And I have a ton of questions for Matt and Chance too. How long have they known Kimberley was involved in the merger? Where they talking business when they went for coffee and just forgot to mention that part to me? And why the fuck did they think springing her on me like some unwelcome surprise birthday present in the middle of a meeting like this was a good idea? Did they really think I would just welcome her with open arms? Do they really think I don’t have a right to be so damned pissed at her?
I honestly can’t believe Matt had the front to lecture me about being unprofessional after what happened with Natalie when all along he knew he was planning on this damned ambush. If he makes even one comment about my conduct in this meeting, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself from punching him. Seriously, what was he expecting to happen here? Why does he enjoy my misery so much? And why did Chance go along with it? Don’t they know how much is resting on this deal?
“Sebastian,” Bradley hisses, pulling me away from the list of unasked and unanswered questions in my head and back to the meeting, where I’ve clearly been asked a question I should be able to answer. Perfect.
I take another quick glance at Kimberley. She’s poised, confident. She doesn’t look the least bit perturbed by us being in this room together. Other than her short gasp when our eyes met, it’s like she doesn’t even know me. Well two can play that game. It’s time to put my game face on.
“I’m sorry,” I say, flashing my most charming smile at the three people opposite me. “I tend to zone out through the formalities. The truth is, you know this is a damned good growth opportunity for Benton’s. We know the same is true for us. So why don’t we cut the bullshit and get down to the real questions.”
Joe looks at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. I stand my ground, holding his unwavering gaze. It’s a make or break moment for the deal and I should be sweating buckets right about now, but honestly, I’m just glad for the excuse to keep my eyes off Kimberley for a moment. As Joe and I face off against each other, the whole room goes silent. It’s that moment where no one dare so much as breath.
Joe’s face breaks into a grin and I hear the collective exhale around me. He gives a short laugh.
“I like this guy,” he announces. He turns to Kimberley. “Good call to approach the Hunter’s with our proposal.”
That causes me to raise an eyebrow. So Kimberley has been talking to Joe about me. Or at least about my family. Her cheeks turn the tiniest bit pink and I take a moment to enjoy her discomfort. Call me petty, but it’s kind of nice to not be the only one on the back foot here, even if it is only for a fleeting second before Kimberley regains her composure. She gives Joe a warm smile.
“What can I say? I know you hate this dance and I know Sebastian likes to get down to business as much as you do.”
So it was me specifically she’s been talking about. I’m not keeping score or anything, but if I were, I’d be thinking Sebastian one, Kimberley nil right about now.
“Kimberley is right. I do hate this dance. My time is too precious to waste and I’m sure you all feel the same way about your own time. As Sebastian here said, we all know this merger is a good opportunity for both of our businesses. So how about we stop with the questions we all already know the answers to and move onto the real dealings.”
“Works for us,” Matt says.
“Good,” Joe replies. “Let’s arrange a date to exchange our books and get the financial stuff out of the way so we can open the doors to a discussion on how exactly this is all going to work.”
Chance opens up his laptop and goes into our calendar app.
“Does tomorrow afternoon work for you?” he asks.
Joe raises an eyebrow and I have to bite my lip to stop myself from smiling. Chance doesn’t even bother trying to hide his smile. He’s got Joe and he knows it.
“Sorry is that too soon? Just you said you didn’t want to mess around and we’re prepared to get this thing done as soon as possible.”
Joe regains his composure and nods.
“Tomorrow works for us.”
I stand up, and again all eyes are on me. Jeez, they’re acting like I’ve just pulled my fucking pants down or something.
“What?” I say, faking innocence. “The meeting is over isn’t it? Unless anyone else has any questions that can’t be answered in the next stage?”
I pause giving everyone a measured look and a chance to respond. No one speaks up, just like I knew they wouldn’t. Who would dare ask a question at this point when it’s clearly on the table that we’re past that point? I nod, vindicated and leave the room without a backwards glance.
My abrupt exit isn’t just about Kimberley. It’s about keeping the power on our side of the table. Waiting to be dismissed from a meeting is the equivalent of saying the other side is in charge and I’m not about to go there. Both Matt and Chance know this is my style, and they know it works. But I can still feel the daggers on my back as I leave the conference room. They think it’s all about Kimberley. And they think I’m the one who is obsessed with her. I’m starting to think they’re the ones who think everything is about her.
I walk towards the elevator without looking back, aware that I am being watched through the glass wall of the conference room. I pull my cell phone out and put it to my ear. It’s not ringing,
