He relayed his conversation with Shelley.
“After Betty gave us—me, especially—an icy cold stare tonight, she now wants to bury the hatchet?” Lexie said in disbelief.
“She’s up to something,” he said. “I don’t know what.”
“Well, since I’m officially invited, I’d like to go,” Lexie said.
He grinned. “So you can keep an eye on me?”
“So I can keep an eye on Vicky,” she said with narrowed eyes.
Lexie was so cute with her jealous look that he had to bite his lip to distract himself from the urge to lean over and kiss her. He had to be satisfied with staring into those beautiful honey eyes of hers.
A pointy end of a shoe hit his leg.
“Ow.”
“Too obvious,” Erin said, shaking her head at them. “I think I should go to the party, too. Someone has to keep an eye on you two—make sure you don’t combust.”
He laughed, almost looking forward to the party now that Lexie would be there too.
Almost, but not quite.
He knew that going there didn’t mean they’d be letting their hair down and celebrating. He was certain Betty was in the middle of one of her schemes. He and Lexie would have to be on guard at all times. He’d stopped underestimating his stepmother’s manipulative ways a long time ago.
CHAPTER TEN
Lexie put on an impassive expression as Minda, the new business development manager who’d flirted with Rick at the Halloween party, called her to her office. It was only Lexie’s first day back at work after taking time off between Christmas and New Year and she wasn’t in the mood to deal with her intense and competitive co-worker.
“You have to come with me to a meeting today, Alexia,” Minda said without preamble the moment Lexie appeared in her doorway.
“What meeting?” Lexie asked, swallowing her resentment for her colleague.
From her very first day at the company, Minda had exhibited an intensely ambitious nature. That wasn’t a problem for Lexie. Bilton Machineries employed plenty of high achievers who revelled in exceeding their targets. But it was Minda’s controlling attitude that bugged Lexie. Minda wasn’t a team player and rubbed her workmates the wrong way.
“I’ve been assigned to meet with a new client today,” Minda said. “A very big, important client. So I need you to assist me.”
“Margaret is available. I’ll ask her to go with you,” Lexie said coldly. Lexie was the administration manager of the marketing department. She was responsible for the personnel who assisted the BDMs in their roles. What she wasn’t was someone Minda could order around. How dare Minda tell her to go to a meeting as if she were her personal assistant?
“But Margaret is new,” Minda said, shaking her head as if Lexie should know this. “I need someone I can trust to do a good job in taking important notes while I negotiate with the client.”
“That’s Margaret’s job, Minda. Not mine. And she’s good at what she does. You can trust her.”
“But this client is super important, Alexia. I know you don’t do go out with BDMs anymore because you’re now the admin manager, but I need you today.”
“Who’s this client?” she asked, trying not to lose her temper with this woman who seemed to believe she was God’s gift to Bilton Machineries.
“The Carmichael Corporation. Just one of the biggest property development companies in Australia,” Minda said with a superior smile.
Lexie couldn’t help her snicker. “Did Lucas ask you to go there today?”
“Yes,” Minda said with a frown, not appreciating Lexie’s reaction. “He obviously thinks I’m the person for such an important client,” she said, her nose tilting high in the air.
Lexie bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. The Carmichael brothers, who owned and ran the Carmichael Corporation, were Rick’s cousins. She’d met all three of them once before at a party—the one where she’d had an altercation with Betty.
Apart from that, Lucas was also very good friends with the brothers. She bet Lucas had sent Minda to see them simply to get the proper paperwork completed and gather pertinent information about the Carmichaels’ upcoming projects. She was sure the Carmichaels had already agreed to move their business to Bilton Machineries from their long-time construction vehicle and equipment supplier.
“You won’t need me there, Minda,” she said, reminding herself to be professional about this.
“Alexia, this is a very important client—”
“Excuse me, ladies.”
It was Lucas.
“Good morning, Mr. Renner-Bilton,” Minda said, rising from her seat, her expression changing to one of accommodation.
Lexie mentally rolled her eyes. Brown-noser.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Lucas said, smiling at Lexie before turning to Minda and handing her a file. “Could you give this to Jeff Carmichael when you see him, please? They’re the complete specs of the new equipment they haven’t seen yet.”
“Will do.”
“Thank you,” Lucas said. “And Minda, calling me Lucas is fine, as I’ve said a few times before.”
“Okay, Lucas,” Minda said, simpering.
Lucas nodded, then turned to leave.
“Uh, Lucas,” Minda called. “I was telling Alexia that she should go with me to this meeting. Since the Carmichaels will be one of our biggest clients, I think it’s important that I have an able assista—um, colleague with me.”
Lexie tried to keep her irritation from showing. Lucas might be a personal friend, but at work, he was still the second big boss. Like Jade, she was conscious of maintaining professionalism in the workplace.
“I told Minda that Margaret can go with her,” Lexie said. “I’m sure I’m not necessary in that meeting.”
Minda stood up straighter. “And I’m sure we want to not only give our best to this very important client, but also to maximise our opportunities,” she said. “But Alexia doesn’t seem to share my sentiments so if she doesn’t see fit to extend herself, then I’ll take Margaret with me.”
