by T. L. Quinn
My dad laughs. “I don’t even want to know what that means.”
I laugh too. “Did you send out a calendar invite yet?”
He nods at me. “You’re in charge of this team.” He grins smugly.
I narrow my eyes. “Not thanks to you, just joint in charge.”
My dad smiles. “Sometimes you need to make an executive decision even if you aren’t top dog.”
“I’d hardly call sending out a calendar invite an executive decision, especially when my dad slash boss is the one who organized this event for my team.” I say sarcastically.
He grins. “You’ve been doing great, but you’ve been lacking in the team building area because you are too hung up on avoiding Sawyer. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”
I groan. “Look who’s talking. You’ve barely spoken to the man. Father like daughter.”
He laughs. “Exactly. Our children are supposed to be better people than their parents. I hold you to a higher standard.”
I roll my eyes, but smile. “I’ll try my best.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. “I gotta get back to work.”
Chapter 10
Sawyer has been on sales calls most of the week, so I haven’t had to deal with him much. Todd has been super busy trying to get caught back up after being off for so long, so I haven’t had to deal with him either. I’m a boy drama free zone right now. It’s very refreshing.
I must’ve spoken too soon because I feel hands press onto my shoulders while I sit at my desk, and then Sawyer’s voice in my ear. “Act natural.” His voice rumbles.
I turn around and there stands the bubbly blonde from McCormicks. I still don’t think I ever caught her name. Sawyer gives me a fake smile. “Becky here was just dropping off the paperwork to finalize the contract.” Ahhh Becky.
Sawyer steps away. “I will go find an open conference room.”
Then he walks away, leaving me alone with her. Probably because he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep up the charade. Not with this girl and how obsessed she is with him.
Becky smiles at me. “So have you guys picked a date for the big day yet?”
I stand from my chair and smile back. “Not yet.” Then I get an idea. Sawyer put me in this position, so I might as well have some fun with it.
“You know.” I say. “I really want to give the relationship more time. Really see if Sawyer really wants to settle down.”
Becky gasps, but I’m sure inside is jumping for joy. “You guys seem perfect together.” She lies through her teeth. “If there were ever a girl to make him settle down, I’m sure it’s you.”
I fake concern. “Yeah, it’s just...well...if only there were a way to tell.” I pause. “Maybe if you... No, nevermind. I couldn’t ask that.”
She grins at me ear to ear. “Oh no! Please ask! I love helping people!”
I give her a nervous smile even though I don’t actually give a shit. “You think you could try flirting with him?”
“Me?” She asks surprised.
“Yeah.” I smile back. “I know Sawyer liked you before, and he says he doesn’t flirt with girls anymore, but there’s just no way to know, right?”
Becky gives me a concerned look. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t think he’d flirt with me.”
I give her puppy dog eyes. “Oh please! It would put my worries at ease.”
She finally gives in. “Oh okay.”
I clap my hands together. “Perfect! I’ll pretend I have a phone call to finish and you can go into the conference room with him first.”
This fucker isn’t going to know what hit him.
Sawyer walks back a couple minutes later. “Room five is open.”
I smile at them both. “I’ll be right there. I just have to return this call. You can get started without me.”
Sawyer narrows his eyes at me, but then he smiles at Becky. “Right this way.”
They both walk toward the conference room, and I decide to check some emails since I didn’t actually have to return a call. After I’ve given them enough time for Becky to get in full flirty mode, I stand and start heading toward the conference room, but Sawyer and Becky walk out before I even get there.
Becky turns to Sawyer. “I just want to quickly touch base with Blake. Thanks.”
He raises an eyebrow at me, but then he nods and walks away. Becky suddenly gets super giddy, and she smiles at me so big it looks like her face is going to crack. I try to hold back my laugh, so I give her a small smile back.
“Oh that man has it so bad.” She giggles out.
“Oh?” I ask.
She nods her head with extra enthusiasm. “Yes! He didn’t give me even an ounce of flirt back. I pulled out all my best moves too! He told me he loves you!”
I open my eyes wide. This girl really believes every word out of that man’s mouth. I give her my best smile and then we exchange goodbyes.
Sawyer is waiting for me at my desk, but when I approach, he grabs my hand and starts pulling me away. “What are you doing?” I ask.
He whips around in the empty breakroom and glares at me. “What was that?”
I raise my eyebrows to look confused, but I can’t help the small smirk on my face. “What was what?”
He steps closer. “You know what Blake! You did something bad. Don’t try to play innocent with me.”
I laugh. “Good thing you’re not my boss or you’d have to punish me.” I mock back.
He sneers back at me. “I don’t know what you said to that girl to make her act that way or the fuck why? Are you trying to blow this sale?”
I remain smiling. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“She fucking tried to kiss me, Blake!” He shouts back.
I can’t hold back and burst out laughing. “Damn girl, she went right for the kill shot.”
“See! I knew it! You did something!” He yells.
I hold my side. It hurts from laughing so hard. “Did she try before or after you told her you were in love with me?”
Sawyer doesn’t even crack a smile. “I still don’t understand why you did this.”
I give him a wicked smirk. “Maybe I wanted to see if I could trust you enough to not blow a sale for your dick.”
