Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(84)

“Yes,” Sean said simply.

“She filled me in about your shared past.”

“It is common knowledge.”

“I didn’t realize she was Krista Marshall. From Dexico.”

“And I hope you don’t tell any others her old last name. I met the reason she moved to L.A. He was…not someone I would ever care to meet again. Extremely dangerous.”

Ron nodded slowly, looking back toward Emily and Krista chatting amicably. “I asked her to come to New York.”

Sean followed his gaze.

Ron went on, “She is still loyal to you. She also has…an interesting ability to withstand my influence.”

Sean barked out laughter. “You tried to strong-arm her?” Ron didn’t comment. “Yeah, she doesn’t respond well to that. You have to beguile her. Give her goals and problems to solve—you have to lay out the logic so she can analyze it, but only give her enough information to lead her to the conclusion you want her to reach. Then she’ll stop at nothing to fulfill it. It’s tricky, because she’s smart; she’s extremely strategic and good at poking holes in someone else’s logic. If you don’t get it just right, you never know when she’ll push back.”

“Sounds like a lot of work.”

Sean shrugged. “I never thought of it as work. It’s a challenge. The end result is always better than I anticipated, and not always because I came up with it.”

“I don’t know that I would work half so well with her. I doubt I could beguile her, as you said. I tell people what to do, and they do it. End of story. Well, she’s not moving. Not to me, anyway. You might watch her, though. She might not be moving to me, but she might not be staying with you, either.”

Sean sighed, watching Emily and Krista cross to the bar arm-in-arm. “I know. I haven’t figured out what to do about it, yet.”

“I also think it is time to start hiring in. Promoting from within is a good practice, but we need knew blood.”

“We need less slackers,” Sean said.

Ron didn’t bother acknowledging. It was a common problem in any company, but more so with theirs.

~*~*~*~

“It’s been a long weekend,” Krista said casually, leaning against the bar.

“I’ve heard some stories.” Emily glanced around. She lowered her voice, “Tory’s been watching you closely.”

“Trying to make sure I didn’t sue for sexual harassment?”

Her smile was grim. “That was part of it, I’m sure. He didn’t mention it—it would’ve put me in a bad mood. But other than that, you were at odds, huh? I would not have wanted to be in your place!”

“Me neither. I didn’t have a choice, though.”

They paused to order drinks—it was the same peppy bartender that saw her embarrassing fall.

“Drinks on the house!” he said in a bob. “I know you won’t spill it!”

Emily looked at Krista in confusion.

“I did a dive and saved my empty drink. He’s of the age that still thinks that’s awesome.”

Emily nodded, and then shook her head. Changing gears, she asked, “What prompted the fabulous outfit?”

“Other than the fabulousness, you mean?”

“Of course.”

“I got a pep talk from a friend. She said to put it in their faces.”

“They being all the overbearing, egotistical men here?”

“Exactly.”

“What about Sean?”

Krista threw her a confused brow crease. “What about Sean?”

“What did he say about your outfit?”

“Hasn’t seen it yet.”

“You two aren’t an item?”

“No.”

“Oh.” Emily looked away casually.

It prompted Krista to elaborate.

“My choice. I just…He tends to do things for his career instead of for me. Don’t know if I want to spend a life being second.”

“Oh sweetie…I know. And I really do know. I spent a great many years alone. When men are young, they want to build an empire. It isn’t until they are older that they realize what is really important in life.”

“So the movies say. I guess I just don’t trust him anymore.”

“Well, that’s for you to decide, of course. I say, give him a chance. He’s been bending over backward to make you welcome here this weekend. He’s really put himself out on a limb.”

“I know,” Krista sighed. “And I miss him. A lot. I just…I don’t think I can go through that hurt again, you know?”

“I do know, Krista. I do. I was in your shoes once. Well, tonight just focus on what’s important—throwing it in their faces. But, I do wonder. Panties or no panties?”

“Ah. You heard about the ropes course, I see. Right. Yeah, I had another pair.” Krista flicked her hair in embarrassment. Apparently everyone would be wondering.

“Well—“ Emily stopped mid-sentence and her eyes lit up. “Sean! Long time no see.”

Sean walked up to them in his slow, graceful saunter. He was wearing a tux that fit like a dream. His fluid grace and muscular build lent him a 007 quality. Women and men alike watched him move through the room. Well, g*y man, actually. There was only one. That they knew of.