Funny, Sarah had only just noticed it did that. Just like her brother’s.
“Would you guess he’s there now?”
“Absolutely.”
With a clipped goodbye, Sarah left the pair to watch as she briskly walked to the door of the stairwell. She had reached full speed by the time her tennis shoes hit the stairs. Her mind spun quickly as she flew down the stairs. By the time she reached the door to the street, she had a plan.
During the past decade, she’d learned a thing or two about making business deals. While much of it came down to statistics, analysis, and facts, a certain amount of it depended on luck. But whether she was playing a game of cards or sealing a deal, it always helped to have a good hand.
This time, when she faced Beck, she’d have more than an ace up her sleeve. She’d have a full house.
Beck was still placing his order when Sarah sprinted into the pizza parlor. Pausing just a moment to take a breath, she pulled back her shoulders and stalked toward him. As he reached for his wallet, she plopped her credit card down on the counter.
“I’ll take a slice of the black truffle and gorgonzola and a bottle of Shiner. I’ve got his order, too.”
Jaw slack, Beck gaped. The college student behind the counter darted a nervous glance his way, but took her credit card and rang up the order. She scribbled her name and a healthy tip on the receipt.
Turning to face him, she once again registered the disbelief and confusion on his face. She couldn’t blame him. She had, after all, just crashed his dinner. It was presumptuous. Rude, even. But at this moment, it was absolutely necessary. Hopefully Emily Post—and her mother—would forgive the rudeness.
“We need to talk,” she said.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Yeah, okay.”
Recovered, Beck strode toward a corner table near the back of the restaurant, leaving her to follow. Sitting down, he gestured for her to take the seat opposite him.
“You want to talk? Talk.”
As far as attempts to level the playing field and restore a balance of power went, it was halfway effective. And, if she was completely honest with herself, she respected that.
Biting back a grin, she took the offered seat and rested her forearms on the table.
“Since we already covered the niceties earlier, do you mind if we skip them now and get right into it?”
One of his eyebrows quivered. “By all means.”
“Great.” She leaned forward. “Here’s the deal. I know you need money to start your own business.”
His eyes narrowed into slits. “Did Maisie tell you that?”
She didn’t figure he needed an answer. It was obvious to anyone who her inside source was on this tidbit of information.
“I’m prepared to offer you the exact amount you need. Plus—” she held up a hand before he could interrupt, “an additional bonus for every day you finish before the launch.”
“How much of a bonus?”
She threw out a number. This time his eyes widened. He leaned back in his chair, studying her closely to suss out whether or not she was bluffing.
“Look,” she said, not wanting to let this deal get away from her. “I know neither of us wants to hop into bed together again—so to speak.”
She cringed inwardly at her choice of terms. She’d always hated how sexual business lingo could be. There wasn’t time to dwell right now.
“But we both need something. I need a reliable server before my launch. You need cash. Don’t you think we can put the past behind us for a few days?”
Beck nodded slowly. She could practically see him making a list of pros and cons in his head. She’d done the same herself only five minutes earlier. Hopefully, like her, he’d come to the conclusion that the pros far outweighed the cons in this instance.
“It’ll take a lot of hours and muscle,” he said at last. “I’m not sure it’s even possible on such a tight timeframe.”
“So you’re worried you’re not up for it?” She clucked her tongue. “You never used to be afraid of getting your hands dirty or a challenge.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m not afraid.”
“Sounds like it.”
Letting out a rude grunt, he ran his hand over his dark hair. Not for the first time that day, she longed to reach out and straighten the freshly tousled locks. Or, better still, to make them even messier.
“I already have work scheduled during business hours. It will take a lot of overtime.”
“Like I said, I’ll make it worth your while.”
“And I suppose you’ll be watching over my shoulder the whole time.”
Annoyance flared in her fast and strong. “I’m not a micromanager.”
He held up his hands, wordlessly calling for a truce.
“But you’ll be around?”
“I’m a week away from launch, and I have a lot riding on this. Of course, I’ll be around.”
He gave a short nod. “You won’t interfere?”
“Not unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
He smirked. “Fair enough.”
They fell quiet again, each silently studying each other like they were embroiled in an epic staring contest or a game of chicken.
At last, Beck sighed. “Okay. I’m in. On one condition.”
She ignored the thrill that bubbled in her chest. Surely it was just relief that this last obstacle standing in the way of GO’s success would soon be behind her.
“What do you want?”
“We start fresh today. As far as either of us is concerned, we’ve just met.”
She understood what he meant. Hard as it would be to pretend that they hadn’t once enjoyed a relationship that had burned hot and fast, he was right. They couldn’t revisit it and keep this partnership professional.
Sarah offered her hand. “We have a deal.”
Beck accepted it and shook. She tried to ignore the jolt of pleasure his firm hand against hers sent down her back.
“When do we start?” he asked.
“How’s tomorrow?” Just like he’d wanted. See, she could compromise.
His lips curved up, and he released her hand. “Whatever you say, boss.”
Chapter Four
Beck arrived at the GO offices promptly at six the following evening. Toting the equipment he’d need for the night on a flatbed, with his dinner packed in a small travel cooler, he should be good to put in at least five or six hours that night. The sooner he finished, the better.
The money Sarah had promised to deliver would guarantee he could work for himself. At last. With half the money already deposited in his account, just like she’d promised, Beck could all but see himself as the master and commander of his own small enterprise.
He only hoped this crucial step of getting there wasn’t a mistake.
Pulling his cart over to the spot he’d been the day before, Beck glanced around surprised—but frankly relieved—to discover that Sarah wasn’t waiting for him. He had no doubt she’d be by to check on him sooner than later, but maybe he could get a little work done without her breathing down his neck.
Or, rather, without him wishing she’d get close enough to breathe down his neck.