Page 12 of Perfect Fit
It’s impossible not to hear the earnestness in his voice, impossible not to see the twist in his face. As frustrated and blindsided as I am—this, I can revel in.
“What do you say?” Will asks.
My lips part in a desperate attempt to form a coherent response. “We were going to sign contracts with Carlisle today.”
“Don’t,” Will says, his voice low. “Trust me, Josie.Don’t.”
He sounds like he’s speaking from experience. I want to ask morequestions about that, but there’s no time. I can already feel the stares of everyone in the boardroom on my back, their curiosity growing.
“You don’t have to answer me right this instant,” he says. “But Josie, I think this could work. You and me.”
He first thought it was not a good idea. And now he thinks it could work?
My mind is swirling, and my abs have reclenched. Nothing about today is making sense.
From a business perspective, it’s a no-brainer. Ellis is the superior firm. At an affordable rate, it’s the clear winner. But what exactly did I say this morning that changed his mind about working with me? And why didn’t he admit the truth then?
“I’m so frustrated right now,” I mutter.
For whatever reason, this relaxes him. “Yeah. You have every right to be.”
“I’m not doing this to ease your conscience,” I say. “I’m doing it because it’s a smart business decision.”
He nods gently. “I know.”
“You’d better not be bluffing about how hard you’re willing to work.”
Will shakes his head. “Not bluffing.”
I shoot him one last glare. “Follow me.”
Will’s blue-gray eyes dance with victory.
I pull open the door and summon all the authority I possess. “We’ve got one more,” I say, addressing no one in particular. “Can someone pull up an extra chair?”
Spite is what gets me through that presentation. The urge to prove to Will I’m competent, I’m easy to work with, I’mgoodat this. I speak mostly just to him, keeping his eyes, holding his gaze. The desire to make him regret turning me down in the first place isthe pulse racing beneath my skin. It’s the breeze in my hair on the weekend. My frustration transforms into an even voice, a series of smart words I don’t trip over. Will, for his part, looks thoughtful. Like he might genuinely be entertaining the B Corp idea, and that’s also infuriating, for no reason.
He asks a question about my sustainability ideas; I offer a calm, collected answer. Carlisle Kyle’s head whips back at the sound of Will’s voice, and his expression changes from bored to sharp. Kyle doesn’t look away from Will until the rest of the room is dismissed.
“What the fuck ishedoing here?” Kyle asks.
“You’ll watch your language,” Derrick warns.
It’s just us now. The consultants, me, Derrick. I’m tempted to take one of the vacated seats (these heels are a bitch), but I’m the CEO. I stay standing so everybody remembers it.
“Josie.” Derrick threads his fingers and sets them on the table in front of him. Slowly, his head turns in my direction. “Explain?”
I gulp, second-guessing myself now. If I follow through with this, it’ll be the most madcap scheme I’ve agreed to in years. My most spontaneous decision since… sincethatone. The big, bad, friendship-ruining decision I made when I was seventeen. And funny enough, Will Grant was involved then, too.
Apparently, he brings out my impulsivity.
But when I look across the table at him, a levelheaded patience shines back at me, the emotion stretching across every foot separating us. I canfeelWill’s intent.
It feels honest.
Hopeful.
When I look at Kyle and the others, I can’t feel anything.
