Big Shot(10)
He didn’t openly broadcast his sexual orientation, but neither did he purposely hide it. But sometimes, when he really wasn’t in the mood to fend off female attention at a business mixer or company function, she’d attend as his date—i.e., his beard. That’s what she enjoyed the most about their relationship, that there was no pressure or expectations. Just a solid friendship that worked for both of them.
She finished off her lemon scone, took another drink of her latte, then retrieved her iPad from her oversized purse that Richard always joked could carry around a small country. She turned the tablet on and pulled up the notes she’d made last night before going to bed. She had no intentions of letting Richard do any of her legwork on this listing—she wanted to win this bet on her own merit—but she was grateful to have someone to brainstorm ideas with.
“Okay, here’s what I’ve got,” she said, starting at the top of her to-do list for the day. “First thing this morning, before I head into the office, I’m going to the Magnolia house to do a walk-through. I already looked up everything I could about the property online, but I want to see it for myself so I’ll have solid facts and information about the home, the floor plan, and the general neighborhood.”
“Good idea,” Richard agreed as he closed his own laptop to give their conversation his full attention. “I’ll go with you if you’d like.”
They often did walk-throughs together, and having a second pair of eyes was always great in case she needed insight or feedback. It would also be helpful to discuss different ways to present the listing to a potential client that would make it more appealing. “That would be great. Once I get back to the office, I want to reach out to that relocation company guy who gave me his business card at a function last week, and see if he has any prospects for a buyer who’s looking for a one-point-six-million-dollar home.”
Richard made a few other suggestions of leads she could follow, which Natalie added to her growing list. They spent the next forty-five minutes generating creative ways to reach the kind of buyer she needed, and where it was best to concentrate her efforts and resources in order to keep focused on her objective. Which was basically selling the property before Wes did.
By the time they were done, she was energized and excited and ready to get started. She had a solid plan she was ready to execute. As she powered down her iPad and started cleaning up the table between them, she saw Richard look toward the order area of the Espresso Shot, then do a quick double-take. She didn’t think much of it and figured some hot guy had caught his eye. Especially when she saw the slow smile ease across Richard’s lips.
“Hey, isn’t that Wes Sinclair over there, flirting with the barista?” he asked.
Without her consent, Natalie’s stomach fluttered like an infatuated schoolgirl’s. God, she hated that the mere mention of her nemesis’s name had the power to elicit such a spontaneous response inside of her. Tamping down the annoying sensation in her belly, she followed Richard’s line of vision and realized by the gorgeous profile of the man’s face that it was, indeed, Wes standing at the register placing his order. And judging by the swoony look on Penny’s face, he was pouring on the charm.
“Why is he here?” she muttered, not at all happy to have him invading her place, especially when she was strategizing ways to take him down. “He never comes to this coffeehouse.” Or at least not in the morning hours when she was there.
“Does it really matter?” Richard asked, a teasing inflection in his voice as he adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. “There is something so damn hot about a guy in a suit, and he knows how to fill his out like it was custom-made for that rock-hard body.”
She almost laughed at the wistful sound of Richard’s voice. “It probably was.” From the impeccable cut of the jacket that silhouetted his frame to the expensive, premium fabric, Wes’s attire definitely had that tailored look to it.
“You have to admit, he’s exceptional eye candy,” Richard said appreciatively.
She couldn’t argue with that, so she didn’t confirm or deny. No sense in implicating herself either way.
A few short minutes later, Wes collected his drink, then started for the door without noticing her. Natalie held her breath, and just when she thought she was in the clear, he casually glanced her way. Seeing her, he came to an abrupt stop, that gorgeous head of his tipping in surprise as his gaze met hers. She mentally willed him to leave her alone, but knew it was a futile wish when it came to Wes. Not when the opportunity to torment her in any way, shape, or form presented itself.
“Uh-oh,” Richard said beneath his breath. “Here comes trouble.”
“You have no idea,” she replied through tight lips, her heart beating faster with every self-assured step he took toward her.
Richard chuckled, low and deep. “Yeah, judging by the smirk on his handsome face, I think I do have some kind of an idea of how much trouble he can be.”
Wes finally reached where they were sitting, but before he could say anything, Natalie decided to speak first. “What are you doing here?” Crap. She hadn’t meant to sound so suspicious of his motives.
He heard it, too, and his striking blue eyes glimmered with amusement. “Don’t worry, I’m not stalking you or trying to learn all your secret plans for the Magnolia listing. I have a meeting across the street with a client. I saw this place and thought I’d give it a try. It’s pretty good coffee,” he said, taking a drink from his cup.