The Boss's Marriage Plan (Proposals & Promises 2)

“I’m sure she’s worked you and your company into the conversation a few times,” Tess’s friend murmured, echoing Scott’s thoughts from only moments earlier. “You have to admit she’s your most dedicated ally.”

“No argument here. I owe a great deal to her. She’s a big fan of yours, too. I’ve heard her directing several people to look at your kitchen this evening.”

Stevie nodded. “She’s the most loyal and supportive person I’ve ever known. Always the one in the background quietly doing all the work and getting too little of the credit.”

Okay, there was definitely a message here. He just wasn’t entirely sure what it was. Was Stevie implying that he hadn’t given Tess enough credit at work in the way of salary, title, promotions? Or was there a more personal implication to her comments? How much had Tess told her?

“Tess has certainly been instrumental in the success of my business,” he said to reassure Stevie that he was fully mindful of that fact. “I’ve told her many times, both publicly and privately, that I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“You’re lucky to have her. She has plenty of options, you know.”

He was well aware that Tess had been approached by other employers, some who’d met her through his business and coveted her organizational skills for their own enterprises. One of his own friends had recently offered her a position as human resources director for his trucking company, promising he’d add 20 percent to whatever Scott was paying her. Lane hadn’t even bothered to be subtle about trying to hire her away; he’d made his move in Scott’s own office. Scott had been gratified when Tess had made it clear she wasn’t looking for a new job, and he’d tried to be good-natured about it with Lane. But come to think about it, they hadn’t really spoken since, though Scott wasn’t carrying a grudge. Still, if the truth were told, he’d been annoyed. Maybe even territorial in a way that hadn’t been entirely business related. Had it been about that time that the seed of this marriage plan had been planted unknowingly in the back of his mind?

“Anyway,” Stevie said when he sipped his champagne to avoid having to figure out a way to respond to her, “I’m just saying I wouldn’t want Tess to be taken for granted. I would hate for her to be hurt. By anyone.”

He lowered his glass and met her eyes. “So would I.”

“Good.”

“Hey, you two. Sorry I got detained for so long, I got caught up in a conversation about the chances of my nephew’s basketball team making the state playoffs,” Tess explained as she rushed up to join them. “Stevie, the mayor’s wife wants to remodel her kitchen within the next few months. I told her she should be sure to talk with you before she leaves. Be ready to make a pitch,” she added with a smile.

“I’ll be ready. Thanks, Tess.”

Only moments later they were interrupted by someone who wanted to question Stevie about a function of a trendy new feature in the impressive chef’s kitchen.

Scott turned to Tess after Stevie had moved away. “What’s with your friend?” he asked quietly. “She seems unusually subdued this evening.”

On the few occasions when he’d met Stevie before, she’d always been laughing, animated, a bundle of barely suppressed energy in a compact package. Tonight she’d seemed more serious than he’d ever seen her, and he didn’t know if it was only due to her doubts about Tess and him.

He saw concern flit across Tess’s face as she glanced in the direction in which Stevie had just disappeared. “I think she’s going through some issues with her boyfriend,” she murmured. “But I don’t really know, so I’m only speculating.”

That seemed to be all she was willing to say about Stevie’s problems, so he changed the subject. “I think we’ve put in our time, don’t you? How about if we duck out now?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Do you want to say good-night to your friend?”

She shook her head. “Stevie’s busy. I’ll send her a text later. Let’s go before someone else corners us.”

Smiling at her eagerness to escape, he moved across the room with her, exchanging nods and quick handshakes on the way out. Tess shivered as she slid into

the passenger seat of his car. She grabbed her coat from the backseat and wrapped it snugly around her over the seat belt. “I think the temperature has dropped a few degrees since we went inside.”

He started the car. “Some people know better than to wear sleeveless dresses in December without a coat.”

She laughed. “I brought a coat.”

“And left it in the car.”

“I didn’t want to bother with having to check it and then wait to reclaim it. It was worth a few minutes of freezing to make a faster getaway.”

“That was a bore, wasn’t it? I was expecting live music or some sort of entertainment other than just walking through the rooms, then standing around with cheap wine and dry canapés.”

“I have a feeling there will be a new chairperson for the Holiday Open Home committee next year,” she agreed wryly. “It’s been so much better planned in the past.”

“Oh, well, as long as they met their fund-raising goals, I guess that’s all that matters.”

“True. And I’m sure Stevie will get some new business from it. Her kitchen was gorgeous, wasn’t it?”