Playing With Power - Book 2: New Adult Office Romance Read online

  “Sleep well. You’ll need to be rested if you have any chance of beating me in volleyball tomorrow,” said Landon referring to a previous conversation.

  “You’re on!”

  They both watched Ali disappear into the house and Lauren was suddenly very conscious she was alone with him.

  Without missing a beat he jumped right back into the conversation. “You know the inner workings of the company. What would you do differently?”

  “I don’t think I should...”

  “Humor me. Lauren Kemp is named CEO of StyleSpur tomorrow. What would you change? What would you do about your competitors? Name a direct competitor.”

  “Luxe Redux.”

  “What would do to stay ahead of them?”

  “Infiltrate, obviously,” Lauren laughed hoping to release some tension. “Hire someone and plant them on the inside so we could know everything they’re planning.”

  “Corporate espionage...I should watch myself around you,” he joked. He smiled yet his eyes remained serious, focused. “Really, what would you change?”

  “Landon, really, I was out of line earlier. I shouldn’t have said those things.” She twirled the wine around in her glass, avoiding his eyes.

  “Okay, just so we can get past this, I’m officially stating that I’m not interested in investing with StyleSpur. Nothing you said affected my decision, it’s simply not the right opportunity for me at the moment. There. Happy?”

  “Well, happy isn’t the right word,” she laughed nervously. “Satisfied, I guess.”

  “Pretty, smart, and easy to satisfy,” he replied with a smirk. Before her jaw even had a chance to drop he said, “I’m sorry, now I’m the one speaking out of turn. Please, here’s your chance to get it out. Might even be therapeutic.”

  Lauren would look back at this moment for the rest of her life. It was one of the few times where it was obvious life could’ve gone down two different paths. She never regretted her choice but sometimes wondered, usually late at night after a difficult day, what the other path would have looked like. Something Landon said earlier in the day on the phone bubbled to the surface of her mind. I’m giving you the opportunity. It’s your decision. With a lump in her throat and plenty of liquid courage, she took a deep breath and told Landon about the idea she’d pitched to Parker.

  “One of the biggest problems StyleSpur has faced from the start was inconsistency in sizing between retailers. Not only do women come in all different shapes, there isn’t one standardized rule for sizing, sometimes not even in the same company. Add to this the growing trend of vanity sizing and the company has always struggled to manage this headache.

  “Now, believe it or not, I’m utterly clueless when it comes to fashion. I grew up in a rural area and wore jeans and sweatshirts most of my life. I faced a steep learning curve when I moved to the city and started working in a fashion-forward company. I knew nothing about body types, accessories, colors, fit, cut. Even now, I feel like I’m still a bit of a novice, but it’s something that’s always stuck with me. It’s a barrier to entry for a lot of women and that’s not good for business. Sure, we make it easier for them to buy clothes but they might not even know what clothes to buy.

  “So I started thinking. By triangulating three normal web cameras and a little user inputted data, I could conceivably tailor clothes perfectly to their body. Not only that, I could make suggestions on what colors work well with their skin type or what accessories work with a certain neckline. Levi’s has already proved that customers are willing to pay a little extra for custom tailored clothes. I think it’s a natural progression in the industry, especially as 3-D printing and manufacturing changes.”

  He regarded her for a long moment and his expression disclosed nothing. Lauren couldn’t handle his penetrating gaze and looked down to the empty glass in her hand. It wasn’t an emotion she’d anticipated, but she felt utterly exposed. To have her concept laid out bare, to actually stand up and declare what she’d do differently to someone outside her circle of friends, it was surprisingly terrifying. Why do I get the sense I’ve completely screwed things up here? she thought.

  “Do you have a working prototype of this?”

  “Not yet. I’ve worked on it in my spare time but I’m not close to finishing.”

  “But you know it can work?”

  “Yeah, absolutely,” she said. “There’s nothing that should prove too difficult. They already do similar modelling in video games.”

  Landon seemed to retreat into himself slightly, his mind working. After a moment he smiled and nodded, as if coming to some conclusion.

