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Wes rearranged the salt and pepper shakers. “Running from bad memories, I guess.”
“Sorry.” Bree lowered her gaze. “I shouldn’t have pried. I didn’t mean to dredge up bad memories.”
“No need to apologize. You couldn’t have known.” He forced a smile, hoping to set her mind at ease. “You know, I haven’t thought of New Bern as home in years. I spent most of my life in London and it’s felt like home for the past twenty years, but…”
“But this trip home feels different?” Her wide, brown eyes were like a truth elixir.
Wes nodded. “Yeah. When I first got off that plane last month, it was the first time since I was a kid that I felt some sense of nostalgia. Maybe even a little bit of homesickness.”
“So will you be coming home more often now?”
“Actually, I decided to move back to the US. I’ve always known that one day I wanted to establish my event-and-promo business here.” Wes dropped his gaze from hers. He wouldn’t lie to her, but she wasn’t entitled to know everything about him or his family. “Now feels like the time to do that.”
“Your mother must be happy.”
“Haven’t told her yet. I wanted to wait and see how things worked out with the tournament.”
“You mean whether you could stand to work with me for an entire six months.” She laughed when his eyes widened. “Relax, I’m not offended. I considered backing out, too.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.” His gaze held hers. His pulse quickened in response to the slow smile that spread across her face.
“Glad you didn’t, either.” Bree tucked her hair behind her ear. “I think we have the potential to be an incredible team that delivers on everything Liam is hoping for, but that means we need to function like a team. No surprises.”
“Fair enough,” Wes conceded, thankful the server stepped in to take their order.
Once their orders were complete, she checked her email again.
“Everything okay with your sponsor?” Wes sipped his sweet tea. “I couldn’t help overhearing some of your conversation in the car.”
“The usual production drama.” She shrugged, putting her phone on the table. “Seems there’s some sort of drama whenever we roll out a new line. I’ve learned to roll with it. What about you? Seems like you had some business drama of your own.”
“Got a big corporate event coming up. I’ll be there for the event and the days leading up to it, but I’m letting my team take the lead on this one. I’ve been dealing with this client for a while. He’s having a bloody meltdown, as he’s wont to do during these events.”
“But you weren’t speaking to him. You were speaking to a woman.”
“How’d you…?”
“You turn up that Southern-boy charm when you’re speaking to a woman.” The corner of her mouth curved in the sexiest smirk he’d ever seen as she swirled her straw inside her glass. “Even if you’re not attracted to her.”
Wes didn’t acknowledge her assessment as he leaned back against the booth. What she’d said was true, though not something he did intentionally.
“I was talking to my event manager, Nadia. She’s second-in-command. She’s bright and capable, but she’s nervous about taking over the reins.”
“Oh.” She seemed relieved by his answer. “I liked how you handled the conversation. You conveyed your confidence in her in a way that felt warm and genuine. It seemed to calm her down. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but I noticed the shift in her tone,” she added when he gave her a puzzled look.
“That charm of yours is dangerously effective.” Bree folded her arms on the table and leaned forward. “Because I still can’t believe you talked me in to this trip.”
“I’m still stunned by that one myself.” Wes chuckled. “But I’m glad you agreed to join me. The trip wouldn’t be nearly as fun solo.”
Bree’s mouth twisted in a reluctant smile. “Now that I’m here, I would think I’ve earned at least a preview of what to expect over this next week.”
