The Love Game

by Regina Hart

  The salmon and broiled asparagus Lily had made for their weekly family dinner on Wednesday were forgotten for the moment. Her two older sisters sat on the other side of their family’s dining table, now Lily’s table. Iris waited for their reactions.

  Rose’s wide cocoa eyes narrowed dangerously. “Is he crazy?”

  Lily blinked. “Was he serious?”

  “I couldn’t believe it, either.” Iris chased an asparagus spear across her plate.

  “Men.” Rose sounded as though the word left a bad taste in her mouth. “They think they know everything when in fact, they know nothing.”

  Here we go again.

  “Could we please not make this about you and Ben?” Iris asked, referring to Rose’s ex-fiancé, Benjamin Shippley.

  “Iris!” Lily sent a worried look toward Rose.

  “Did I say anything about him?” Rose stiffened.

  “You were thinking him.” Iris cut into the salmon. It sliced like butter. Pity her appetite was gone. “Ben was a jerk but do you still have to be so negative?”

  “Compared to you, everyone is negative.” Rose glared across the table. “Take off your rose-tinted glasses, Pollyanna. Ty’s comment shows he doesn’t trust you.”

  “He will once he gets to know me.” Iris claimed a piece of salmon with her fork.

  “No, he won’t because he doesn’t want to trust you.” Rose raised her voice.

  “You’re assuming that, like you, Ty doesn’t trust anyone.” Iris held Rose’s darkening gaze. “I don’t believe that.”

  “We’re on your side, Iris.” Lily’s voice was strained. “His comment was uncalled for.”

  “You don’t think I can convince him to trust me, either?” Iris struggled with a sense of betrayal.

  “You shouldn’t have to.” Lily’s whiskey gaze was intent. “The question isn’t whether you can convince Tyler to trust you. Why doesn’t he trust you now?”

  Good question. “I don’t know.”

  Tyler had been such a jerk Monday to imply she’d behaved unprofessionally by smiling at his friend. But during the meeting this morning, he’d seemed like a different person. When he’d stood to explain to his associates how they’d individually contributed to the company’s success, she’d seen the good in him. He’d been thoughtful and charming.

  How do I get him to be thoughtful and charming to me?

  “He doesn’t trust you because he’s a man.” Rose stabbed an asparagus spear with her fork and shoved it into her mouth. “They aren’t trustworthy so they assume no one else is, either.”

  “All men aren’t bad.” Regret weighed on Iris. Would Rose ever believe that again?

  “Don’t let Ben win.” Lily’s voice was soft but firm.

  Iris’s heart squeezed at the pain that flashed across Rose’s elegant, honey features. “Lil’s right, Rosie. Ben was an ass. There’s someone out there who’ll give you the love and loyalty you deserve.”

  “For how long?” Rose lowered her fork and leaned into the table. “I was with Ben for two years before I realized he’d been cheating on me almost from the start. Love is a lie.”

  Iris again fantasized about pummeling her sister’s ex-fiancé. “I don’t believe that. I’m looking forward to meeting Mr. Right and living happily ever after. What about you, Lil?”

  Lily seemed startled. “I haven’t thought about it. I’ve had other things on my mind.”

  “Like what?” Iris sipped her cucumber water. It was the first time Lily had made the beverage. It wasn’t that bad.

  “Just other things.” Lily shrugged. “My career for example. I’m not looking for love. If it happens, it happens. In the meantime, I’m busy living my life.”

  Iris was impatient with Lily’s philosophical attitude. “Don’t you want someone to share your busy life with?” She sounded wistful even to her own ears. “Someone to plan your evening with or to be spontaneous with?”

  Rose snorted. “Someone whose schedule conflicts with yours. Someone you have to compromise with every time there’s a decision to make.”

  Iris gave her older sister a pointed look. “Someone who cheers you up when you’re in a bad mood.”

  Rose was stubborn. “Someone who leaves the toilet seat up or squeezes the toothpaste from the middle of the tube.”