  “Listen, I appreciate you going through everything with me. It’s getting late and unfortunately, I’m expecting a phone call from Japan.”

  Lauren got to her feat clumsily, the wine and sudden shift in tone leaving her a little wobbly. He followed her into the kitchen where he politely bid her a good night, and disappeared down the dark hallway to the right. Her mind spinning, Lauren retired to her room. She shut and leaned against her bedroom door but moments later Ali shoved it open, nearly pitching Lauren to the floor.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Ali whispered, closing the door.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I heard you come back but I didn’t expect you for at least a while. What happened?”

  “Nothing, the conversation ended,” Lauren said with a shrug. In truth, she didn’t know what had just happened. One minute they were getting along fine, the next minute he almost couldn’t wait to get away from her.

  “Did you kiss? I thought you’d be up all night k-i-s-s-i-n-g,” she said in a sing-songy voice. “I even planted the idea in his mind all tricky like.” Ali sat cross legged on the bed, tightening the belt on her black bathrobe.

  “He had to take a call.” Lauren slumped on the bed beside Ali, her head feeling fuzzy. “He also said he didn’t want to invest in StyleSpur, which I’m sure Parker’s gonna love.”

  “Ah, well that’s alright. Just means we’ll have an awesome weekend without all that business bullshit getting in the way.”

  “Then I told him about my idea, you know the one Parker tried to extort sex for? He just, I don’t know...he just shut down. I don’t know if I just royally screwed up or if I’m reading too much into it. What if he tells Parker? Obviously he has no problem going behind my back and messing around with my life,” she gestured around the room.

  “I’m sure it’s fine, don’t worry! He seems like a really nice guy. I bet he was just interested in what you had to say.”

  “He is a nice guy and you need to quit flirting with him.” Her eyes felt dry and scratchy. Finally relaxing in the comfort of her room, she realized how nervous and wound up she’d been all night.

  “It’d be weird if I didn’t flirt with him. ‘Anything with a pulse’ is my motto. Hell, I’m flirting with you right now, you’re just completely oblivious.” Ali raked a fingernail down her arm.

  “I suppose now the funding deal is off the table you’re free to do whatever you want. It’s not like I have a chance with a guy like that. Anyway, I don’t think I’m ready to start anything after all that shit with Nick.”

  “Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes it isn’t clear why but you have to trust in the universe. Things like this don’t just happen randomly. If you and Nick hadn’t split you probably wouldn’t have come out here.”

  “If Parker hadn’t been a drunk asshole and broke his leg I wouldn’t be out here. You know I don’t believe in that stuff.” Lauren lay her arm over her eyes, blocking the bright lights.

  “Okay Miss Grumplebutt, I’m going to leave you to wallow. Get some good sleep tonight. I think we’re in for a good time tomorrow.” Ali dropped to her elbow and gave Lauren a kiss on the forehead. She gracefully slipped out of the room and closed the door.

  Unfortunately, it was a restless night for Lauren. She tossed and turned, waking several times from a bad dream. In it, Parker had discovered her betrayal. He dra
gged her onto a stage in the center of Times Square and publicly shamed her in front of thousands of people. The crowd hurled insults at her and unable to escape, she had no choice but to take the abuse. Each time she woke covered in sweat, panicked, with an ever-churning stomach.

  7.

  Despite the poor sleep, Lauren woke feeling refreshed. The sun rising on the opposite side of the house, the morning light in her room was muted. She lay in bed for a while, gazing outside, watching the breeze play through leaves on a tree she couldn’t name. The view was rejuvenating in itself but she suspected Ali’s estimate about the value of the bed wasn’t far off.

  The girls found Landon in the kitchen drinking coffee, his tablet balanced on the glass sugar jar. Lauren had braced herself for the worst. She’d spent so much of the night over-analyzing his reaction she half expected him to ignore her or, worse yet, ask them to leave. She couldn’t have been more wrong. If anything, Landon seemed overly gracious and welcoming, perhaps sprung from the intimacy of the sleepy morning hour. During an equally delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and fresh salmon, Ali had him close to tears with one of her tales from the theater. Lauren watched him out of the corner of her eye, still trying to judge if his sincerity was genuine or simply a well-polished facade.

