“Thanks for the heads-up about the documentary. I’m sure my agent will be lighting up my phone. Bye.”
Belinda continued pushing Tawny ahead of her as they hurried back to her desk. They made it to her office before Jesse rounded the corner. Tawny froze into position with an exaggerated lean over the paperwork on the desk. Meanwhile, Belinda pointed to a random spot on the paper. By the time Jesse entered, Tawny came to life and nodded, as if in agreement with a point they’d discussed.
“Done with my call. Sorry about that.” He didn’t walk over to the desk. Instead, he remained in the doorway. The way his face was set meant that he hadn’t shaken off the effects of his call.
Belinda stepped away from Tawny. Regardless of the chiseled good looks, she only had one message for him. “Mr. Santiago—”
“Jesse.”
She ignored the casual interjection. “Upon careful consideration, I will only work with your father. The bid was accepted based on his ability to do the job. His reputation is pretty stellar. I respect how he treated the project, and how he managed the team to stay on task. I knew what I was getting and wasn’t ever disappointed.” Deliberately pausing to deliver the closing blow, she clasped her hands. In a soft, but frigid tone, she finished, “In other words, Jesse, I’m not interested in using you as a substitute. I will be making alternative arrangements for another company to take over. Of course, this will delay my plans. Quite unexpected, although I realize that it was unforeseen. This program is important and I want the best. Having you push around hay is the last thing that I’m going to settle for.”
“What?”
“Have a good day. I’ve got to get back to some pressing matters.” Belinda returned to sit behind her desk.
Tawny had turned into a statue. Her gaze locked on to Belinda. Her eyes open wide, her expression frozen.
“When is the next appointment, Tawny?”
“Um...now,” her assistant squeaked. “I’ll go...maybe they’re here...now.” Tawny sidled her way out of Belinda’s office, probably to the safe zone of her own area. Belinda was too irritated over the situation to find the humor in Tawny’s comedic contortions to avoid looking at Jesse.
At first, Belinda thought she’d have to be the first to make a move. He hadn’t budged. Plan B was to get up and leave him in her office until he got the message that she meant business. Although stomping out in socks didn’t have the same kiss-my-behind vibe that she’d want.
Finally, he shifted out of his stance. Without making a big deal or pretending to give a damn, he shrugged and left. She stared at the empty space he left behind. The tumultuous energy of anger and sexual attraction evaporated, sucked out with his departure. In its wake, something akin to disappointment settled softly into place. For the first time since she started this company, she’d fired someone. Well, she hadn’t hired him. A mere technicality.
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