  Lily gave Rose another concerned look. “Perhaps we should change the subject.”

  Iris was more than willing to comply. “What should I do about Ty? Should I confront him, ask him why he doesn’t trust me?”

  “Why? So he could lie to you?” Rose snorted.

  Lily shook her head. “Just be aware that you’re at a disadvantage. You’ll have to be extra careful and triple-check your work.”

  “Why should she have to work that way?” Rose pointed at Iris with her fork. “If I were you, I’d march into his office and tell him what he could do with his suspicious, little mind.”

  “I need the money, Rose.” And the campaign is exciting—not to mention Tyler himself, even if he is infuriating. “Regardless of what the two of you think, I believe I can change his mind about me.”

  Was that challenge part of Tyler’s appeal? There was something undeniably compelling about Anderson Adventures’ vice president of product development. He challenged her—and infuriated her. He made her heart beat faster.

  “Good luck with that.” Rose ate a forkful of salmon.

  Iris smiled at her sister’s sarcasm. “I have the skills to prove you wrong.”

  “I believe in you, Iris.” Rose’s voice was somber. “It’s your client I don’t trust.”

  Maybe she was being foolishly optimistic. But despite her annoyance over Tyler’s comment, she was confident he’d treat her fairly, unlike her previous employer.

  With or without her rose-tinted glasses, she’d gain his trust. She needed it for this product launch. And she wanted it for something more that she wasn’t prepared to accept. Not yet.

  * * *

  “Hard at work, Ty?” Lauren’s greeting interrupted Tyler’s train of thought.

  With great reluctance, Tyler saved the file on his computer screen and rose to his feet. “Hello, Lauren.”

  Why had she come to his office and how long was she planning to stay?

  “You look busy.” But rather than walking away, Lauren stepped into his office.

  “There’s a lot to do.” And he was running out of time. “Are you meeting Xavier for lunch?”

  Tyler checked his watch. It was a few minutes after noon on the second Thursday in April. He had an appointment with Iris in about three hours to discuss the internal launch. His excitement over their upcoming meeting was out of character. He usually did everything he could to avoid them. But in this case, he actually looked forward to the excuse to spend time with her.

  “Yes, but I thought I’d stop by to say hello.” Lauren came to a stop in front of his desk.

  Really? When did we become friends? Tyler mentally shrugged. He’d play along. “How are you?”

  “Fine.” Lauren’s smile was stiff. “How’s the product launch progressing?”

  “It’s going well.” Tyler shoved his hands into the front pockets of his beige khakis, hoping to mask his impatience.

  Lauren had accessorized her pale blue business dress with a chunky silver necklace and matching bracelet. Her sleek brown bob ended just above her shoulders. What did Xavier see in the corporate executive? Yes, she was beautiful, intelligent, poised and professional. But she also was cold and distant. He couldn’t imagine Lauren engaging Anderson Adventures’ associates in the recent focus group the way Iris had.

  “You have a lot riding on the launch’s success.” Lauren rested a hip against one of the guest chairs and slid her gaze around his office.

  “There’s a lot riding on
every product launch.” Tyler resisted the urge to check the time again. How long was it going to take her to say hello?

  Lauren’s apparent interest in developing a better relationship with Xavier’s family and learning more about their business was understandable. But he didn’t have time for idle chitchat. The release date for “Osiris’s Journey” was coming up fast—thirteen weeks and counting—and they still had a lot of features to refine.

  “But you’re in charge of this launch.” Lauren kept talking. “If it fails, your father will look elsewhere for the company’s next CEO.”

  “How do you know that?” Tyler’s brows knitted.

  “You, Xavier and Van discussed it, remember?” Lauren adjusted the strap of her black purse on her shoulder, then rested her well-manicured hands on the back of a guest chair. “I overheard you.”

  Tyler’s memory flashed back to the afternoon Lauren had walked into his office while he’d been telling Donovan and Xavier about his meeting with his father. Was she in the habit of eavesdropping outside offices?

