Page 152 of His Flash Mate
I nodded and left him to browse the canapés and other hors d’oeuvres set out.The caviar didn’t call to me, but the bacon-wrapped date looked interesting.I tried it and hummed my appreciation.
“Aren’t you here to assist Mr.Steele?”a familiar voice asked beside me.
I looked at Lianna as I reached for a toasted square of bread with melted cheese and jam.
“You’re very worried about my place next to him, Lianna.Is it jealousy or something else?”
“It’s Ms.Stonestock,” she said coldly.
“If you can’t bother to respect professional boundaries, why should I?”I popped the appetizer into my mouth and hummed again.“He’s going to like the jam.”
“Fine.You want to drop the politeness, then I’ll oblige.You’re nothing, just like your social climbing father, and once Drake sees your true colors, you’ll be back where you belong, in the gutters, looking for your next sugar daddy.”
I grinned.“Is this because my marketing plan was better than anything your team could come up with?I bet that really stung, didn’t it?”
A flush started at the base of her neck and crept up.Before I could feel triumphant, though, I saw a familiar, non-human light enter her gaze.
If she lunged for my throat like she clearly wanted to, would Konni hear my scream and reach me in time?More importantly, did I really want to find out?
She turned suddenly and strode away.
Exhaling in relief, I tried another canapé.
“Ms.Elmantas,” Mr.Pennly said as he approached.“It’s good to see you again.Are you here with Mr.Steele?”
“I am,” I said.
“Excellent.While he’s speaking to your father, I’d like to discuss the Riverfront project with you.”
“Of course.I sent the 3D models you requested to your office an hour ago.”
He smiled.“I saw them and the new market analysis estimate and decided to move forward with your proposal.But I need a little help conveying that vision to a new investor who can help fund those higher-level finishes.”
“If we cut the number of rooms, we can do the suggested finishes within your current budget,” I said, not sure why he needed another investor.
“Actually, I would like to keep the room count the same as what we initially agreed to.You’re right about adding more, though.It would feel too crowded.I would be in your debt if you spoke with the new investor with me.He’s just over here.”
He indicated the back of the room near the partition painted to show the riverfront before it was developed.A younger man in a tailored suit was talking and laughing with a woman in a deep red formal gown.
Convincing an investor wasn’t inside the scope of my job.However, if I managed it, it would be a feather in my hat and a debt I could call on later if needed.
“I’m willing to answer any questions he might have about the project,” I said.
We had to pause our progress across the room a few times so Mr.Pennly could say hello to people, but we finally reached the couple.
“This must be the lovely, Ms.Elmantas,” the man said.
“It is.Ms.Elmantas, this is Edward Glibs.He’s interested in investing in the Riverfront project after seeing the latest rendering.”
“Excuse us,” Edward said to his companion.
She nodded and drifted away.
“Since the project isn’t yet finalized, it would be better to discuss the details in the privacy of the sitting room,” Edward said.“Plus, I would rather not make my contribution public.”
“Of course,” Pennly said quickly.
Edward turned and walked around the screen.Pennly indicated I should follow.