He leans closer to me. “You’d risk blowing our biggest sale of the year because you were concerned about my dick?” He asks condescendingly. “Did it really leave that much of an impression?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
My angry tone finally brings Sawyer’s usual smirk back. “If you wanted a repeat performance Blake, all you had to do was as-.”
I cut him off. “I don’t!” I shout. “And I never will.” I turn back around and stomp out of the breakroom back to my desk. I see Sawyer on his phone a few minutes later, and then he leaves for the rest of the day.
◆◆◆
Friday morning flew by since I was rushing around trying to get everything done before the team building event this afternoon. We are all heading out in about thirty minutes to the winery, so I do a couple final checks to make sure I got everything done for this week that I was planning on.
Ben, one of the sales guys walks up to my desk. “Hey boss.” He says. Oh, I like him more already. He continues. “Sorry this is so last minute, but my kid’s school called, and my youngest is not feeling well.”
I give him a concerned look. “Oh, I’m sorry Ben. No worries at all. Go do what you have to do.”
Although many of the employees are dedicated to the job, there are some who live normal lives, and company policy is always that family comes first. Business will ebb and flow, but family is forever.
“Thanks boss.” He grins. “See you next week.”
“Have a good weekend!” I call out to him as he walks away, but then my eyes connect with Sawyer’s as he walks into the office. We don’t break eye contact as he walks in my direction, but I can see in my peripherals how all eyes are drawn to him. Men and women alike, he’s so fucking sexy that nobody
can deny taking a peek. Ugh.
I am actually really starting to enjoy working with the new team. I honestly wish I could do the team building event without him because I know now all my thoughts are going to be on him. It’s like I try so hard to convince myself that he doesn’t matter, but my brain always makes its way back to him again.
Finally, I look away and back at my computer. Since Ben bailed, we are going to need another person. The winery told me it can be for groups of six to thirty, but it has to be an even number of people.
I can feel Sawyer’s eyes on me, but I don’t look his way. Since Todd’s desk is right by mine, I stand and walk the few steps over to him. “Hey.” I give him a flirty smile. “We need a fill in today at the winery for Ben. You available?”
Todd leans back and gives me a surprised smile, but before he can answer, suddenly Sawyer is right next to us. “How much team building are we going to get done if you bring your boy toy?”
I whip around with eyes wide open. “Walk away.” I say through clenched teeth.
He turns and takes a few steps away talking to one of the other guys, but he’s still within hearing range. I turn back toward Todd and smile. “Sorry about him.”
Todd doesn’t let it phase him. “I don’t mind being your boy toy. Although I’d prefer to finally finish what we started in Mexico first.”
Wow. Todd is laying it on thick. I know he knows Sawyer can hear him. He’s never tried to puff himself out in front of another guy before, and honestly, I kind of like it.
I grin back at him. “You still coming to drinks tonight?’
He leans back in his chair. “Wouldn’t miss it.” He winks at me.
I feel my heart rate pick up a little. Oh thank God another man can still make me want to fuck after the disasterous weekend. I wonder if I’ll compare them? Oh fuck, I’ve already started. I squeeze my hand into a fist to help myself get a grip.
“So can I count on you to fill in for Ben?” I ask sweetly.
“Whatever you need.” He smiles back.
I clap my hands together. “Great! We’re all leaving in about ten minutes.” I say before walking back to my desk to gather my things.
Thirty minutes later, I am pulling up to the winery about twenty minutes outside of downtown. It’s a beautiful place. The team building event is held outside at the vineyard, so the views are amazing at the long table they have set up.
I go talk with the event coordinator while the rest of the team arrives. Todd arrives a couple minutes after I do, and we keep making eye contact while I talk with the winery employee. He keeps giving me these flirty smiles, and I keep finding myself grinning like a dork. Maybe things will go better for me tonight than I thought.
“Everyone’s ready.” Sawyer says, sounding annoyed.
I turn and glare at him, and then I look back at Tom, our event coordinator. I give him a friendly smile to try to smooth over Sawyer’s rudeness. “I guess we can get started.” I say cheerfully.
He doesn’t seem like he noticed Sawyer’s annoyed tone and is just as cheery as he was before. He claps his hands together. “Alright everyone! Let’s get started!” He speaks loudly to get everyone’s attention.
We all take a seat around the table, and he begins. “We have three activities today. The first will be a lesson on some basic wine techniques and processes, then we’ll do a full team activity, and then a smaller group activity.”
Todd sits across from me on the other side of the table. I give him a flirty smile every time our feet touch each other underneath the table. Tom goes over a bunch of wine stuff that I don’t really care about. As long as it tastes good, that’s all that matters to me.
Since I’m not that interested in what he has to say, I stretch my leg out and slowly run my foot up Todd’s ankle. His eyes shoot back over to mine, and I bite my bottom lip into my mouth. He cocks an eyebrow at me, but the smirk on his face tells me he likes it.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots through my ankle. “Fuck.” I say a little more loudly than is appropriate. A couple of the guys look my way, but I try to give a smile that says sorry. Then my eyes glare over to Sawyer, who is sitting right next to Todd.
