Page 46 of Nothing to You
Zairn took the random comment in stride and turned just enough to look at the speaker.“Her name’s Roxanna,” he said, “and she knows.”His head twitched in a tilt as he approached the chair at the head of the table.“Though Knox Collier would disagree with you.”
Way to start them off on the wrong foot by insulting the man’s girlfriend.
And Collier.
The man really did know everyone.
“I watch her streams all the time,” Myles said, rushing over.“She’s just…”
“Beautiful?”Zairn asked, sitting down.“You said that already.You know I have met her.”
“Stop slobbering on the man’s girlfriend,” she said, marching down the room.
“Fiancée,” Myles said.“You’re engaged, right?”
“Some say,” Zairn said.“She has single friends we’re trying to offload.”
The moment she reached the screen and spun on the spot, Leon hit a button on his tablet and the glass walls went white.More Dyce glass.“Mr.Lomond, let us tell you about Huddle Hope.”
They talked for more than an hour.Each of them took their turn to say their piece and dazzle the billionaire with their presentation.
At least, that was the idea.
She was feeling good about it until Leon put the lights back on and she got a better look at Lomond’s impassive expression.
“We’re happy to answer any questions,” Johann said with an optimism she sure didn’t share.
“No,” Lomond said and stood up.
“No?”Franco asked.“What does that mean?”
“It means this isn’t in my wheelhouse,” Lomond said, retrieving his phone to type and swipe.
“You don’t want to give it a chance?”Johann asked.“What exactly are your objections?”
“I’m sure it’s a brilliant idea.It’s just not for me.”
“Wha…?Wha…?What?”
She understood the others’ surprise.Why had the guy let them go on and on for an hour if he was just going to slap them down?
“I do know someone who will be interested,” Lomond said.“A startup perfect for this.”
Hope!Yes, okay, that was something, wasn’t it?
“Who?”Johann asked.
“I can set up a meet, if you’re interested.”
“We’re interested,” Helena said.
“We are,” their doctor said, “but we don’t want to waste our time.”
Was he really so arrogant?What was with the attitude?There had always been a chance the pitch wouldn’t reap results.It was disheartening, annoying even, but that was the way the game went.Not every roll of the dice got you to the finish line.
When Rourke came in, there was an air of knowing around him.
“You knew this wasn’t for me,” Lomond said like he sensed it too.
