Lost and Found (Growing Pains #1)(95)

“Sean?” Someone called in the distance, shattering their isolated bubble beneath the fairy lights.

This scene would look all kinds of wrong.

It was all kinds of wrong.

Chapter Twenty

Krista jerked back, closing her legs with a snap. Sean flinched, confusion marring his face, before he backed off and stood up, eager to put distance between them. Just like he had with Theresa.

Krista’s heart sank. His guilt reinforced her own. She knew better—most women knew better at her age. Guys like Sean were smoke and mirrors. The wonder was why she insisted on falling for the same old song and dance. She knew better, but she still let herself get sucked in. It was so stupid!

Plus, this was definitely her fault! She bit the guy for cripes sake! Obviously he would push his luck.

Still.

As he called to the voice, revealing where he was, she could see his body uncomfortably bent at the middle, his forehead slick with sweat.

At least I had some effect. Theresa didn’t have him uncomfortable like this.

It was a small consolation, but she’d take it.

John and Monica came in sight, took in the scene. John stalked over. Monica hesitated a second, eyes narrowed, before walking behind John as if he needed backup.

“What happened? Was it amenable?” John was saying as his eyes bored into Krista’s.

“I think it was the best thing that could have happened,” Sean said. All traces of heat from a second ago were completely gone; his voice was ice.

Everyone looked at him.

“Explain,” John snapped.

“I think it must have been obvious to Mr. Hartling that Krista didn’t know who he was. He asked questions that she answered honestly, but that also helped us out. She basically pitched him an idea already.”

“What?” John said too loudly.

“She didn’t know it, John,” Sean took a step closer to Krista with an edge to his voice. He sounded more in command than John. He was made for a huge office and a large bankroll. Why did he have to be so hot to boot? It wasn’t fair.

“Still doesn’t,” Sean was looking at her. “But it’s genius when you think about it.”

Sean was right about one thing—she had no idea what he was talking about. She didn’t pitch anything.

“He asked about her jewelry,” Sean continued. John faced him. “Then about her sapphire ring. One comment led to another, and she was telling him that they should be marketing to people her age because that age group is young and stupid with their money. Her friend bought a $1200 purse, why not a piece of jewelry? Her friend could afford neither, but would buy both. It makes sense. Her being a researcher and effective debater gave weight to her argument. Her not knowing who she was talking to gave her innocence; she sold it without knowing it. Without setting off his alarm bells.”

John was looking at Krista like she was a chessboard and he was Bobby Fischer.

Sean went on, “And he asked about us.”

John’s eyes snapped back to Sean. There was fear lurking behind his gaze. It made Krista wonder what John had done to get where he was. Who he had stepped on.

It was the first time Sean actually smiled since he’d accosted her. “She called me a womanizer and for you she noted Johnny Cash’s song ‘Boy Named Sue.’”

Krista’s mouth dropped open. It was one thing to admit all that to Sean—the guy had some sort of truth voodoo—but to tell the freaking Junior VP? That was low. That was sell-out material! If she wasn’t so scared she’d be sacked on the spot, she would’ve been livid!

“She also said the company and its upper management were loyal, and that I was trustworthy. Also that I challenged her. She didn’t know anything to say about you or Tom, and she wasn’t asked about anyone else,” Sean finished up.

John turned back to Krista. “And were you telling the truth? Would he believe you about Sean?”

“I was telling the truth,” Krista said sullenly. “Though the trust issue is strained now, and I was hoping that comment about ‘Sue’ wouldn’t get back to you.”

Thankfully, and the cherubs did sing, John cracked a smile. “I don’t mind about Sue, you rat. Though I’ll remember it, trust that.”

John sounded like he was in good humor, but he also called her a rat and basically said he held a grudge. Krista glared at Sean and crossed her arms.

John clapped his hands. “Good. Phew. We dodged a bullet there. I thought we were sunk when Tory changed seats. Sean, thank God I let you talk me into giving her a nice raise and a new office. Can you imagine if she had been disgruntled? Or anyone else from Research talking to him? I shudder to think.”

John walked around and shook his head. Then he stretched. “This is good.” He threw a couple boxing punches at the air. “They officially bought out and now they are asking questions about our sales team. We have our foot in the door. If we can keep momentum, we may land them after all.”

He swung around to look at Sean. “I want at least three proposals on my desk by Monday. I want them ready to go just in case.”

“They’re already done. We have about six ideas, four good to go now,” Sean answered coolly.

“I don’t just want ideas. I want support. Numbers. Pictures. All of it!” John fired back.

“Done. All of it, done. For all six ideas. Photo quality is HD. No old imagery. Graphics are in place, numbers are valid, organized, and have footnotes. We are ready to go at a moment’s notice.”