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“I have other plans,” she said lightly “Besides, I really have nothing to do with this part You and Noah need to discuss the possibilities I’d just be in the way”
Noah shrugged then looked at Evan “You like barbeque?”
“Love it”
“Good I know this great place just a few blocks frorab dinner and talk”
“I drove hiive him a ride back to his place That okay?” Celia asked
She turned to Evan “I’ll see you to Nine o’clock at the Maddox”
“I can have lared at Celia as he said it The woht was finally an effort to see hi had, in fact, just been a business ht now he had a sports superstar to woo, and he’d be damned if he let his irritation with Celia interfere
Sixteen
Celia paced the Maddox conference rooone over every little detail of her presentation The televisions out front had mock-ups created by the media folks An endless stream of Reese Enterprise promotion ran on the video monitors and the art department had framed several print-ad options and displayed them in the conference room
With fifteen o time, the other h but so was exciteest client for Maddox thus far, but he’d acted distracted and distant Celia wondered if he was indeed having issues with the ruirlfriend
The others had all been quick to add their congratulations No contract had been signed, but they all see, Reese Enterprises would be in the bag She hoped they were right
Noah had called last night after an extended dinner with Evan Apparently after barbeque the two had gone for beers and spent the evening like old college buddies
Evan had extended an extremely cushy offer, one that had surprised even a very jaded Noah The terelater with their respective lawyers to iron out the details, but Noah said he’d agreed
“Okay, we’ve got five et ready to knock his socks off”
They took their seats along the conference table Brock s a seat next to Elle Jason took the seat next to Ash, who frowned and reached into his pocket for his phone
“Excuse me for a minute,” he said as he rose from his seat He crossed the room out of earshot to take a phone call
The intercom buzzed and Shelby announced that Evan had arrived “Shall I show him back?” she asked
Celia took a deep breath, looked at her coworkers lining the conference table all ready to do their part, and said, “Show him back, Shelby”
As Celia ended the conversation, Ash returned to the table
“Sorry, but I have to go,” he announced “And I’m not sure when I’ll be back Hopefully no more than a
few days I’ll let you knohen I have more details”
He turned and strode out of the roo Celia and the others to stare after him in astonishment
Celia glanced over at Brock and raised an eyebrow Brock shrugged and gestured for her to continue on Whatever was up with Ash would have to wait Thiswas too important to all of them
Seconds after Ash’s abrupt departure, Evan entered behind Shelby Celia crossed the roo it as she’d intended, he slid his fingers over her pal She snatched it away and turned to introduce him down the row
Her presentation went off without a hitch Each part of her teah it all, Brock sat back with a very satisfied expression on his face
By the time she was done, she was as convinced as everyone else that Evan would sign with Maddox
He’d be a fool not to
The lights went back up after her last video clip
“This concludes our presentation,” she said to Evan “I hope we’ve convinced you of our commitment to you and your company”
He took his ti For a moment he studied her, his hands in a V in front of him Then he simply nodded
“I’m very impressed My question is, how soon can we move on this?”
Rosa was packed with the after-work crowd, but the entire back rooest coup to date—Reese Enterprises
Celia was high on her achievement, but she couldn’t shake the anxiety over her relationship with Evan
She’d avoided hiht when she’d all but dumped him on Noah She’d avoided him after her presentation when he’d wanted to take her to lunch to celebrate
Brock passed out chane to every one then called for a toast He saluted Celia with his glass and the room erupted into cheers
She smiled her pleasure, but all she could think was that she’d rather be with Evan And that was a very big problem
“For a girl who’s the toast of Madcom, you don’t look very happy”
Celia turned to see Elle standing beside her, drink in hand She tried to sh “Am I that obvious?”
Elle shrugged “Probably not I doubt others are paying too much attention to you You looked…distracted”
“I’m in a mess, Elle,” Celia admitted “I don’t knohat to do”
Elle wrapped a co arm around her “Surely it can’t be that bad?”
“I’m involved with Evan Reese Intimately”
Elle stiffened “Oh Maybe you’re right”
Celia couldn’t help but notice the way Elle’s gaze drifted to Brock, who stood across the rooaze, and what Celia saw there made her pause
Possession
“I didn’t intend for it to happen,” Celia said “I know better Me of all people should know better I’ve kept it secret, and it’s driving ether and whether they’ll draw the wrong conclusion I’ around The worst part is I’m in love with him”
Elle made a sound of sympathy and pulled Celia away from the others until they stood in a dark corner
“You need to be honest and open about this, Celia If you don’t, it’ll tear you apart,” Elle said earnestly
Elle was so sincere and her words were so heartfelt that Celia wondered if she was speaking fro a secret fling with Brock? If the looks between the tere any clue, there was some serious chemistry there
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but she didn’t want to hurt Elle, especially if she didn’t want anyone to know