Page 760 of One More Kiss

Riley

Somehow,we make it through the next day without an embarrassing incident. Naomi must have gotten laid last night because she is in a good mood.

I keep checking my phone, reading messages my mom sends me. Dad is doing great and walking around on crutches today. That he’s doing better makes me smile and eases the ache in my chest. My parents mean the world to me. If I were to lose them, I’m not sure what I would do.

Everything seems fantastic, and for the first time since the project started, I’m excited about tomorrow. We’re about to pack up for the day when William comes strutting into the room. He’s like Nicholas in many ways, same height, same dark brooding features, and a face that is model-worthy, sculpted from stone, and all that good stuff. The only difference is he’s easier going, the jokester, you could say.

“Hey, team! I hope my brother isn’t boring you all to death.” Nicholas shoots his brother a death stare, and I almost giggle. William ignores his brother’s glare, as if he doesn’t see it, and continues. “Did you tell them yet, Naomi?”

“No, I was waiting patiently for you to come in and announce it.” She smiles seductively.

William grins and claps his hands together. “Well, the fundraiser wasn’t planned until a month from now, but the Grand Lux Hotel had a spot open up last minute, which means we are moving it to next weekend.”

“I already sent invites out. The mayor will be there, and basically everyone who matters.” Naomi beams, clapping her hands together like a seal at Sea World.

Maybe I should throw a dead fish at her and see if she catches it.

“Of course, you’re all expected to be there. I also want you to get together for a little fun presentation to show our possible donors. I’ll be counting on your artistic talent, Ms. Moore.” He winks at me and I force a smile. Way to put the pressure on me.

“Thanks for dropping by, William,” Nicholas grits, clearly wanting his brother to leave. Luckily, he catches the hint and heads for the door.

“Catch you later, and keep up the good work, guys,” he calls before disappearing into the hallway.

“So, Mr. Brooks.” Naomi’s breathy voice makes me nauseated. I’m half tempted to plug my ears, but I want to hear what bullshit she asks or says next. “Since it’s short notice, it’s going to be hard to find a plus one. The project could use the extra press, so I figured us going together would be the best solution to that.”

Without meaning to, I snort. It’s not a cute, adorable snort either. No, it’s a two-hundred-pound pig kind of snort.

Naomi turns to me. Her flirty demeanor has vanished and is replaced by that of a T-Rex staring me down, ready to rip my limbs from my body. I can basically see the laser beams shooting out from her eyes and into me. She looks like she wants to kill me.

“I’m so sorry. It must be impossible for you to find a plus one, no matter the time frame,” she says through her teeth, keeping her tone right on the edge of bitchy.

Damn, she’s good at this.

“I’ll be bringing my boyfriend. You know, a person who stays with you for more than a few days because they actually enjoy your company.” I don’t know where those thoughts fly out of, but now they’re out there, I have to commit. I chance a glance at Nicholas and see the irritation clearly on his face.

“Excuse me,” she huffs, her heavy chest rising and falling rapidly.

“As amusing as it would be to watch you two squabble, we’re adults. I need you to act like it,” Nicholas snaps, while the other two guys in the room awkwardly clear their throats.

Oh God, he is right. We’ve been acting like we’re back in high school.

“I’m sorry, sir. You’re right, that was very unprofessional of me. I apologize, Naomi.”

“Apology accepted.” She smiles widely, but doesn’t apologize in return.

I clench my teeth and force a smile, reminding myself to be the better person. Women like Naomi will try to tear you down at the first chance they get, especially if there is an opportunity for personal gain.

The meeting flies by after that, the same updates given, and the progress discussed. Nicholas seems to like what I’ve done, but he isn’t forthcoming with praise. I should just accept something like that from him, but in the same instance, I feel stung, which is ridiculous.

“Ms. Moore, a word please,” Nicholas says, as everyone is filing out of the room.

Naomi glances back, but I don’t pay her any mind. She’s going to be watching me like a hawk from now on, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I can’t engage with someone like her, it’s a losing battle.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Brooks?” I ask, bag and coat in hand, ready to boltright after he says what he needs.

“The aesthetic of the patient rooms. I want to go with the twilight blue instead of the nautical. Also, I think we should do tones of blue throughout.”

My eyebrows raised at the thought he’s put into this. William doesn’t care what the design looks like, as long as it’s clean and relevant. Nicholas seems too involved in this.

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