Lexie’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe what Minda had just insinuated in front of Lucas. The nerve of the woman!
Lucas took a deep breath, crossing his arms as he scrutinised Minda. “Yes, Lexie. Why don’t you go with Minda today?” he said after a pause.
Lexie’s eyebrows rose in surprise, just as Minda’s did. Minda was probably shocked that Lucas had called her Lexie instead of Alexia. Well, several workmates did call her by her nickname, if Minda had cared to notice.
“Make sure everything goes well, Lex,” Lucas said quietly, with a message in his tone.
Lexie nodded. She got it. If she was not mistaken, Lucas wanted her to keep Minda in line if Minda decided to go overboard with the Carmichaels. Minda had already developed a reputation for being aggressive with pushing additional services to clients. Lucas wouldn’t want that attitude applied to his close friends.
*****
Lexie entered the Carmichael Corporation’s building in a relaxed state—quite opposite Minda’s demeanour. Her colleague seemed to be seething inside for some reason.
“So tell me,” Minda said. “Why did Lucas call you ‘Lexie’? I mean, I’ve heard other people at work call you that, but they’re your friends.”
Ah. That was the bee in Minda’s bonnet.
“Lucas is a friend,” she said with a shrug.
“A friend? What do you mean? Are you close?”
Lexie repressed a sigh. “Yes, we’re quite close because Jade—his fiancée, if you didn’t know—is one of my best friends. But I suppose the reason you haven’t noticed is because we are boss and employee while at work.”
Minda frowned and Lexie could feel the animosity coming off the woman. Minda obviously didn’t like what she’d heard. What was her problem?
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what to do during this meeting,” Minda said, her condescending manner returning.
“Remind me anyway,” she answ
ered, dialling down her sarcasm. It would help if she and Minda were on the same page. They were both here to represent their employer.
“I’ll be doing the talking and I just need you to jot down important information,” Minda said. “I won’t be taking notes at all since I’ll be focusing on the conversation with the client. First, I need to make sure that they do sign the contract. Then, I need to see if I can upsell them on other things.”
“From what I gathered, Lucas has already finalised things with them,” she reminded her. “We’re just here to get the paperwork organised.”
“It’s my job to get as much business as I can from them, Alexia,” Minda said coldly.
Lexie sighed. She was sure Lucas would have already done a thorough job of presenting everything their company could offer to the Carmichaels. She’d have to watch Minda and jump in if the woman became inordinately pushy.
They presented themselves at reception and were asked to go to the top floor.
Lexie felt a bit claustrophobic when they got in one of the lifts. It was too confined a space to be stuck with Minda, who was now checking herself in the mirrors that lined the walls of the elevator. Minda patted her hair and bared her teeth, making sure nothing was stuck in between. Then she did some deep breathing exercises, closing her eyes, even.
Lexie tried not to stare. Wow. This woman was seriously high-strung.
They reached their destination and a lady, who introduced herself as the PA to the COO, Jeff Carmichael, led them to an impressive meeting room with sleek modern furniture.
“Can I offer you ladies a drink?” the PA said with a friendly smile as she motioned for them to take a seat.
“Just water for me, please,” Minda said.
“Same here, thank you,” Lexie answered.
“Sure. Jeff will be with you in a minute,” the PA said before leaving the room.
Lexie wondered if Jeff would remember her. It had been a while since they’d met.
“I’m glad you only asked for water, Alexia,” Minda said.
“Why is that?”
“You don’t want to appear too familiar, especially on your first time meeting a client. And by the way, for all we know, Jeff Carmichael could be a strict, stick-to-business kind of man. We need to read him first before we engage in light jokes or anything like that. You should just follow my lead if you think you need to say something.”
Gosh, Lexie pitied anyone else who’d have to work closely with this unbelievable woman. Who the hell had given Minda a good enough reference that she actually got a job at Bilton Machineries? She’d have to talk to the manager of their department about Minda’s attitude.
“I have met Jeff Carmichael before,” she informed Minda. “He’s actually very down-to-earth and friendly.”
Minda’s eyes widened. “Where did you meet him?”
“At a party.”
“And why are you just telling me this now?”
She shrugged. “Didn’t seem important to mention earlier.”
“Are you friends with him?”
“I’ve only just met him once.” And he’s my boyfriend’s cousin.
Lexie was sure, though, that Jeff didn’t know about her and Rick. They hadn’t told anyone else but Erin.
“Well, he might not remember you.” Minda said, looking put out.
The door opened and Jeff’s PA entered with their glasses of water and a tray of yummy-looking cookies. Lexie wondered if Minda had anything to say about munching on them. Would that be acting too familiar?
Jeff soon arrived and they both stood up.
“Lexie!” he said in delighted surprise, coming over to kiss her on the cheek. “I didn’t know you’d be joining us today. Lucas didn’t say.”
“Hi, Jeff,” she said with a smile, pleased that Jeff not only remembered her face but also her name. “Good to see you again.”
“Yeah, it’s been months. And you must be Minda.” He gestured for a handshake.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Carmichael,” Minda murmured.
“Call me Jeff, please.”
