The Love Game

by Regina Hart

  “What do you have so far for the internal launch budget?” Tyler asked.

  “I haven’t finished compiling the vendor estimates yet. We’re supposed to meet this afternoon.”

  “Then what would you like to talk about?” Tyler leaned into the table.

  Is he flirting with me?

  Iris’s protective instincts kicked in. “You have a point.” She drank her water as she collected her thoughts. “I was able to negotiate with the vendors to get all of your employees’ requests for the event.”

  Tyler’s eyebrows rose. “Even Ted’s live band?”

  “He agreed to a disc jockey, remember?”

  “That’s right. Good work.” The approval in Tyler’s dark eyes caused the pulse at the base of Iris’s throat to beat wildly.

  “Thank you.” She sipped her water.

  “Today’s April ninth.” Tyler sat back on his chair. “The event’s only a month away. Will that be enough time?”

  You still don’t trust me to deliver. “It’s three weeks and one day away. I’ve put a hold on the car service and convention center ballroom. All you need to do is sign the contracts, if you agree with them.”

  “I’ll look at them when we meet later. Have you worked with these companies before?”

  She had. Iris told Tyler about her past projects with the car-service company and her contact at the city’s convention center. His questions kept Iris on her toes. At the same time, the attention he focused on her was almost seductive. She struggled to concentrate.

  Their conversation was interrupted when Jan brought their lunches and again when she refilled their water glasses.

  “Take me through the schedule.” Tyler started with his salad. “What time will the event start?”

  Without her project folder, Iris worked from memory. Not a problem. She’d been reviewing the information all morning. “The car service will send drivers to Anderson Adventures at 10:00 a.m. Your employees will settle into the ballroom. Your father will greet them and start the event with a brief speech. Then the convention center’s waitstaff will serve lunch.”

  “Why would we feed them before the presentations?” Tyler ate more of his salad.

  Iris watched Tyler carry a forkful of lettuce to his mouth and slip it between his lips. She swallowed. Hard. “Your associates will be more attentive on a full stomach. Trust me.”

  What’s wrong with me? I’ve had business lunches before. Why am I finding it so hard to concentrate with this man?

  Iris tried to collect her thoughts as she nudged a tomato to the edge of her plate, then sliced the salmon and salad in her bowl.

  “Good point.” Tyler nodded, holding her gaze.

  Is he aware of the effect he has on me? Please don’t let him know Donovan’s not the one on my mind. He is.

  Iris rushed to fill the silence. “Speaking of presentations, how’s yours coming?”

  “I’ll have it for you before lunch tomorrow.”

  What was taking him so long?

  Iris wanted Tyler to trust her to make the internal and external launches a success but she was a bundle of nerves herself. She’d feel a heck of a lot better with his presentation in hand. It was the main feature of the entire event.

  “Has my father given you his speech?” Tyler bit into his burger.

  “Yes, it’s really good.”

  “I’m sure it is.” There was an odd note in his voice.

  “I had very few comments. I’ll send my feedback to both of you by the end of the day for a final review.”

  “I’d like to see it first.”

  “Sure.” Iris angled her head. Curiosity gave her something to concentrate on other than her uncomfortable attraction. “May I ask why?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not putting you in the middle of a controversy.” Tyler took another drink of water. “I just want to make sure my father and I aren’t repeating each other.”

  He sounded reasonable. Then why do I feel like he isn’t telling me everything?

  “Is it true you’re in line to succeed your father as CEO of Anderson Adventures—providing he’s happy with the way you handle the launches?”

  “Where did you hear that?” Tyler seemed tense.

  Iris lowered her knife and fork. “Please don’t misunderstand. Your associates weren’t gossiping. They asked how the internal launch was progressing. That’s when they expressed their concern over the company’s future.”

  “They must be very comfortable with you to confide in you.” He sounded surprised.

  “Are the rumors true?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  Talk about pressure. “We both have a lot riding on this project, which is the reason we need to be honest with each other.”

  “Agreed.”

  Iris smiled. He sounded so much like his father when he said that. “Good. You can start by telling me the real reason you want to see Foster’s talking points first.”

  Tyler put down what remained of his burger. “You really aren’t like any consultant I’ve ever worked with before.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  “I have a feeling you think you’re in charge.”

  “No, I don’t.” Do I? Iris ignored the warmth in her cheeks. “Just tell me why there’s tension between you and your father.”

  Tyler arched an eyebrow. “No, you don’t think you’re in charge. Not at all.” There was irony in his voice. “I love my father very much but he keeps second-guessing my decisions.”

  “He has very definite opinions about the launch. But he’s the CEO.” Iris smiled to soften her words. “I’m sure the fact he’s your father adds to his certainty that he knows best.”

  “It’s my launch. He should leave the decisions to me.” Tyler dragged a hand over his close-cropped hair.