  “We have a good product. The launch will be successful.” Tyler needed an interruption to allow him to gracefully get out of spending any more time with Lauren.

  “I’m sure you’ll do your best.”

  “Thanks.” Had she meant to sound condescending?

  “The internal launch is Friday, May first, right? I’m sorry I won’t be allowed to attend it.” Lauren’s gaze never wavered from his. “Xavier said you aren’t inviting guests to the event.”

  “It’s for associates only.”

  “That’s what he said.” Lauren shrugged a thin shoulder. “I admit that I’m disappointed.”

  “I’m sure you can understand. It’s an internal event.” Why were they having this conversation?

  “Will your aunt be there?”

  “Of course.”

  Lauren arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “So you’re making an exception for her?”

  “Aunt Kayla is a member of the executive team.” Tyler was approaching the end of his patience.

  “And she’s family. I’ve been dating your cousin for some time now. I feel like a part of your family.”

  But you’re not. And you’ve only been dating Xavier for two months.

  Tyler glanced at his monitor, choosing not to address Lauren’s point. “I’d better get back to work. As I said, there’s a lot to do.”

  “By all means.” Lauren stepped back from the chair. “You’re welcome to join us for lunch.”

  No way. “Thanks but I’m working through.”

  Lauren’s smile was almost sincere. “Once in a while, you should try getting away from your desk.”

  “That’s what Xavier and Van say.” And his father. And Aunt Kayla and Sherry.

  “They’re right.” Lauren turned and disappeared through his doorway.

  Tyler returned to his seat. But he wasn’t able to refocus on his product testing. Instead, he stared blindly at his monitor. Why had Lauren come to see him? What did she want? There was something disconcerting about Lauren. He couldn’t define it. But whatever it was made him uncomfortable around her.

  Iris posed a completely different problem. There was something about his marketing consultant that compelled him to seek her out. She ruled his thoughts from the moment he opened his eyes in the morning until he settled into bed at night. What was it? And what could he do to fight it?

  He’d thought having her nearby would dim her appeal. He’d been wrong. More than two weeks had passed since she’d moved into the small conference room down the hall and around the corner from his office. During that time, his attraction to her had only strengthened. He was going out of his mind.

  Tyler’s stomach growled. Loudly. According to the time displayed in the lower corner of his computer monitor, he’d been woolgathering for almost five minutes. No, not woolgathering. Iris had consumed his thoughts again. He frowned at the minifridge in the far corner of his office. He’d packed a perfectly decent sandwich and container of soup but they didn’t interest him.

  What was Iris doing for lunch? She had a habit of eating at her desk, too. He’d see her using the microwave in the office kitchenette. Tyler tapped his keyboard to lock his computer, then pushed himself to his feet. He had an urge to find Iris. This time, he wouldn’t fight it.

  He left his office, closing the door so the automatic lock triggered. He strode down the hall to the small conference room and found its door locked. Tyler knocked to get Iris’s attention. She rose from her seat.

  Iris pulled open the door. “Hello, Ty.”

  Her dark purple business dress skimmed her neat, slender curves, stopping just above her knees. The color made her honey features seem even warmer. Her matching three-inch stilettos caused his brain to stutter. How many shoes does she own?

  Tyler looked into her cool coffee eyes. She still hadn’t forgiven him. “You can prop open the door.”

  “I suppose I could.” Iris stepped back.

  Tyler dropped to his left knee. He reached for the wedge of oak wood to push it beneath the door just as Iris extended her leg to tap the wood into place. He caught hold of her ankle. Tyler’s arm shook as though he’d been jolted with electricity. The warmth of her skin filled the palm of his hand. His gaze followed the length of her long, well-curved calf to her knee. His hand itched to trace the shapely muscle. Dazed, he looked up, still on one knee. Iris’s beautiful eyes were clouded. She tugged her leg from his hand. Embarrassed, Tyler let her go.

