Chapter Three
RUTH
Inside the Phoenix Convention Center, I checked in at the registration booth to get my conference badge and hung the lanyard around my neck.
I made a beeline for the welcome reception in the atrium lobby, weaving in and out of the conference attendees, on a mission to put someone in his place.
Most men were intimidated by a strong, confident woman.
That was their problem, not mine.
And it was definitely going to be Stewart Peters’ problem in a couple of minutes.
I spotted Teddy Markston near the bar with a vodka tonic in his hand, as usual. Stewart was right next to him, a cocky grin on his face like he had just found out his penis was two inches long instead of one.
Teddy’s eyes lit up when he spotted me. “Ruth.” He stepped past Stewart to shake my hand enthusiastically. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
“I hadn’t planned on it, but I wanted to chat with you, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. I wanted to talk with you as well. I was going to call, but it’s always better to talk about these things in person.” He gestured to Stewart. “You two know each other, if I recall correctly.”
We both nodded, but then Stewart gave me the stink eye when Teddy wasn’t looking.
I glared right back, then included a few poisonous darts and a kick to the nuts.
“Please excuse us for a moment, Stewart.” Teddy gestured to an open spot away from the attendees.
I stepped in that direction and stopped near the wall. “What’s going on?”
“Well, you know how fast things can change in our industry.” Teddy nervously glanced over at Stewart and then back to me, which wasn’t a good sign. “I appreciate all the time, hard work, and research you put into your offer, but unfortunately we have to go in a different direction.”
I glanced over at Stewart’s grin that seemed to be wider, then got my eyes back on Teddy. “What changed? I thought we had a deal and were just waiting to take care of the paperwork.”
“Well, since the papers were never signed . . .” He cleared his throat. “Look, I’m not at liberty to get into the specifics of everything. I’m sure you understand that plans change. I’m sorry. Nothing personal. You know that I like your style. You’ve always been a straight-shooter with me and that means more than any business transaction, but sometimes it does come down to hard numbers, facts, and dollars.”
I nodded. “And Stewart? He’s been a straight-shooter?”
“Very much so. He opened my eyes to a few things that we overlooked, money we left on the table. Quite frankly, I was surprised that he knew so much about our company, but it was refreshing that he did his homework.”
He didn’t do any homework. He did your daughter.
I was tempted to mention to Teddy what the douchebag was up to, but I didn’t think it was my place to do so. Plus, I didn’t want to break the man's heart since he and his daughter were very close. I was sure I could solve this problem without him finding out about his daughter’s indiscretions.
“Did you already sign a contract?” I held my breath as I waited for his answer.
He shook his head. “I’m going to review the offer tomorrow and—”
“Mr. Markston!” a man called out.
Teddy gestured to the man approaching us. “Sorry, but I need to talk with Pete Jackson. Don’t leave without saying goodbye.”
“I won’t.” I forced a smile and turned, walking toward Stewart Peters, ready to stick it to him.
He downed the rest of his beer, placed the empty bottle on the bar, and motioned to the bartender for another.
He turned to me, grinning. “No hard feelings?”
I shrugged. “You tell me. You’re the one who’s going to come out on the losing end when all is said and done.”
He laughed. “Right . . . That is not going to happen.”
“Just watch.”
He took a step closer and stuck his chest out, like it was supposed to impress me. “You lost this round. Just accept it. Now why don’t you just run along like a good little girl?”
Here we go.
I took a step toward him. “You’re messing around with the wrong person.”
He eyed my admittedly impressive cleavage, bit his lower lip, and ran his finger along my arm. “Messing around with you isn’t a bad option at all. How much do you want this deal? Maybe we can work something out.” He winked.
His words were like a verbal tongue depressor.
I held off the gag reflex, grabbed his finger, twisted it, and clenched my teeth. “Touch me again and I will kick your balls so hard you’ll have to have them surgically removed from your stomach.”
He winced and yanked his finger from my grip, shaking it. “No need to go all psycho on me. Is it that time of the month?”
Another one who went there.
“It’s not PMS, it’s you. Now, here’s the deal, so listen up. You are going to tell Markston you’re rescinding the offer.”
He laughed. “That’s not going to happen. It’s already a done deal and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Really? Because he just told me he hasn’t even looked at the paperwork yet. And there is plenty I can do about it.”
The bartender placed another beer in front of Stewart.
“Yeah? Like what?” He took a swig of his beer.
I shrugged. “I guess you’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, why don’t you tell me how his daughter is doing? I hear you two are very chummy. Wait, that’s odd, aren’t you married?” I arched an eyebrow and stared at the wedding ring on his finger, waiting for my information to sink into his pea-sized brain.
Stewart glanced down at his wedding ring and then took a step back, like he had just let out some gas and didn’t want me to smell it.
I gave him my best pouty face. “You don’t look well. Can I get you some water? Or if you’re hungry, how about a serving of crow?”
“You’re playing with fire.”
I smirked. “I’ve got a big hose and I’m sorry that’s not something you can relate to. Rescind the offer now or your life will implode before your eyes. Everyone will know who you really are. Markston. Your boss. Your wife. You have five minutes.”
His nostrils flared. “You little—”
I held up my hand. “I changed my mind. You have three minutes. I think you’d better get moving.” I winked. “Run along . . . like a good little boy.”
He tapped his shoe on the floor several times, thinking. Then he slammed the rest of his beer, set the bottle on the bar, and muttered a few swear words before turning and walking toward Markston.
On the flight back to San Diego, I relaxed in my seat in business class, feeling productive and content that everything in my world was back in order again. Teddy Markston had told me that our deal was back on, fewer than ten minutes after I gave Stewart the ultimatum. He even shook my hand and said he wouldn’t change his mind again and would send the signed contract tomorrow after his lawyers went over it. I didn’t bother asking what happened to the offer he had received from Stewart even though I was curious of the excuse he used to rescind it.