  After pouring the last of the coffee from the French press, he suggested the girls take the convertible into town.

  “No, we couldn’t possibly,” Lauren had resisted but Landon wouldn’t hear of it.

  “Last night you mentioned you hadn’t packed clothes for warmer weather. It’s my fault you’re here in the first place, so it’s the least I can do. Plus, they have a little festival in the town center every Fourth of July. I’ll be here making sure all the arrangements for the party are under control. You should go, have fun!”

  Lauren finally acquiesced while Ali was out of the room. Knowing that Ali’s impulsive nature combined with the allure of a V8 engine was a recipe for disaster, she made sure to grab the keys first.

  The morning light again altered the landscape, the colors vibrant and refreshed. Pockets of fog lingered in places where the sun had yet to touch and the damp air was almost too cool for the open top. The quaint town heaved with people. The streets and shops were adorned with strings of patriotic bunting, flags flapping from every parking meter. They spent a few hours wandering through the tents and booths that filled the tree-shaded square, coming away with several heavy bags each.

  It was mid-afternoon when they made the winding trip back up the hill, the sat-nav directing their every turn.

  “I have no idea what to expect from this party,” Lauren said as she negotiated a particularly sharp turn.

  “Me either. It’s probably gonna be a bunch of rich people standing around talking about rich people stuff. I never know what to say to people like that. They’re like,‘I don’t think Andrew’s restaurant deserved that second Michelin Star. His foie gras isn’t even organic.’ I’m there like, ‘Sometimes I eat peanut butter out of the jar for dinner. Occasionally, I use a spoon.’”

  Lauren laughed. “It’s true. They’ll probably walk away patting themselves on the back for how well they conversed with the common folk.”

  “Whatever. If we’ve got each other and a fully stocked bar, we’re fine. We’ve had more fun with less. Hey, wait!” she jumped in her seat.

  “Oh no, what?”

  “We have a convertible, we’re close to Mexico...let’s Thelma and Louise this shit! We’re even in California so we can go grab Brad Pitt!”

  “Do we have to kill anyone?”

  “No, of course not. But we can pretend the cops are after us. We’ll stay in seedy motels off the beaten path, pay in cash, it’ll be awesome.”

  “I’m Thelma,” Lauren declared.

  “Come on, if anyone is gonna be Thelma, it’s me. The roll calls for a tall bitch with a strong jaw and hello...”

  “You just want to be Thelma because she sleeps with Brad Pitt,” Lauren laughed. She slowed the car and pulled into the drive. The gate slowly opened. “Oh no, looks like we can’t run away now. We’re already here.”

  Ali grabbed her hand on the steering wheel. “Let’s not get caught. Let’s keep going.”

  “There is something seriously unhinged in your brain, you know that right?” Lauren laughed.

  The smell of barbecue wafted up the drive way, a tendril of smoke floating from the patio. The once empty drive was now filled with over a dozen cars. BMW, Audi, Mercedes, all new models and freshly polished, gleaming in the sun. Ali rolled her eyes and was about to say something when a couple kids in swimsuits appeared. They were running between the cars, chasing each other with bright water guns and heavy balloons. A little girl, no more than three or four, followed screaming, “Wait up! Mom said you have to play with me. Stop going so fast!”

  “Umm, okay. I know I said I didn’t know what to expect but I definitely wasn’t expecting kids,” said Lauren. They looked at each other, shrugged, and made their way inside.

  Lauren changed into a new white string bikini, throwing on a pair of denim shorts and a white tank top. The windows of her room faced away from the patio but she could hear laughter and kids squealing in fun. The scene she and Ali stepped into was more family barbecue than the casual-but-formal get together they’d expected. The pool was filled with children playing, foam noodles and beach balls whizzing about while small groups of adults mingled around on the deck. A couple tweens sat to the side looking sullen, noses glued to their phones. Landon spotted them immediately, his broad smile still making her a little weak in the knees.