They all sat down and Jeff opened the folder that his PA had left for him.
“Well, my brothers and I have already discussed this with Lucas, so here’s the signed document.” Jeff handed it to Lexie.
“Thank you,” she answered, trying not to look at Minda, who must be fuming at Jeff’s unconscious snub.
“Lucas gave me something to hand to you, Jeff,” Minda said, pushing the folder towards Jeff.
Jeff checked out the contents. “Oh, yes. He told me about these.”
“Do you have any questions about them? I’m happy to discuss them with you.”
“I don’t know yet. I’ll hand them to our head engineer and see what he says.”
“I understand,” Minda said in a professional voice. “I also just want to let you know that Lucas can get very busy. You might find it hard to reach him. If you need answers urgently, you’ll get them quicker if you call my direct line. Here’s my card.”
Lexie couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Fortunately, Minda wasn’t looking her way to catch it.
But Jeff was, and he grinned widely.
“Thank you, Minda,” Jeff said, accepting her card. “If I can’t get hold of Lucas, I’ll give you a ring. But usually, I just turn up at his doorstep and drag him out of bed.”
Minda stared at Jeff.
“We’re good friends,” Jeff supplied.
“Oh. I see,” Minda said. “Well, is there anything else I can help you with?”
“That’s it for now. Thank you both for coming.”
“Okay,” Minda said with a frown. “Like I said, Jeff, if you need me for anything, please don’t hesitate to call.”
“I won’t. Thank you.”
Jeff led them out of the room and escorted them to the elevators. Lexie’s heart skipped when she saw a man waiting for the lifts. It was Rick.
“Rick!” Minda called out.
Rick’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw them.
Well, Lexie was surprised too. Rick had told her that he couldn’t meet her for lunch because he had to go to a meeting outside of Sydney. That obviously wasn’t the case. The Carmichael building was only a block and a half away from her office.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Minda said, the pleasure in her voice obvious.
“Yes,” Rick said with a smile.
“Leaving now, bro?” Jeff asked.
“Yes. I’ll see you later.”
The two guys man-hugged, then Jeff said goodbye to the three of them.
“Are you friends with Jeff Carmichael?” Minda asked.
“He’s my cousin,” Rick answered.
“Oh,” Minda said, her eyes rounding. “Carmichael... Donnelly...”
“Our mothers were sisters,” Rick clarified.
“Were?”
“They’ve both passed away.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Minda murmured.
“Anyway, what are you ladies doing here today?”
“We had a meeting with Jeff about a new contract,” Minda said.
“I didn’t know you still go to client meetings, Lexie,” Rick said, smiling at her.
“Minda asked me to come with her,” she answered.
“Where are you off to now, Rick?” Minda asked.
“Actually,” he said, pulling out his phone. “I was about to go to your office to see Lucas about this special project that Lexie’s also involved in.”
Minda glanced at Lexie, bewildered.
Lexie just smiled at the woman, who was clearly shocked and envious. Lexie had no idea what project Rick was talking about, but she’d follow his lead.
Rick spoke cryptically to Lucas as they rode the lift down to the ground floor, saying something about discussing a few things with Lexie over lunch.
“Sorry to spring this on you, Lex,” Rick said as he hung up. “But are you free for lunch? Lucas can’t make it, but he’s happy for the two of us to talk about it.”
“Sure,” she said. “I’ll see you back in the office, Minda,” she added to her officemate when they exited the elevator.
“Fine,” Minda answered and strutted out of the building with a flick of her hair.
“What’s wrong with her?” Rick asked.
“She hates being overshadowed,” Lexie said dryly.
“Right,” Rick said with a chuckle.
“Anyway, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“My meeting up at the Central Coast got cancelled, so I came to say hello to my cousins instead. Ready to go to our favourite hotel?”
She smiled. “Okay.”
They walked silently to what had become their love nest, and Rick seemed miles away.
Lexie glanced at him, wondering what was wrong. She wished she could hold his hand, but who knew who might see them?
She sighed, hating all this hiding. They’d been doing it for two months and she was getting sick of not being free to go out with Rick like a normal couple. But there was still no light at the end of this particular tunnel.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Rick walked with Lexie to the hotel, his mind wandering off to what he’d discovered recently.
He’d gone to Shelley and Betty’s last night and given Betty a bottle of wine to hand to Todd. He figured he should continue building rapport with the man who could help him out of his mess.
Betty had been sincerely touched by his gesture and, taking advantage of Betty’s good mood, he’d mentioned he’d love to “bury the hatchet” with her. He’d lightly suggested tearing up the contract, as long as he remained trustee of Shelley’s assets.
To his utter surprise, Betty had gone teary, although she’d tried to hide it. She’d said that she’d want nothing more than forget their quarrels and live in peace, but that a contract was a contract.
He’d tried to reassure her that Shelley’s money was safe with him. Ironic that he’d had to convince her of that.
Betty had said she did trust him. She’d kept insisting, though, that the best thing for everyone was to let the contract run its course.
Betty’s countenance had betrayed that she was hiding something. Her expression had been a blend of panic and warning, appearing to want to say something to him but changing her mind.
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