Page 30 of Bound To Be Mine

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was dismissing me again.

“It absolutely matters,” I said. “You don’t understand what I bring to this deal? That matters a lot, actually. I don’t want to work with someone who thinks I’m dead weight being carried by the Blackwell name.”

“Lucky you,” he said, and there was an edge to his voice now. “We won’t be working together. Once this is signed, I’m no longer involved. Adrian will handle most of it.”

“Right,” I said. “So you can just silently judge me from the sidelines. That’s so much better.”

“I’m not judging you.”

“You literally just judged me for ordering a drink.” I gestured at him with my glass. “I’ve been working for sixteen hours straight. I coordinated a three-hundred-person wedding without a single thing going wrong. And the second I get myself a drink to celebrate, you’re looking at me like I committed a crime.”

“I was simply pointing out that you were still on the job.”

“I’m not on the job anymore. The bride and groom are happy. The guests are happy. My work here is done.” I had to take a second before I lost my shit in front of the remaining guests. “You know what? I can’t work with a man who can’t relax. If you’re this uptight at a party, then no thank you. I don’t care how good the deal is.”

“I know how to relax,” he said, and now he sounded defensive. Good. Let him be defensive for once.

“Really? When’s the last time you let loose?”

“I used to drink like a Viking back in my younger days,” he said. I almost laughed at how ridiculous that sounded coming from Mr. Perfectly Pressed Suit.

“Used to,” I repeated. “Past tense. What happened?”

“I grew up. Got responsibilities.”

“You got boring,” I corrected. I picked up my drink again. “Fine. Prove to me you can have fun tonight and I’ll sign the contract.”

He stared at me like I’d just suggested he strip naked and dance on the tables. “What?”

“You heard me. Show me you’re capable of being a human being for one night. Show me you can let your guard down and actually enjoy yourself. Do that, and I’ll sign your contract. If not, have a nice life.”

“How exactly am I supposed to prove that?”

I smiled. “Have a drink with me.”

I could practically see the internal debate happening behind those blue eyes.

“Fine. Whatever. I thought I was too old for peer pressure.”

I turned to the bartender. “Two whiskeys. Neat.”

“I can order my own drink,” Briggs said.

“Too late. I already did.” I handed him the glass when the bartender set them down. “To proving you’re human.”

He hesitated for just a moment before raising his glass to mine. The crystal clinked together. I watched him take a sip.

“Happy?” he asked.

I grinned. “Oh, honey, we’re just getting started.”

“What does that even mean? Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“No. I’m trying to see if it’s possible for you to loosen up.”

“Whatever. Let’s just get this done.”

“That’s the spirit,” I said with a laugh. “You really are a bucketful of joy.”