Page 18 of Never To Be Mine

“I was just informing people that you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

That did it. I straightened up, using the eight inches of height I had on her to full advantage. “You don’t know anything about my products. I might not have all the education you do, but I hired people who do. So those claims weren’t just my opinions. They were expert opinions. I would have explained that to you if you had wanted to talk to me instead of screech at me.”

Her jaw dropped slightly, like she hadn’t expected me to push back. Good. She needed to know I wasn’t going to roll over for her, no matter how gorgeous she looked when she was furious.

And damn, she was furious. The way her blue eyes flashed with anger, the flush creeping up her neck, the way she held her ground without backing down an inch—it was doing things to me I definitely shouldn’t be feeling right now.

“You posted that video to humiliate me,” she said, but her voice had lost some of its edge.

“I posted that video to let people make up their own minds about my green shakes,” I countered. “If you don’t like how you looked in the video, that’s on you. It’s not like I edited it or faked anything. But I mean it when I say I never wanted it to blow up like it did. I never wanted people going after you the way they did. I might have underestimated how terrible some people can be online.”

She studied my face, searching for something. I held her gaze, having nothing to hide.

“You could have taken it down,” she said, her voice a little more subdued.

“By the time I realized how bad it had gotten, it was already everywhere. Taking it down wouldn’t have changed anything.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Look, I came here today to try to make this right. Your dad’s idea about the partnership? It actually makes sense. It helps both of us.”

“It helps you,” she corrected. “You get access to our production facilities, distribution network, and more importantly, our reputation. What do I get? The pleasure of working with someone who thinks it’s funny to turn my worst moment into a meme?”

“It helps you and your company,” I said. “It’s a public show of forgiveness, which you need and I don’t. According to the public, I’m the hero in this fight and you’re the villain. If you don’t want to change that narrative, that’s your choice. I can find another bottling plant. Good luck salvaging your reputation without me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to partner with a grifter.”

“Then use this partnership as an opportunity to prove I’m full of shit.” I leaned in slightly, watching her eyes. “Vet me like you would any other potential partner. Dig into my business, my products, my quality testing. If I’m really a snake oil salesman, you’ll find the evidence. And then you can tell your dad and the world ‘I told you so.’”

She didn’t move back, even though we were close enough now that I could smell her perfume, something clean and citrusy that made me want to lean in even closer.

“And if I do find evidence?” she asked.

“Then you win. The partnership falls through, and I’m out of your hair forever.” I let a small smile curve my lips. “But if you don’t find anything? If it turns out I actually know what I’m doing? Then maybe you admit you were wrong and we can all profit.”

“I’m not wrong.”

God, she was stubborn. It should have annoyed me. Instead, I found myself fighting the urge to grin like an idiot.

“So we have a deal?” I asked.

She crossed her arms, which only served to push her breasts up in a way that made my mouth go dry. Focus, Hollis.

“This isn’t a deal,” she said. “This is my father forcing me to babysit you while you try to con your way into our company.”

I straightened up, putting a more professional distance between us even though every instinct was telling me to get closer. “It’s going to be so satisfying when I prove you wrong, Juno.”

“Good luck with that.”

“I don’t need luck.” I didn’t wait for her response. I walked out of that conference room with my head held high, even though my heart was pounding and every nerve ending in my body was still buzzing from being so close to her.

The elevator ride down felt like it took forever. I replayed the entire interaction in my head, analyzing every word and flash of emotion in those incredible blue eyes.

She didn’t like me. That much was clear. When I had proposed the deal to her father, I never expected to work with her directly. It was an unwelcome wrinkle in my plans, but if life had taught me anything, it was that you had to stay flexible. Adapt or fail.

My phone buzzed as I stepped out onto the street.

A text from Micah: How’d it go?

I typed back: She still thinks I’m the devil. But they took the deal.

Micah: Great. Fill me in later.