Chapter 8
LONDON
N ew guy’s name was Derrick Jensen and he was great. Funny, confident, just kind enough, and not an ogre to look at, he wasn’t as gorgeous as the guy from the bar—or even Liam—but his personality made up for his average looks.
“I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to notice me,” he said smoothly. “I’ve been sweating it out over there waiting for you to look up. You seemed pretty focused.”
“I was, but we all are, right? It’s a big day.”
“Made even bigger by the fact that we’ve got to get the booths ready in just a morning.” He mock-pouted before he dragged a hand through his reddish-brown hair. “Walker and Co Marketing, huh? I’ve heard of you guys. People are pretty excited that you’re setting up a base around here.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Are you serious? That’s awesome. I didn’t realize anybody even knew.”
He chuckled. “It’s a small town with a big body.”
I laughed. “I’ve never heard that expression before.”
“That’s because I only just made it up, but you know what I mean.
In certain parts of the city, everybody knows everything about everyone, which gives it that small-town feeling.
Our office building is only a few blocks away from yours.
We heard about you signing the lease for the place probably before your own headquarters did. ”
“I know exactly what you mean. We just moved here from Houston and that was very similar in that sense. Back in New York, I didn’t know any of my neighbors except the woman in the apartment right next to mine, but in Houston, I knew the entire street by the time I’d been there for a month.”
“New York, to Houston, to Miami?” He raised his eyebrows. “That’s a lot of moving. You here for good now?”
“We’ll see.” I shrugged, sending him what I hoped was a flirty smile. “I’m here right now, though. Who knows what the future holds?”
“You’re adventurous. I like that.” He grinned at me as he jerked a thumb at his booth. “I should get back over there, but a group of us are going to a beach party tonight after the convention wraps up for the day. Would you like to join us?”
“I’d love to.” I smiled, but then I remembered that I was only getting this invitation because of Liam’s help.
Figuring it was time to return the favor, I pointed at him, watching as he unfurled yet another banner and threaded it onto its stand.
“Can my cousin come too? He’s in desperate need of some friends and he’s also just moved here. ”
Liam must’ve heard what I’d said because he shot me an unimpressed look, his eyes squinting and his mouth in a straight line.
I almost couldn’t choke back my laughter when I realized how much he was the very embodiment of the unimpressed emoji right now, so I focused on Derrick again before he thought I was a weirdo who cracked up for no good reason.
He glanced at Liam. “Your cousin, huh? Well, he can come as long as he’s not your boyfriend.”
“Definitely not,” I replied easily. “I’m single and ready to mingle.”
Derrick seemed a touch confused for a moment, his brow furrowing as the corners of his eyes tightened, but then he ran his gaze over me and shook himself out of it. “Yeah. Yeah, of course. We’ll see you later. Can I have your number? I’ll drop a pin to the location.”
“Of course.” Pleased that we’d progressed to the point where he wanted to be able to contact me, I took his phone when he handed it over and saved my number to it.
Once I gave it back, he smiled. “Good luck for the day. If I meet anyone in marketing, I’ll send them right over.”
“I’ll do the same.” I paused, feeling my eyebrows pinch together before I darted a glance at his booth. “What, uh, what kind of people are you looking for?”
“Software developers and information security analysts.” He smirked when my frown deepened. “Don’t back out of the party now. We’re not boring just because we work with computers.”
My eyes widened. “No, I, uh, I wasn’t thinking that at all.”
“Yes, you were.” He chuckled and went back to his booth and Liam came over to me once he was gone. There was a glint of murder in his eyes and he swiped a hand through his dark hair, clearly annoyed with me about something.
“What?” I asked innocently.
His strong jaw hardened. “First off, I will get you back for that. Second, don’t ever say ‘single and ready to mingle’ again.”
I smacked his arm, trying to fight the flush that wanted to spread on my cheeks. “It’s not that bad. That is what I am, right? Single and wanting to mingle with people.”
Liam groaned and rolled his eyes, chuckling as he shook his head at me. His eyes were twinkling with amusement and a soft fondness I didn’t mind seeing aimed at me. “If I didn’t work for your father and absolutely love my job, I would’ve quit just because I had to hear that.”
I laughed. “Get back to work if you love it so much, then.”
“I will.” He shook his head again as he walked away from me, looking back when he reached one of the last boxes. “It’s so weird that you’re so pathetic with the whole flirting thing. How did that even happen? You’re so full of yourself usually.”
“I’m not full of myself,” I protested, but I knew exactly what he meant.
I wasn’t some shy little wallflower who waited for things to happen to her.
I made things happen for myself and I didn’t stop until I got what I wanted.
“Maybe I’m just not wired for a relationship. My job is my first love, after all.”
