Something Real (Whiskey Men, #2)(22)

As I sit down and uncover the domed plates, I grab a piece of toast and nibble on it, lost in thought. Could he have changed his mind since last night? Maybe he has thought about it, and he doesn’t want to date me. I mean, us together is probably not the best idea. Could I work for him if it doesn’t work out?

Damn. Somehow I’ve already ruined things before I even agreed to anything.

Unable to eat anything else, I pour a cup of coffee and start rounding up everything I need for the conference today. After stuffing a bottle of water, some mints, and my laptop into my tote bag, I look at myself in the mirror to make sure I look the part of Ford Blaze’s assistant. I slide my hand down my thighs. I’m wearing a skirt and low heels with a tucked-in blouse. Pulling my phone from my purse, I see I have fifteen minutes before the conference starts, so I make my way downstairs.

After picking up my registration packet, I make it through the rows of vendors. I pass by the booths and walk straight to the safety class. There are five classes that I’m attending today, even skipping lunch to try to get them all in.

I sit down at the table and take out my laptop, ready to learn. I really don’t want to let Ford down or for him to regret bringing me. Especially after everything with last night, I feel like I need to do a good job.

The first two classes, I stay in my seat as the speakers switch to other classrooms. I have ten pages of notes by the end of the second class. When I get up to go to the next one, I grab a protein bar off the refreshment cart and then quickly find my seat.

“You doing okay?”

My whole body tenses as Ford slides into the chair next to mine.

I lift my eyes to his, trying to read the look he’s giving me. “Yeah, how are you?”

He looks tired, and I curl my fingers into my palm to resist reaching up and touching him.

He shrugs, watching me. “I didn’t sleep very well.”

I groan inwardly. “I’m sure you didn’t. Most people wouldn’t when they lose an account that’s going to cost them a few hundred thousand dollars.”

His face transforms in front of me. “Stop, Lily. I don’t want to hear anything else about it. Do you understand that I don’t want to do business with a man like that?”

“Yeah, but your brothers—”

“My brothers don’t want to do business with a man like that either. You know us, you know all of us. Well, besides Huddy. But hell, he’d probably feel as strong about it as I do, and none of it was your fault.”

I nod. The way he’s protective of me has heat flaring in my chest. I’m about to tell him what I’ve been thinking about half the night and all morning. I'd like to talk more about what he told me last night, but before I can muster up the courage to say anything, the woman at the front of the room starts talking.

I give Ford a regretful look and turn to the front, pulling out my laptop. I start typing notes when I notice Ford write something down on his notepad.

He holds it out in front of me. Want to meet for lunch after this?

I type onto my computer and point to it. “Can’t. I’m skipping it so I don’t miss the class on new methods of distilling.”

He gives me an unhappy look, but I don’t ask him anything about it. I just keep working.

He disappears halfway through the presentation, and later when I get to the final talk of the day, Ford is waiting for me with a small Tupperware bowl set out in front of him.

“Eat,” he tells me before I even sit down.

I look around, and there are other people with plates of food. “Are you going to eat with me?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. I had lunch with the Milton brothers from Texas. I’m sending them a contract to be signed when we get back.”

I don’t even try to hide my excitement. “The Milton brothers? THE Milton Brothers?”

He laughs. “Yes. They are probably three times the size of Ogle.”

I grab on to his forearm. “Ford! That’s amazing. How did you—?”

I cut off when the next speaker comes to the podium. I lean over and whisper to him, “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

He leans forward, and his hot breath caresses my cheek. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know, but first you eat. I got you your favorite comfort food.”

It’s then that I really inspect the plate in front me. I peel back the lid and gasp at the ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese that is still steaming hot. I take the fork he’s holding and dig in, moaning as the first taste hits my tongue. Either I’m starving or this is the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever eaten. “Mmmmm, this is good.”

He’s watching my mouth, nodding his head.

I smile at him, wondering what he’s thinking about. “Thank you for the food. I was hungry.”

He nods and dips his hand into his suit pocket, pulling out a handful of peppermint patties. My eyes light up. Peppermint patties are my weakness. “Oh gah,” I whisper. “I could kiss you right now.”

I don’t even think about it when I say it. I hold my hand out, and he puts the chocolate in my palm before grabbing my wrist. “If we weren’t here of all places, I’d take you up on that.”

I fight the overwhelming need to lean forward and press my lips to his. “Deal.”

His eyes flare, and his voice is husky. “I’m going to hold you to that, Lily.”