“Oh, Nick. Always such a flirt,” Phyllis said.
Realizing that she needed to make her presence known before Nick stole the show, Jessie shouldered her way in to their cozy circle. “I’ve never met an ad man who wasn’t. But Nick is a master!”
“You’re certainly right about that,” Phyllis said. “Thank you, you two, for doing this. I know it’s an awkward situation I’ve put you into.”
Jessie waved her comment away. “No problem. It sounds like we’re going to be working very closely in the future. Might as well present a solid front now!”
“Indeed,” Nick added. “The only thing that matters is that your company is successful. We won’t let our egos get in the way of that.”
“Good, good … Jessie, let me introduce you around. There are some people here you need to meet. Nick, you’ll come with us, won’t you?”
After the introductions were over Nick excused himself and Jessie found herself sitting alone at the table. Picking up her long-neglected glass of champagne, she took a good look at her surroundings. She couldn’t believe how many of the women were wearing the kind of designer gowns she’d only seen in fashion magazines. They were all thoroughbred-thin, their brittle expressions weighed down by heavy make-up. Circulating around them were dozens of self-important businessmen, their wealth apparent in the size of their Rolexes and the youth of the women on their arms.
She didn’t belong here. At all.
Even the music was wrong. There was a band playing, but the songs they played were old and slow. Nothing like the dance music that blared in the clubs she liked.
She gulped down the last of the bubbly liquid and opened her black satin clutch to peek at the clock on her phone. Only an hour had passed. She definitely couldn’t leave yet. But perhaps she could find herself another drink.
Just as she was about to push away from the table a suave gray-haired man approached.
“Is anyone sitting here?”
“You are,” she said, hoping she looked less intimidated than she felt.
“Great.” He pulled out the chair. “I’m Brad Thornton.”
She knew she should know that name, but her mind was drawing a blank.
“It’s nice to meet you, Brad. I’m …”
“Jessie Owens—the digital marketing sensation. I know.”
“How did you …?”
He smiled. “I know everything that goes on in this town. Especially when it concerns one of my clients.”
Everything fell into place. She looked at her empty glass, wishing she could have a quick sip of champagne to settle her nerves.
“Oh, so you’re Nick’s …?”
“Father. And, for at least a little while longer, the head of Thornton & Co.”
Crap. This was one conversation she wasn’t prepared for. “I’ve always admired your agency’s work,” she said, grabbing at conversational straws.
He relaxed back into his seat. “I wish I could say the same about yours, but I don’t have any idea what you’ve done.”
Jessie wondered if she should be insulted by his ignorance. Either way, the man deserved to be taken down a peg or two. “Well, you will soon enough! We’re in charge of the launch for the Natural Goddess line—as I’m sure your son told you.”
His face darkened. “I know. And I am not thrilled. But we have been resting on our laurels a bit. It was about time for someone like you to come along and shake us up.”
Jessie let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “You’re not angry?”
His mouth twisted up into a grim smile. “Oh, I’m angry, all right. But not at you. My son will answer for this one.”
“What is it that I’m answering for?” a familiar voice growled from behind them.
The elder Thornton looked up. “Ah, Nick. We were just talking about how you let the Natural Goddess launch slip through your fingers.”
Nick pulled out a chair and sat down, his face a polite mask. “Really? Did you also happen to tell her that I’ve only just returned from our London office? And that Goddess Cosmetics has only been mine for two and a half months? Or were you about to place the blame for three years of failure at my door?”
“There’s no blame being placed here, Nick. Only the foundation for a new partnership.”
As the two men eyed each other Jessie found herself becoming more and more uncomfortable.
“Well, it seems as if you two could use a little time alone to work things out. If you’ll excuse me …?” she said, rising to go.
Nick’s hand clamped around her wrist. “Don’t leave. I was just about to ask you to dance.”
Well, that was a switch. “You were?”
“Yes. Will you?”
Despite the alarm bells ringing in her brain, Jessie nodded. “Of course. We’re presenting a solid front, right?”
“Right.”
“It was nice to meet you, Brad,” she said, ignoring the pressure Nick was placing on her hand.
“Likewise. I look forward to having many more conversations with you.”
She nodded and let Nick lead her on to the dance floor.
Nick led Jessie into the center of the dancing throng before pulling her into his arms. The band had begun a slow waltz and his body automatically began to move to the music, even though his temper was raging. If it hadn’t been for his father’s inability to keep up with the times they wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place.
“What was that about?” Jessie asked.
Nick looked down at the gorgeous redhead in his arms and tried to think of an answer that wouldn’t give anything away. The last thing he needed was for her to get wind of the company’s financial troubles. If Phyllis heard about it she’d have even less faith in their abilities.
“Nick?”
He blinked. Oh. Right. She was waiting for an answer.
“I’m sorry—what was the question again?”
She rolled her eyes. “What was that thing with your father all about? For a minute there I thought you might punch him.”
“Oh, just the usual family drama. My father brings out the best in me, if you know what I mean,” he said, trying to keep the snarl out of his voice.
“And my existence brings out the best in you both, apparently?”
Nick managed a smile. “Neither one of us is used to being bested—especially not by someone as sexy as you. It stings the pride a bit.”
“Ah, so you’re admitting to being beaten?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“We lost a battle, but I’m confident we’ll win the war.”
Jessie took a deep breath and he could see the temper sparking in her eyes. But instead of rising to the bait she shook her head and smiled.
“I think we’d better change the subject before our cover is blown, don’t you?”
“You’re right.”
For a moment they were silent as they twirled around the room.
“You’re quite the dancer—even when you’re angry,” Jessie finally said.
Looking