Liam straightened to his full height, shoulders wide and strong under his tailored suit. He was a touch disheveled after all the work we’d done this morning, but I knew he’d put himself back together again before the jobseekers started arriving.
I expected him to say something either mean or meaningful with the way he was suddenly looking at me, but he did neither of those. Instead, he kind of just deflated and muttered, “Guys are idiots.”
Going back to his box, he pulled out a couple tablecloths and brought them over to me. I took them and covered the tables the event had provided, adding vases overflowing with fresh flowers that we’d ordered to be delivered this morning.
As I worked on adding final touches, I was preoccupied with what he’d said. As it happened, I agreed wholeheartedly with him. Guys really were idiots, but I wasn’t sure why he’d said it or what he’d meant.
Eventually, our booth was ready and we both headed to the washrooms to freshen up.
I took my time, knowing I needed to get my head in the game before the doors opened.
Liam did stuff like this on occasion. He said things with no context.
At the end of the day though, this wasn’t the time to try to piece it together.
Besides, he might not have meant much by it at all. After touching up my makeup and my perfume, smoothing over my hair, and tucking my shirt back in, I left the bathroom and headed back to our booth, where Liam was already waiting.
I hated to admit this even to myself, but the man looked good today.
Like, good enough to lick. He had on a navy blue suit with a fitted, white button-down underneath.
He’d straightened his tie and put his jacket back on, and with his dark, longer hair neatly styled away from his sharp features, he cut a really sexy picture if you were into the powerful, professional types.
Despite having lived primarily outside of Texas for years, he’d never lost that southern twang and it definitely added to his charm. Not that I was into the powerful, professional types. Unfortunately, Liam was so much more than that and not even I could deny it.
Especially not when he held a takeout coffee in my direction when I approached the booth. “Figured you might need this to replenish your energy. Doors are opening any minute now.”
“Remind me again if I’ve told you that I love-hate you lately?” I batted my lashes at him playfully and took the coffee, immediately wrapping my fingers around the cup and bringing it to my lips.
Before I’d even finished it, a tide of people came flowing through the doors and I squared my shoulders, ready to start hiring my dream team. Due to our location, many people walked right into our booth and Liam and I got to work immediately.
To my delight, most of them hadn’t walked in just because of where we were located.
I quickly ascertained that tons of the attendees were genuinely interested in working with Walker & Co.
Contrary to popular belief, I was actually really good with people and I enjoyed talking to them if they weren’t hitting on me, and I was totally in my element as soon as the event kicked off.
“I was so excited when I heard you guys were opening a branch here,” a woman maybe a few years older than me was saying. “I’ve even considered applying to one of your branches out of state, but I’ve never been sure about moving. My family is here.”
“I get that,” I said honestly. “It’s really hard moving away from them if you’re close. Even if you visit regularly, it’s still not easy if you can’t pop in for a quick coffee when you feel like you need it.”
“Exactly.” Her huge brown eyes left mine to drift around the booth. “What are the roles you’re looking to fill?”
“Everything.” I chuckled when she widened those eyes at me. “We’ve only just equipped our offices, so we’re brand new around here in every respect.”
“You’re very honest,” she said as if that surprised her. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
I grinned. “That’s because I think you’ll be a good fit. I can’t wait to receive your application.”
The girl left to fill out said application and I made a mental note of her before I moved onto a group who had just walked in. When they too applied before they walked away, Liam shot me a shocked look.
“What’s with the face?” I laughed. “You can’t blame them for wanting to work with me. I’m by far the coolest Walker sister. Tell them I said that and I’ll kill you.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. It’s just…” He glanced at the ceiling, trying to suppress a grin. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but dang, girl. You’re really good at this recruitment thing.”
I stared at him, totally blank-faced. “Wait. Is that a compliment ? From Liam Cranky Pants Jones? Wow. I think I need to sit down.”
“It’s only a small compliment.” He nudged me. “I’m still better.”
“Prove it.”
We parted to welcome more people to our booth and the day flew by in a blur of applications and conversations.
Liam and I both had lines of people waiting to chat.
It was really enjoyable until, all of a sudden, I heard a very familiar voice behind me.
My blood stalled in my veins at the sound of it.
“Hey, London. I was hoping you were still going to be here.”
I turned slowly, unable to believe that I’d all but forgotten he was meant to be here. For a moment, I was completely lost for words. Only one name spun around in my brain and my insides shriveled with disgust.
But I was determined not to let him know that I even remembered him. As much as I appreciated that he’d been honest instead of cheating, he was still a horny toad in my books. There was no way I was letting him waltz in here and pretend that everything was fine and dandy between us.
The prick.