The Invitation

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Admit it. You don’t want me looking because you like her. You’re already territorial about this chick.”

“This chick? Is it nineteen eighty-five here in the studio? Do you refer to your employees like that?”

“Stop deflecting. You like this woman, and you know it.”

Jack might be vice president of a big company now, but parts of him were eternally stuck in sixth grade. I knew if I didn’t give him something, he’d never shut the hell up.

So I tried to pacify him. “She’s turned out to be a hard worker and a nice person, yes.”

“So you don’t think she’s hot?”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s attractive, yes.”

“But you don’t want to bang her?”

“Stella and I have a business relationship.”

“Oh…so it’s the business relationship that’s the problem? So if you weren’t in business with her, you’d be trying to bang her?”

“I’m done with this conversation.”

Jack shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “Okay. So you don’t mind if I bring Brent down to meet her, then?”

“Brent?”

“Fenway. You remember him from college, right? Tall, good-looking—probably the only one who gave you a run for your money back in the day. He works here now. Looks the same, except more jacked. Still single…”

My friend thought he was being cute, as if I wouldn’t give him a set of black eyes to match my fading ones. “Fuck off,” I said.

He grinned. “That’s what I thought.”

A little while later, Jack looked at his watch. “I have a meeting. You hanging around for the taping?”

“Yeah. Olivia couldn’t be here, so I told her I’d stick it out.”

“They’re probably going to be a few hours.”

I held up my phone. “I have plenty to do to keep me busy.”

He stood and clapped my shoulder. “I’m sure you do. But I’d bet my bank account you don’t take your eyes off that stage.”

***

It was a good thing I hadn’t taken that bet—not that I would’ve ever admitted I’d spent the last three fucking hours watching Stella’s every move on the stage. When Jack had told me they wanted Stella on-air, a part of me wasn’t sure that was a wise business move. Sure, she was gorgeous and the camera would probably love her, but she had no experience. Though after sitting around the last few hours and watching her, I completely understood what the host had seen that made her want Stella to be part of the pitch.

She was passionate and funny, and had an innocent quality that made you believe everything she said up there—as if she were too wholesome to lie. Hell, I wanted to buy the freaking perfume, and I owned part of the company.

A little after five o’clock, they finally wrapped shooting. Stella talked to the host and crew for a while, then turned to look out into the audience. She cupped her hands over her brows, shielding her eyes from the overhead light. Finding me still sitting in the fourth row back, she smiled and headed to the stairs at the side of the stage. I stood and walked down the aisle to meet her.

“Oh my God,” she said. “That was so much fun!”

“You looked like you were having a good time.”

“I hope I don’t come off as a weirdo.” She held up her hands and wiggled her fingers. “I felt…like I’d been electrocuted or something. Not in a cook-your-organs way, but like a nonstop jolt of energy racing through my body.”

I laughed. “You did great—entertaining, yet sincere.” I turned at the sound of the stage door behind us opening and closing. Jack was back, and the fucker wasn’t alone. I was going to kick his scrawny ass.

He walked over, sporting the biggest, gloating smile. “Hudson, you remember Brent, right?”

I gritted my teeth and extended my hand. “I do. How’s it going, Brent?”

We were still shaking when the asshole’s eyes locked on Stella. He couldn’t let go of my hand fast enough. “I don’t think we’ve met. Brent Fenway.”

Stella smiled. “Fenway like the park?”

“One and the same. Have you ever been there?”

“I haven’t, actually.”

“Maybe I can take you sometime.”

Seriously? He’d been in the room less than thirty seconds, and he was already hitting on her? How long until he pissed on her like she was a fire hydrant?

Jack gave me a look and rocked back and forth on his heels. He seemed pretty damn proud of himself. “That sounds like a fun date. Don’t you think, Hudson?”

I glared at him. “I’m a Yankees fan.”

“I saw Robyn on my way back down. She wants to see us.” Jack thumbed toward the door he’d just walked through. “She’s in her office. It’s just down the hall.”

“Okay.” Couldn’t say I was upset to say goodbye to Brent so soon. I nodded at him. “Good seeing you.” I extended a hand to Stella. “After you...”

Jack shook his head. “Actually, she only asked to see you and me, Hudson. Stella can hang back here. I’m sure Brent can keep her company.”