Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Kylie was in a dangerous situation.
Get a grip.
She looked at the man sitting next to her, one she had done an immense amount of research on.
As a former high school debater, Kylie had never left anything to chance and was always overprepared.
She had scoured the internet, looking for information, not only about Wagner Enterprises, but Zane Wagner, in particular, knowing he was the representative she would be dealing with and that he had full authority to move forward with any deal made.
Her research notes included his fancy corporate title and details on various business deals he had closed for his family’s company.
She had also seen him in countless images with some of the most beautiful women imaginable.
The society world he inhabited in New York was a far cry from her humble upbringing in the Bay, but she still knew she had the intellect and determination to take him on in negotiating the contract between Mayfield Charters and the large conglomerate known as Wagner Enterprises.
Even though she had seen numerous pictures of Zane, meeting him in the flesh was a different ballgame. He was the opposite of Brady, who had been as blond and blue-eyed as she was. Zane Wagner was in a class all by himself.
She estimated him to be just over six feet, with thick, jet-black hair which lay perfectly in place, thanks to his three-hundred-dollar haircut.
He had cheekbones which could slice through glass, and his unique amethyst eyes drew her in, seeming to cast a spell upon her.
Physically, his build was lean yet muscular, and she had always favored that athletic frame for a man.
His forearms were powerful. His shoulders broad.
He had runner’s calves. She had seen where he competed in both marathons and triathlons, which explained his top physical condition.
Kylie couldn’t deny it. She was incredibly attracted to him.
Thank goodness Piper had texted her to let Kylie know that Zane was coming to the get-together tonight, else she would have been thrown off her game.
It had helped her prepare herself mentally, knowing that she was not going to give an inch when business talks began between them.
It had been amusing to talk with him without Wagner knowing who she was.
Until now.
Even a slick professional such as Zane couldn’t hide his surprise at hearing her surname, just as she had been surprised to learn he actually worked at his grandparents’ diner.
“I have a meeting the day after tomorrow with whoever is representing Mayfield Charters,” he said smoothly, quickly regaining his composure after hearing her surname.
She wanted to hate him for that. For the easy grace with which he moved.
They way he should have been thrown for a loop—yet he oozed confidence.
This man had led a life of privilege, being born into wealth, one very foreign from her own upbringing.
Yes, he may have visited his grandparents in the Bay once a year while he was growing up, but he would have only considered that playing at being middle class.
Kylie told herself to tamp down the attraction and keep her focus. She wasn’t going to give this guy an inch. She actually wanted him to be overconfident because he wouldn’t expect what hit him when she opened negotiations with him.
“Yes, you’ll be meeting with me,” she informed him smoothly, proud that she sounded fearless. “I’m in charge of the negotiations on our side of the table.”
“I was going to call tomorrow morning and see where that meeting was going to take place.”
Kylie had thought long and hard about where that should occur.
Mayfield Charters was run on a shoestring.
Her mom worked from home, regularly checking their website for reservations and sending confirmations, as well as handling the books.
Clients booking services received an email that told them to go straight to the docks in order to board Rodfather directly from the pier.
Because of that, they had no dedicated office space, which put her at a disadvantage when it came to meeting with this representative from Wagner Enterprises.
“I’ve booked a room for us at the public library.
It’s out of the way and will give us complete privacy,” she assured him.
“It’s also a neutral site. Neither of us will have an advantage meeting there.
Kind of like when Texas plays OU at the Cotton Bowl during the state fair every October.
Are you a football fan, Zane? Yale isn’t really a hotbed of football, is it? ”
He regarded her with interest. “You know I graduated from Yale?”
“It’s my business to know everything about you. I would never go into a negotiation blind, not having studied my opponent.”
His brows arched. “Opponent? I’m not some enemy, Kylie. All I want to do is conduct business with your family.”
