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Morgan frowned and looked at Reese. “I did expect someone named Daniel.”
Reese sighed. “Call my boss. His name is Kevin. This was a last-minute change and trust me—” She looked at Sterling when she said this. “—completely unplanned.”
Morgan looked between them. “I don’t think you really need security for this, Sterling. I’ll call Kevin at Azul and check on things. I’ve been with Reese the last twenty minutes and I think I’d know if she was some kind of threat. This will give you two a minute to work out whatever this is. Does that work, James?”
He looked hesitant but nodded. Morgan closed the sliding door leading into Sterling’s bedroom, giving Reese a scorching look over her shoulder. She better not lose her job over this. I mean, the goal was to branch out and go solo or have a small team starting with her and Staci, but they weren’t ready. Not yet.
Sterling held up two fingers. “You’ve got two minutes to explain what’s going on. I’m not happy with what I hear, you’re out. I don’t care what Morgan says or what your boss says.”
Reese tried to channel her most professional face. “I understand. I’ll start with now and work backwards. Okay?”
He nodded but his stony expression didn’t change. Instead he leaned against the built-in wardrobe next to his bed, his muscles flexing against his fitted black shirt.
FOCUS.
Reese looked away from his incredible biceps and focused her gaze on his also incredible eyes. This was going to be more difficult than she thought. She cleared her throat.
“Originally, my co-worker Daniel was supposed to be your social media manager. But his wife just found out she’s on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. He needed to stay, so my boss asked me to fill in. I said yes before I knew it was you.” She held up three fingers. “I don’t know if this is even the right gesture, but scout’s honor. I did not plan to be here.”
Still no change in expression. Reese sighed and looked at the floor.
“As for the other night, I have to chalk that up to alcohol. This is embarrassing but I don’t drink. Like, ever. Even making it through four years at a party school and out hearing music on Sixth Street, I didn’t drink. Anyway, I’m rambling. I do that sometimes. I was a little nervous about the meet and greet. So, I had a glass of wine beforehand. Which was, apparently, one glass too many. You had the pleasure of meeting tipsy Reese, who will hopefully never be making an appearance again. In my life.”
“How’d you get in? I checked the list. No one named Reese was on it.”
She shifted on her feet, not wanting to explain how she had found out about the meet-and-greet and managed to get an image of the passes used to make up fake ones for her and Staci. She had told herself at the time that it wasn’t exactly lying or cheating. She never thought it would really be a big deal.
“Um, do you really want to know?”
“Probably not. But if it’s a security issue, then maybe I should.”
“How about I talk to security about how to prevent any more enterprising people like myself from getting into those events?”
“That would be good. So, is that all?”
Reese nodded. “That about covers it. Other than me apologizing profusely and telling you that this very professional—if a bit rambling—woman in front of you will be an amazing asset to your team. I’m smart and I can help you. I’d also love to not lose my job.”
Sterling seemed to consider. Whether because she was so caught up in his attractiveness or because he was simply hard to read, Reese had no guesses as to what he was thinking.
“What about all that other stuff you said at the meet-and-greet? Marrying me?”
Reese knew her face was turning kind of horrible splotchy red. Other girls looked cute blushing. She always looked like she was breaking out in a rash. Or hives. She could see Sterling’s gaze flickering over her cheeks and neck. She fanned herself with her hands.
“About that. I’m a fan. Have been since you started. I may have planned out our wedding when I was fourteen. But I was fourteen. I have no idea why that came out of my mouth when I met you. It was like a sudden flashback. Again, I blame the wine. Plus, I never thought I’d see you again. If I knew I would be working for you, I wouldn’t have even come to that stupid thing. Not that you’re stupid or that events are stupid—never mind.”
Sterling seemed unfazed by her flustered talk. Reese needed to find a way to dam up the flow of words that kept pouring out every time she opened her mouth.
“Are you good at your job?” Sterling asked.
“The best. Daniel would have sucked if he had come. He doesn’t even like your music. I heard him on more than one occasion call it ‘ear-splitting’ and ‘derivative.’”
Sterling flinched. Reese covered her mouth with her hand. Worst plea for a job ever.
“No more talk about marrying me?” Sterling said.
Reese must have been imagining the way his mouth turned up at the corner. “No more marriage talk.”
Sterling uncrossed his arms and stepped toward her. How did he somehow pull off both hot and menacing at the same time? And why was he standing so close? The hair on her arms stood up. She could smell the musk from his cologne. When he spoke, his breath teased her cheek and she shivered where she stood.
