and I’m going to have to grovel most likely.”
“Because she cheated on you?”Jamie asked.
“There’s a huge holiday retreat coming up, and I’m going.”
“You got the invite?”Brooklyn asked, and Jamie beamed.
“I have skills,” she said with a laugh.
“Skills I’m grateful for, and I don’t want to know what kind of favors you had to pull.”
“HR!”Jamie called out.
“So yes, I’m going to go to this event, I’m going to work on the bid, and I’m going to hopefully not have to deal with Gia at all.It’s not like she’s ever been to that estate.Her dad never let her be part of the business.”
