Devil in a Suit

“So, how do I break into a conversation with these people? They’re all talking to people already,” I asked him once I finished my drink. It was awkward forcing myself into a conversation already happening, especially if I didn’t know the people.

“You have to know the right time to insert yourself. If you have something to add to the conversation, say it and then introduce yourself,” Tyler told me as we walked around the ballroom together.

“Easier said than done,” I muttered beneath my breath. Some of these people were talking about things that I didn’t have a clue about. What the hell did I know about cryptocurrency?

Tyler suddenly spun me around to face him. “Act like you’re one of them,” he said. “You’re playing a part tonight because you’re not one of them. One day, you could be, though.”

It was actually good advice. I glanced around at all the people around me, taking in their mannerisms and their expressions. I could act like them, pretend to be my future self, but I had to be convincing.

“I will be,” I corrected him.

Tyler cracked a smile and nodded. “There you go. There’s that cockiness we all have,” he said.

I found myself smiling back, warmth filling my cheeks as our gazes collided. I didn’t want to look away. This was a good moment. However, I had connections to make, and I wasn’t going to spend the whole night ogling at him.

“Alright, I think I’m ready.”

Tyler held his arm out to me again. “Show them what you got,” he said.

I was going to show him too. I let him lead me closer to groups of executives, listening in on their conversations to see if I could jump in. Thankfully, I found a group talking about apps, which I was pretty knowledgeable about. I mentioned making an app that was connected to my business idea, and I managed to get the email of a skilled app developer.

Each conversation I had felt like a test, especially with Tyler by my side. I knew he was watching and listening, taking note of my words and reactions. I couldn’t tell if I was doing well or not, but the people that I spoke to were nice for the most part. I took Tyler’s advice and acted like one of them, being cockier than usual and flexing my intelligence.

I couldn’t count how many people I talked to as we moved from group to group. I was about to tell Tyler that I needed another drink to refuel my confidence, but I heard him curse under his breath.

I gave him a confused look. “What’s wrong?” I asked him, seeing his eyes narrow. He looked pissed off. I couldn’t help but wonder if I had done something wrong.

Tyler nodded ahead of him. “My main competitor is heading this way,” he muttered beneath his breath.

I turned forward to see a tall man heading our way. His dark curls were shaved down short, his eyes were dark and narrowed, and he had a smirk on his face that screamed arrogance. He wore a dark blue suit that complemented his dark skin tone. If I was honest, he was pretty handsome too, but he was evidently the enemy.

“Tyler Ashland. I figured I would see you here,” the man said.

“Well, I’m not going to be hiding out somewhere,” Tyler replied with sharpness in his tone. He didn’t even bother to shake the man’s hand.

I sensed a lot of tension between the two. I didn’t even know who this guy was, but I could tell that he was a threat to Tyler’s company.

“With your progress lately, maybe you need to,” the man smirked before looking at me. He tilted his head at me, seeming intrigued. “And we have another pretty girl on your arm. Flavor of the night?”

I narrowed my eyes slightly, knowing that the man was just being an asshole to get under Tyler’s skin. He wasn’t about to drag me through the dirt just to flaunt himself, and I was going to stay loyal to the company that gave me a chance and took me under its wing.

“Good taste is eternal,” I replied as I ran my hand up Tyler’s arm, flashing him a sweet smile to accentuate my point.

The man threw his head back to let out a deep laugh. “I see. Definitely some flavor with this one. I’m Brandon Krouse, CEO of Odyssey Business Consults,” he introduced himself to me. “I’m sure you’ve heard of me.”

“No, sorry,” I said, feigning a sheepish look. His company name sounded familiar, but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of being known by me. I didn’t want to give him any satisfaction at all. He would find a way to hold that over Tyler’s head.

Tyler put his arm around my waist, drawing me closer to my side. His touch sent a shiver up my spine, but I suppressed it and put a confident smile on my face instead.