Page 45 of Fake it For Good
“He’s technically my competition.”
“Is he?” I asked. “I mean, be honest, is he?”
He grinned. “Good point.”
We causally walked away. “I’ve been fielding questions all night about your new toy line.”
“Mine?” he asked.
“Yes, yours,” I said. “I guess you’re launching a new line of tea sets?”
“Yes, but not until this spring,” he said. “How did they know?”
“I’m beginning to think this world you live in is very small,” I told him. “Seems like they know all your dirty little secrets.”
“Theythinkthey know my secrets,” he corrected.
“Mr. Carver, did you see the new doll line?” someone asked.
By the pen in her hand, I gathered it was a reporter of some kind. I looked to Cane to see how he was going to respond. I knew he didn’t like the damn things. I doubted anyone did. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
“I am looking forward to the competition,” Cane said smoothly. “I think there are going to be some very happy kids out there when these dolls hit the market. His price point is perfect. The materials are all natural, which will appeal to a lot of parents trying to choose their child’s toys while thinking about what the kids put in their mouths.”
I was so proud of him. That was the perfect answer. The rest of the evening went the same way. After about two hours, I was fried. Schmoozing didn’t come naturally to me. Not to mention, I was starving. The appetizers they were serving weren’t exactly my thing. I didn’t know what half the stuff was and wasn’t going to risk an upset stomach.
“Want to get out of here?” he asked.
“I’m okay,” I said. “I’m here for the long haul. Whatever you need.”
“I need to go get some real fucking dinner,” he said. “A steak. A potato with everything.”
I laughed and pushed at his chest. “Stop.”
“You know you’re hungry,” he said.
I wrinkled my nose. “I am.”
“Let’s go,” he said. “We’ve made our appearance. Let’s go get a real meal.”
I was very happy to get something real to eat. We found a steakhouse, which wasn’t all that hard to do in Texas. I sipped the cold beer, happy to have something a little more my speed.
“Thank you for this,” I said. “I hope I didn’t poo-poo on your parade.”
“My parade?” he questioned.
“The party,” I said. “Did I do okay? Tell me what I need to change, and I’ll do it. Whatever you need.”
“You were perfect,” he said. “Absolutely perfect. I think you stole the show.”
I felt myself blush a little. “Thank you.”
“Tonight was a trial run,” he said. “I don’t think I have anything to worry about. You handle these people like you’ve been doing this all your life.”
“Not even close,” I said.
“The Macy’s Day event will be bigger,” he said. “It’ll be my toys. It’s my chance to showcase some of the new stuff.”
I nodded. “Okay, and I’m supposed to talk it up, right?”
