Sugar

She looked up from the contract she’d been glancing through to stare at her. “You postponed the meeting?”

“I did, but it’s getting harder to make excuses.” Amanda folded her arms, staring at her. “Is this company bad or something?”

“It’s not bad. It’s actually really good.” She opened up her drawer, pulling out the file, which was rather thick. “There are a few points we need to go over when we do eventually meet.”

“I don’t get it. What the hell’s going on?”

“I’ve actually met him,” Sugar said.

“You’ve met him?”

“Yeah, at the dog run downtown. Not far from where I live. He has this really beautiful dog, Boscoe. Clearly, he doesn’t know what he’s doing. I offered him some advice, he gave me his card and asked me to include Boscoe on my schedule.”

Amanda gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. “No! He thought you were a dog walker?”

“Yes, honestly, that’s what he said and I at first refused to walk his dog, then when he kept asking, I said yes. He seemed really desperate.”

“Is he cute?”

“Amanda!”

“Come on. There has to be a reason why you of all people would allow this complete lie to carry on. You must like him.”

“I don’t like him. He’s a total ass. He thought I was a dog walker. That I didn’t do anything else with my day. Believe me, that’s not the kind of guy I find attractive.”

“What is the kind of guy you find attractive?” Amanda asked.

“I don’t know. One who isn’t an ass and assumes things about people. I was dressed to take Poppy out. That doesn’t mean I’m not a professional.” She stared at Amanda.

“You’re going to have to face him sooner or later. This is just … I can’t believe this is happening. I want to be in on the meeting,” Amanda said. “Just to see his face when you walk in.”

“You think I’m ruining everything right now?”

Amanda looked sympathetic. She wasn’t just Sugar’s PA; they’d become friends over the years. “I don’t think you’re ruining everything. If he wants the deal, he’ll take it regardless. Have you told him who you were?”

“I told him my name is Sugar. It’s not an everyday name but it’s clear he didn’t recognize it. He seems distracted half the time.” Which didn’t help her either because he was so handsome and sexy even. When she took Boscoe back to his apartment in the evening, he always looked so relaxed. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to the elbow and she got a glimpse of his muscular arms. His hands were nice and long and he didn’t shake when he was near her.

“You know why he’s distracted. He wants you.” Amanda burst out laughing. “This is so good. I better go and keep on putting him off.”

Sugar released a breath as she sat back.

The rest of the day went without event. But she knew she had to stop putting this off.

Not only was it bad for business, but the longer she left it, the harder it was going to be when she finally had a meeting planned.

Tapping her pen on the desk, she glanced at the large file that contained her notes. She wasn’t going to put this off any longer. Getting to her feet, she called over to Amanda. “Arrange for him to come in next week.”

“You want a meeting with Mr. Richmond?” Amanda asked.

“Yes, make it for next Friday. Don’t tell him my first name.”

“I never do.”

Nodding at her PA, she sat back in her office.

It didn’t matter if she was ready to face Colton in her domain. They’d come here, go through the contracts, and then it would be over.

No more drooling after the man who thought she was a dog walker. She would miss walking Boscoe. She knew Poppy adored the big beast of a dog.

Amanda came back to her office a few minutes later.

“It’s arranged?” Sugar asked.

“He wanted me to pull it forward to today but I wouldn’t let him. He’s the pushy kind of man, isn’t he?”

“I don’t really know what kind of man he is.” But I want to find out.

“You can certainly put him in the category of jumping to conclusions.”

“That I can.” She forced a smile to her lips.

“You okay, Sugar?” Amanda asked.

“I’m fine. Just … it’s going to be tough next Friday.”

“You’ll do more than fine. Remember who you are. Don’t let him think you’re anything but brilliant, and that is exactly what you are, Sugar. Brilliant.”

“You should have been one of those life coaches that gives inspirational advice.”

Amanda laughed. “Not a chance. I can’t keep my nosey opinion to myself.” Amanda winked and then it was back to business as usual.

5

Sugar brought her knuckles down on Colton’s front door, and then took a step back. Her heart was thundering, her nerves on high alert. She hated feeling like this, but what she needed more than that was to be honest with him.