Page 40 of Rival Desires

I stepped through the glass doors into the office lobby, the enticing aromas of freshly baked bread and roasted vegetables wafting from the giant takeout bag clutched in my hand. I had stopped at the cozy little cafe around the corner, my favorite lunch spot in the neighborhood, to pick up an assortment of sandwiches and sides for the team.

As I ambled down the corridor, heads began popping up from their cubicle fortresses, and office doors opened as my coworkers caught wind of the delicious aroma. By the time I shoved open the break room door, nearly everyone had congregated, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Good morning, troops!” I greeted them cheerily, slamming the overstuffed bag onto the table. My teammates wasted no time divvying up the edible gold, cooing over the flawless BLTs, the crisp garden salads, and the toasty warm sourdough rolls.

I plopped down at the table, eyeing my employees as they chowed down on the food. They’d been busting their humps,and I figured a little treat would do them good. Plus, after the rollercoaster ride I’d just been on at the Seaworth house, I needed to spread some positive vibes.

Nadine’s moves made sense, in a cold, calculating kind of way, but I’d been blindsided by Cory’s presence and that proposal she’d dropped in my lap. I’d flipped through it in the car while waiting for my order, my brain whirling like a hamster on a wheel.

Now, here I was, surrounded by happy munching and the low buzz of chatter, weighing my options. Should I go all in, Cory-style, or shake things up with a little creativity? Both approaches had their perks and pitfalls. The old reliables were tried and true for a reason, but sometimes, stepping off the beaten path led to some seriously sweet payoffs. I’d always tried to find a nice balance, especially for the big accounts like Seaworth, which usually gave me more wiggle room. But this little competition with Cory meant we were working on a tighter schedule.

Mallory popped up beside me, looking a bit worried. “How ‘bout some protein to go with that lunch?” she asked, giving my neglected plate a not-so-subtle glance.

I grabbed a grape and tossed it in my mouth. “Nah, I’m good, thanks.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she wasn’t the type to push it. We hadn’t worked together long enough for her to get all up in my business just yet. She kept a watchful eye on me as I nibbled on a few more things from my plate. Once I’d eaten enough to ease her worries, I got up and waved everyone to continue their lunch.

I had a plan brewing, and I needed Sergio’s input to make it happen.

“Sergio, swing by my office when you’re done eating,” I said, flashing a friendly smile. “There’s no rush, just whenever you’re ready.”

I made a quick exit before anyone could start asking questions. Sergio was my new go-to guy for delicate matters, and I wanted his take on my strategy. Plus, I figured maybe he knew what Cory might be planning.

While I waited for Sergio, I jotted down the idea that had been swirling in my head. As I saw it come to life on paper, my confidence started to build. I wasn’t sure if Nadine would approve, but this was exactly what I promised all my clients: a unique approach from a fresh perspective. If she wanted something more traditional, then maybe Gracen & McCrae would be more her speed.

I looked up from my jottings as a knock on my open door brought me back to the present. There, leaning against the doorway like a bored model, was Sergio. I had to resist the urge to chuckle at his effortless pose— the guy could make a stack of dirty dishes look like high fashion.

“Take a load off.” I gestured to the chairs opposite my side of the desk.

“Are we having one of those ‘hush-hush’ chats?” His smirk was almost too much, and I could practically hear the air quotes around his words.

Instead of giving in to an eye roll, I kept my voice even. “Yeah, yeah. Just close the door, will you?”

He obliged and then strolled over, strutting like he was on a catwalk. I intentionally kept my focus on the scattered papers until he took a seat.

“So, I had a little tete-a-tete with Nadine Seaworth this morning,” I started, explaining the competition she’d whipped up and the rules and objectives. Once I’d finished dishing out the details, I slid the papers I’d slapped together across the desk. “This is my plan of attack, and I’d love your help on this.”

“Well, don’t I feel like the chosen one?” Sergio grinned at me, his eyes flickering to my lips for a sizzling second before bouncing back up to meet my gaze. “I’m guessing we’ll spend some quality time together under the midnight sun?” I felt the tension in my jaw as I forced myself to unclench my teeth. “Hey, I’m not complaining,” he said, palms up. “Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.”

“Great,” I said, gesturing to the papers he was holding. “How about you take those back to your cave and spend the afternoon poring over them? I’m curious to hear your take on what works and what needs a tweak.”

He puffed up like a peacock, sitting a little straighter in his chair. “No problem. I’m always down to take a gander at those documents for you.”

Unfortunately, his grin had a bit too much mischief dancing in it for my liking.

“In fact, I’d be stoked to give anything of yours a thorough once-over.”

I exhaled, trying my best to keep my cool. “Sergio, let’s just focus on the job and leave the jokes in your back pocket, alright?” His smirk softened into a more genuine smile, and he raised hishands in a peaceful gesture. “Apologies, ma’am. I didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers.”

“It’s all good, I believe you.” Well, I hoped I did. Confidence is key in our line of work, so I had to give Sergio props for that, even if his swagger bordered on cocky. Maybe he was one of those guys who couldn’t help but flirt and needed a gentle reminder to tone it down. I added, “And hey, we’re up against Gracen & McCrae for this account, so I need to know if there’s anything they might consider that I haven’t.”

Sergio flashed a grin. “Don’t worry. I’m one step ahead of them. You see, I have some dirt on Nadine.”

I leaned in, eager for details. “So, give me the lowdown on Nadine Seaworth. What’s her deal?”

Sergio crossed his leg, propping his ankle on his knee like he was posing for GQ or something. The guy sure knew how to work a pair of patent leather shoes.

“We met at a swanky party my old firm threw a few years back,” he said, lost in the memory. “Nadine’s got that 007 Bond Girl vibe, you know? Classy and drop-dead gorgeous, especially for her age. And get this…shemade the first move on me. Can you believe it?”

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