  “There you are!” he said greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. The smell of his cologne mingled with the scent of sunblock.

  “I’m sorry we’re late,” she said as he welcomed Ali.

  “Not at all. I wasn’t expecting you back at any certain time. Did you have fun?”

  “Spent way too much money and, I wasn’t going to tell you this,” Ali said behind her hand, “Lauren here wanted to steal your car and run to Mexico.”

  “Ali! I think you’re misremembering that a little.” She turned to Landon and rolled her eyes. “Sorry. Actresses. You know how it is.”

  “All too well,” he replied cryptically. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”

  As she expected, Landon was the expert host. He’d ordered an amazing spread of American picnic classics from the caterer. A long table was set up with bowls of chilled potato salad, deviled eggs, chips, and veggie platters. He’d hired a chef to tend the grill, cooking burgers and hot dogs to order. The fridge and bar were stocked with every beverage one could ask for which freed him up to spend time with his guests.

  He guided them around the side of the house toward the garage. Lauren wondered why they were heading away from the party but her confusion disappeared when he introduced Ali to Dane. One of the only single men at the party, Dane was quite tall with a shaved head and seemed immediately smitten with her. They quickly hit it off, Ali soon laughing and hanging off his arm. Not wanting her to leave, Dane invited her to join him in a game of ping pong, which tweaked Ali’s competitive side.

  “You’re on, buddy,” she said grabbing a paddle.

  Landon leaned close to Lauren’s ear and whispered, “I think we should probably leave them to it. I get the feeling this could get bloody.” Just as the first time they’d met, he placed his hand on her back and guided her to a shaded corner of the patio. The same electric current coursed through her at his touch, setting every nerve ending alight. She could feel the heat of his hand through her thin shirt and nearly shivered. “I want you to meet someone,” he whispered before speaking up loudly. “Lauren, this is Paul. Don’t let his looks fool you. He might look like he’s just some middle-aged retiree but Paul here owns a small and incredibly successful winery.”

  “Hey now! I’m inclined to think I look a little better than some middle-aged retiree. Although, I do admit to living a lazy life of excess,” Paul said patting his small pot belly.
He was tanned with graying hair and a warm smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said extending his hand.

  “Lauren grew up in Upstate New York as well.”

  “Ah, no kidding! I should’ve known. Only women this pretty come from New York. Whereabouts darling? Here, sit sit.”

  Lauren instantly felt at ease with him. “I’m actually from Lake George but I live in New York City now.”

  “I won’t hold it against you. My whole family is from Seneca Falls. It’s actually where I got started in the wine business.”

  “Oh! I love it out there,” Lauren said, relaxing into her seat. “My brother wants to go to Cornell when he graduates. I seem to remember Cayuga has great wine trails, doesn’t it? I was too young to go the last time I was there.”

  “I don’t mean to interrupt but I just noticed you both don’t have drinks. Can I get you something? Or I could hold your seat while you go fetch them, Paulie boy,” Landon said slapping Paul’s foot playfully.

  “Another one of these,” Paul replied shaking an empty bottle of beer. “And a snack for calling me middle-aged.”

  Landon turned to Lauren. “I’m good with anything.”

  “Got it. I’ll surprise you,” he said. God, you already have. A few moments he returned with the drinks, a strong Long Island Iced Tea for Lauren. He delivered them and seamlessly backed out of the conversation, joining a small group of rowdy women across the pool.

  Paul reminded Lauren of her father’s friends. He was down to earth, easy to talk to, and his relentless flirtations were harmless. Divorced with two kids, both of whom were playing in the pool in front of them, he’d led an interesting life. They talked about his business, her work, growing up in the country, and the differences between East Coasters and West Coasters. After briefly arguing over whether the Bills or the Giants were the true New Yorker’s team, they agreed to disagree.