  “Tell him that,” Iris suggested. “If your promotion depends on how you handle this project, then tell him you want to have total control over it. You want to fail or succeed on our own.”

  Iris finished her salad while Tyler digested her words.

  Finally, he nodded his agreement. “I’ll take your advice. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” She smiled, thinking of Rose. “I have some experience handling bossy relatives.”

  Tyler’s eyes widened. “Someone bossier than you? That’s hard to imagine.”

  Iris’s lips curved into a lopsided smile. “I never said I listened to her.”

  “That sounds like the woman I’m getting to know.”

  Iris’s gaze slid away from the admiration in Tyler’s dark eyes. She was getting to know him, as well. It scared her how much she liked what she saw.

  Chapter 7

  “Are we on schedule with the internal launch?” Foster stood in the threshold of Tyler’s office.

  It was almost six o’clock Friday evening—a day after his lunch with Iris. Anderson Adventures was as still and quiet as a morgue. Even Donovan and Xavier had left for the weekend. Tyler was pretty sure he and his father were the last people in the office. Judging by the black faux-leather briefcase in Foster’s fist, Tyler was about to become the last executive standing.

  “I signed the vendor contracts yesterday.” Tyler saved his computer file, then swung his chair around to face his father.

  “I would’ve liked to have seen them.” Foster strolled into Tyler’s office and sat in front of his desk. He placed his briefcase beside the chair. Foster had paired his conservative brown suit with a bold red tie. It was a sharp if old-fashioned look.

  “These weren’t the first contracts I’ve reviewed.” Tyler tried not to sound defensive.

  “I know.” Foster adjusted the crease in his suit pants before crossing his legs. “In the future, let me know if you want me to review anything with
you. How are things going with Iris?”

  “Fine.” He welcomed his father’s change of subject. “I like the communication pieces she’s creating for us.”

  “She’s doing good work.” Foster nodded. “The two of you had lunch yesterday.”

  “How did you know that?”

  Foster chuckled. “I saw you leaving together. I like her. She has a lot of spirit and determination.”

  Yes, she does. She’s intelligent, creative and sexy as hell. But Tyler didn’t want his growing attraction to their marketing consultant to bias him toward her work. “Let’s see how well the launches go.”

  “I’ve been thinking about the internal launch.” Foster rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and linked his fingers. “Our associates should meet us at the convention center instead of driving to the office, then taking limos to the center.”

  His father was second-guessing him. Again. “Are you concerned about the cost?”

  “No, you and Xavier have assured me that Iris’s initial estimates are within your comfort zone.” Foster arched a brow. “Considering how stingy the two of you can be, I’m certain we’re nowhere near overspending.”

  “If it’s not about the expense, why do you want to change the transportation arrangements?”

  “It’ll be more convenient for our associates to drive themselves to the convention center.”

  This again? They’d had this debate last week. He’d thought it had been decided. Why was Foster revisiting it?

  Foster spread his hands. “We shouldn’t make them drive all the way into the office.”

  “We’re not forcing them to do that.” Tyler leaned into his desk. “We’re offering the limo as an option. It’ll save them the hassle of driving downtown and the expense of parking at the center.”

  Foster hesitated. “I don’t want anyone to feel pressured into coming to the office first.”

  “We’ll make it clear that they have a choice.”

  “Good, then.” Foster started to push himself to his feet. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

  “Dad, wait. There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

  “What is it?” Foster resumed his seat.

  Tyler recalled Iris’s theory on Foster’s possible motivation for second-guessing him. Her opinion was a good place to start. “I realize that as CEO, it’s hard for you to step back and let someone else take the lead on a project. Being my father, as well, must make it even harder. But, Dad, I need to do this on my own without being second-guessed.”

  “I’m just trying to help, Ty.”

  “I know and although I appreciate your input, I want to succeed or fail without your shadow looming over me.”

  Foster was silent for a moment, watching Tyler from the other side of the desk. The silence seemed to go on for an hour but probably was only a few seconds. “You’re right, son. I’ll back off.”

  “Thanks for understanding.” That was easier than he’d imagined it would be. He was glad he’d told his father how he felt—and grateful that Iris had suggested it.

  “I wouldn’t have imagined us having this conversation a month ago. I’m pleased and proud that you proved me wrong.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “By the way, how’s your speech coming along?”

  Tyler swallowed a sigh. His father was still checking up on him.

  “It’s getting there.” That was an overstatement. He hadn’t even started it. But, according to Iris’s production schedule, the executive team was supposed to get Foster’s and Tyler’s speeches on Monday to review and provide. Panic.

  “I’m looking forward to reading it.” Foster stood. “Don’t stay too late.”

  “I won’t.” Tyler held his smile until his father disappeared down the hall.

  I’m doomed.

  He had two days to put together a fifteen-minute presentation but he didn’t even know where to start. Communication had never been his strength. He needed help.