Tom tells everyone to head over to where they have some wine glasses set up at a few bar tables next to us. I casually walk up next to Sawyer. “You fucking kicked me on purpose.” I grit through my teeth.
He glances my way but doesn’t turn his head. “Your foot shouldn’t have been on my side of the table.”
Before I have a chance to respond, Tom splits us up into two groups. “Okay everyone, so this exercise is to help you be able to read non-verbal cues from your partners. You will each move from person to person and take a sip of three different wines, followed by the various snacks. The goal is to guess which wine and which snack is your partner’s favorite based on their non-verbal expressions.”
Sawyer leans down to my ear. “This will be easy. I can read you like a book.”
I turn and narrow my eyes at him. “I’m an open person. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
He leans even closer so his mouth is right next to my ear. “I’ll do better than Todd.”
Then he walks away toward one of the tables, and just ugh! The way he said that like this isn’t just some stupid activity and like it actually means something. Why does he have to put dumb thoughts in my head? Like that Todd won’t know how to make me feel the way he does. Fuck.
Right as I line up across from Todd, Tom throws in that whoever gets the most correct answers will take home a free bottle of wine. Todd goes first, and I think he’s easy enough to read. I’m not a hundred percent confident, but pretty sure I got most of them right.
I go next, and I try extra hard to give facial expressions that are very noticeable without giving away that I am trying to have him get all the answers correct. The last thing I need is for Sawyer to do better than him.
We all shuffle to the side to the next person until I finally reach the last one. Sawyer. I try my absolute best to keep my face neutral the whole time. I know if I overcompensated one way to throw him off, he’d be able to tell I was doing it on purpose, so the best option is no expression at all. The smirk on his face doesn’t ease my nerves though. There’s no way he can tell. Right?
He goes next, and his face literally doesn’t change at all between the different options. His only tell is the slight twinkle in his eye, but I could be imagining that. “Sociopath.” I whisper to him when he’s finished. His face finally shows emotion, but it’s the opposite feeling I was going for.
We walk over to the bin to turn in our cards with the answers, and he lowers his voice next to me. “I’m definitely feeling something.” His eyes run down me.
I roll my eyes and try to walk away from him. “Can’t you leave me alone? You already got what you wanted. Why are you still playing this game?”
He smirks again. “Maybe I want to hear that you liked it. Would it really be that painful for you to admit that you can’t stop thinking about it?”
I scoff. “Your very existence brings me pain.”
We walk up next to Todd, so the conversation ends. Tom quickly checks who got most of the answers right while we chitchat. He clears his throat when he’s finished, and we all turn toward him. “Okay, so before we announce the winner for most correct answers, we have a few other categories.”
He glances down at the paper. “The hardest person to read by a resounding number is Sawyer.”
He gets a few heckles because we all knew that one. Tom continues. “The closest person with guesses was Blake with only two items being switched around.”
I raise my eyebrows at him like ‘see I can read you too.’ Tom makes a surprised noise. “Huh.” He exhales. “Weirdly enough, the only perfect score of the day also came from Sawyer, and that was with Blake’s choices.”
Motherfucker!
I know I shouldn’t, but I glance over at him anyway. The smug look on his face makes my blood boil. If Sawyer’s score was
perfect, which in itself is super annoying, it means that he did better than Todd. I know that doesn’t mean anything, but it’s bothering me just the same.
Tom clears his throat again. “Well this is a first, our most unreadable person is also today’s winner. Sawyer came in first for the most correct answers.”
He walks away from me to go claim his free bottle of wine, and when he gets back, he whispers in my ear. “Maybe we can share this later since you made it so easy to win.”
I ignore him, and we begin the next exercise, which involves grouping into groups by whatever wine we liked the most. Luckily, Sawyer and I did not share a favorite. Unfortunately, neither did Todd and I.
Maybe it was fortunate actually because now I can get to know some of the other team members better without focusing on things that shouldn’t matter. I never let my personal life interfere with my work before. Mainly because I didn’t have much of a personal life, but also because I care about my job. If I’m going to prove myself to my dad, I have to stop bringing drama into work.
After work, however, that’s a different story. Once we finish up the last activity, I find Todd. “I’m stopping home to change, but we’re meeting at Mojo’s.”
I purposefully didn’t tell Sawyer where we were all meeting for drinks, but then Todd does that dumb manly finger pointing thing. “Mojo’s in an hour?” He asks Sawyer as he walks by.
Sawyer gives Todd a nod, but I swear his eyes mock me when they connect with mine. I say goodbye to everyone quickly so I have time to freshen up before I meet everyone at the bar.
Chapter 11
I arrive at the bar in a pair of skinny jeans with a cropped tank. Not too fancy, but Erin and I weren’t sure if we were going to hit up some bars after to go dancing, so I halfway prepared. It had nothing to do with the fact that I am about to have drinks with Todd or even Sawyer for that matter.
I see Erin at a booth with a couple of other girls from the office along with Billy, Craig, and Todd. I let out a sigh of relief. Maybe Sawyer decided not to come after all. Maybe he finally got bored of this game of ours and moved on back to his usual hookups.