“Wagner Enterprises didn’t become a billion-dollar conglomerate without playing hardball along the way,” she said. “You’re in this repping your family’s interests. I’ll be doing the same with mine, as well as having the community of Driftwood Bay’s needs in mind.”
Zane studied her a moment, grudging admiration reflected in his eyes. “I’ve always found that any negotiations I’ve participated in run more smoothly if I’ve gotten to know the person I’m dealing with in a more relaxed manner. Would you like to meet for lunch tomorrow? Maybe at Tidewater?”
Her hackles rose. “You’re asking me out on a date?
” she asked, venom in her voice. “Just because I’m a woman and representing my family, Mr. Wagner, doesn’t mean that I’m some imbecile you can try to seduce in order to get a favorable deal.
I may come from a hick town, but I was the valedictorian of my class and graduated from the University of Texas summa cum laude.
I’m not just book smart, either. I’ve been through a lot in my life—and I bring street smarts and common sense to the table. ”
He looked contrite. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.
I was just offering a friendly lunch, trying to get to know you and your family a little better.
I hope we can keep things amiable between us because we have people in common.
I know you and Piper are close, just as Sullivan and I are.
I’m sure the other Musketeers are in your friend circle.
Probably includes their husbands, as well.
We’ll be seeing one another socially, Kylie, during my time in the Bay.
I want our business dealings to go smoothly and quickly.
I want each side to be able to get what they need and deserve. ”
Zane looked at her beseechingly. “So, I’ll ask again. Would you like to have lunch with me tomorrow?”
“I can’t,” she told him. “Your job may have you flying all over the world. My job has me out on a boat ten or more hours a day. It’s high season in the Bay, and Rodfather goes out every day. We’re booked solidly.”
“Tell me about your charter service.” He smiled. “And maybe that boat name.”
She wouldn’t give him any intel that wasn’t on their website. Honey always caught more flies, though, so Kylie put on a smile. Besides, she enjoyed talking about her family’s business.
“Rodfather came from my dad’s favorite movie, The Godfather. You know, a movie about a family business.”
That earned a smile from him.
“Most of our charters are deep sea fishing expeditions. Red and black drum, flounder, sheepshead, and spotted sea trout are the most common fish in these waters, and we have individuals, pairs, and even large parties of up to ten book to go on one of these deep sea fishing trips. We also provide service for those wishing to scuba dive. Once a week, during high season, we offer a Saturday night sunset sightseeing tour. The boat leaves an hour before sunset, cruising along the coast. As sunset hits, we offer drinks and hors d’oeuvres and make our way back to Driftwood Bay. ”
Kylie’s gaze met his. “I’m a big part of all of these. I work the charters with my dad and also pinch hit occasionally on the ferry service.”
“It sounds as if you stay busy. At least during the summer months.”
“Longer than that,” she informed him. “With the weather being so mild along the Gulf Coast, charters are usually booked from March through mid-November, mostly weekends. While the bulk of our business occurs during the summer season, we don’t sit on our asses the rest of the year.”
He looked taken aback. “I wasn’t implying that at all. If I gave you that impression, I apologize.”
Kylie knew she was being testy with him, but she respected the fact that he apologized.
Deciding to bend a little, she said, “Sorry if I’ve been brusque with you, Zane, but the sea is my family’s livelihood.
We work long hours on these charters, and the same is true of the ferry service we run for the city.
You met my brother, Danny. He’s our sole operator. And that’s going to have to change.”
“Let’s don’t get into negotiations just yet,” he said. “Plenty of time for that the day after tomorrow at the library. Will the boat stay in the day that you meet with me?”
“We’d never cancel a reservation,” she told him. “We have a group of eight booked for that day. My older brother, Karl, will sub for me. He runs the local sporting goods store in town.”
“Oh, Willis Sports Center?”
Zane referred to the store by its former name, reminding her again that Zane was familiar with Driftwood Bay in a way any other businessman arriving for negotiations wouldn’t be.