  * * *

  Forty minutes later, Tyler hesitated in front of Iris’s door. It was early April but the weather refused to show even a promise of spring. A cool breeze tugged at his steel-gray overcoat as though nudging him away from Iris’s townhome. Mother Nature had a point. The last time Tyler had shown up uninvited and unannounced, Iris had been irritated. Actually, that was an understatement.

  He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and took a step back. Maybe he should call Donovan. Words came easily to the vice president of sales. No. His shoulders rose and fell in frustration. His presentation for the internal launch was about more than words. Iris was the only one who understood that. She could get from him what he needed to express. Tyler gathered his courage, stepped forward and pressed her doorbell—quickly before doubts grabbed him again.

  Less than a minute later, Iris appeared in the doorway. Irritation rose like steam in her coffee-colored eyes. “You’re making a huge assumption about my personal life.”

  “Excuse me?” He hadn’t expected that greeting. Did I miss something?

  “What makes you think I’m alone? I could have company.”

  He felt sick. “Do you?”

  “No, but I could have.” She crossed her arms, drawing Tyler’s attention to her loose-fitting dark purple jersey. Her normally sleek sable hair was tousled. Her elegant honey features were washed clean of cosmetics, making her look even younger. Her skimpy, pale gray shorts revealed long, well-shaped legs. Her toenails were painted a pale shade of pink that reminded him of cotton candy. The polished professional he’d been working with for the past two weeks had vanished. In her place was a woman who aroused his interest in things other than Anderson Adventures.

  Tyler lifted both hands, palms out. “I know you don’t hold client meetings in your home but I really need your help.”

  With those words, the irritation cleared from Iris’s eyes. She stepped back, pulling the door wider. “Come in.”

  Tyler entered her townhome before she reconsidered. “Thank you.”

  She extended her hand for his coat, then hung it in her closet before leading him farther into her home. “What can I help you with?”

  She’d cranked up the heat, which explained those short shorts despite the cool air outside. The savory scent of well-seasoned chicken accompanied Tyler through her living room and into her dining room. His gaze followed Iris as she crossed the entrance to her kitchen.

  “Am I interrupting your dinner?” Tyler watched her stop in front of her stove and turn up the burner under the skillet.

  “As a matter of fact, you are. Have you eaten?” Iris picked up a knife and a carrot that lay beside a bowl of salad on the counter. From a CD player on the other end of the stone surface, Alicia Keys was singing about someone’s smile.

  “No, I came here straight from the office.” Tyler’s stomach growled as he watched Iris slice carrots into the bowl.

  “I’m not making anything special. It’s just chicken salad.” She spoke with her back to him. “But there’s enough for two.”

  “I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”

  “Then we should’ve had this conversation at the office.” Iris turned off the stove. She opened an overhead cabinet and pulled down two large bowls. “Since you’re here, have a seat and tell me how I can help you.”

  Tyler pulled out a chair from under the matching mahogany dining table and settled onto it. “My father asked about the launch’s progress this afternoon. He brought up having associates drive to the center again.”

  “That’s not a good idea.” Iris carried two tall glasses of ice water to the dining table.

  “Agreed.” Tyler spotted navy blue mats in the center of the table and slid them into place. “I took your advice and told him I wanted to succeed or fail on my own.”


  “What did he say?” Iris returned to the kitchen.

  “He agreed. Then he asked to see my speech for the employee launch.”

  “I’d like to see it, too.” Iris came back with two bowls of chicken salad. She set one in front of Tyler, then took her seat with the other. “It’s due Monday.”

  “I’m having trouble with it.” Tyler inhaled the savory scent of the chicken. His mouth watered.

  “Most of your presentation is a demonstration of the game.” Iris forked up her salad. “How much of it have you written?”

  Tyler hesitated. “None.”

  Iris froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. She lowered her hand and faced him. “You told me you were working on it.”

  “I am. I just haven’t written anything down.”

  “It’s been two weeks. If you were having trouble, you should have said something before.”

  She was right. “I’ve been busy with the game’s testing and modifications.”

  “You were also supposed to be busy writing this speech.” Iris rose from the table. “Excuse me.”

  Tyler watched her leave the room, then heard her footsteps as she went upstairs. Where was she going? What was she doing? He stared at his salad. Tension had a negative effect on his appetite.

  Iris returned minutes later with a writing tablet and a ballpoint pen. She laid the materials next to Tyler before reclaiming her seat. “This will be a working dinner.”

  Tyler uncapped the pen. “Where do I start?”

  “Where do you want to start?” Iris chewed a mouthful of salad. She would have made a tough teacher, the type students dreaded because she wouldn’t give an inch.

  “How about, ‘This is a proud moment for Anderson Adventures’?”

  Iris’s dark eyes glazed over. “May I make a suggestion?”

  “Please.”

  “When we held the focus group with fifteen of your associates, most of them said they didn’t know how they played a part in ‘Osiris’s Journey.’”