  “Is this the part where you ask me to try on a glass slipper?” Her teasing smile trembled around the edges.

  Tyler shoved the wedge under the door, then rose to his feet. He drew in a breath, capturing the scent of citrus and vanilla. Iris’s scent. “Am I your Prince Charming?”

  * * *

  Iris’s thoughts scattered to the four winds. Had Tyler Anderson just turned the tables on her? She’d expected him to respond to her comment with a blank stare. Instead he’d issued his own challenge. She’d underestimated him—and the effect of his smooth baritone on her senses. Not to mention the feel of his hand on her leg.

  “Our meeting isn’t until later this afternoon.” Iris retreated to her desk. Her ankle was still warm from his touch. “I haven’t crunched the estimates from all of the vendors yet.”

  “How’s it looking so far?”

  Iris stopped beside her chair. She dragged her gaze from Tyler to the papers strewn across the glass-topped table. “So far, it’s even better than I’d hoped.”

  “Is there anything you can tell me now?” Tyler took a step toward the table. Then another. His movements were like a panther stalking his prey. Iris was mesmerized.

  What were they talking about again? The budget; that’s right. “I can only speak in generalities. When we meet later this afternoon, I’ll give you specific numbers.”

  “Fair enough.” Tyler nodded toward the dark purple jacket hooked to the back of one of the chairs. “Let’s get lunch.”

  “I brought my lunch.” That was a lame response but he’d caught her by surprise.

  “Eat it for dinner instead or lunch tomorrow.”

  Iris started to decline his invitation but the challenge in his eyes made her hesitate. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. All I did was smile at Donovan and you accused me of flirting with him. If I have lunch with you, what will you accuse me of?”

  “Very good judgment.” The gleam in his eyes caused Iris to doubt his claim.

  “You usually work through lunch.”

  “So do you. But I’ve been told that I should see the world outside my desk once in a while. Join me.” His voice evoked thoughts of something other than lunch.

  What’s going on here?

  Iris glanced at the small silver cooler that held her chicken sa
lad and thermos of iced tea. They’d both keep. Still she hesitated. His invitation was tempting but she couldn’t afford to give in to what she suspected was a growing attraction to her client. Iris wanted to fall in love. But this was not the right place and certainly not the right time.

  She tightened her grip on the back of her chair. “I really should keep working.”

  “I admire your dedication but you could use a break.”

  Careful, Iris, he’s not playing fair. Remember Cathy’s words of caution. But another voice whispered, You started your own firm during an economic recession. When have you ever allowed caution to be your guide?

  “All right.” Iris drew a deep breath, then collected her jacket from a nearby chair. “Let’s do lunch.”

  The approval in his gaze made her question her sanity. Less than twenty minutes later, they were shown to a booth at a neighborhood restaurant. The young hostess gave them each a menu. Then Jan, their server, arrived to take their drink orders, two ice waters with lemon.

  Iris lifted her gaze from her menu. “Why did you invite me to lunch?” A better question was why had she accepted? She wasn’t ready to answer that question, though.

  “We eat at our desks too often. I thought we could both use a change.” His shrug was a small movement of broad muscles under his beige jersey.

  “If I’d invited you to lunch, would you have accused me of flirting with you?”

  “You’re still upset over my comment about your smiling at Van.”

  He was intuitive for a computer geek. “It was offensive.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was wrong.” He sounded as if he really meant it.

  “All right.” She’d never expected him to apologize, especially not so easily. Now that he’d removed her resentment, she felt naked in front of him.

  Moments later, Jan returned with their drinks and took their meal orders. Iris requested the salmon salad. Tyler asked for a Caesar salad and a burger.

  Iris gazed around the restaurant. She’d never been here before. Their surroundings looked expensive, dark wood and black leather. Comfortable booths circled the room. Tables were arranged in the center with plenty of space for the waitstaff to wind their way across the floor. The wood-paneled walls were decorated with black-and-white photos of Columbus. The effect was a warm neighborhood ambience.