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I shrug. “Enlighten me as to what does.”
“Those are secrets for the vault.” She tosses the menu onto my bed. “You pick what you want. I’m off duty now.”
Just her saying that makes me want to ask her for another kiss.
I pick up the menu, glance at it, and toss it back to her. “Nachos and a beer.”
“Nachos are a go, but no alcohol, Mr. Concussion.” She wiggles her finger in front of me.
“I’m fine, I told you.”
“And yet you can barely keep your eyes open.”
I feign annoyance, but the truth is, if I fall asleep, then the temptation to do anything other than pig out on room service and watch a movie won’t be stirring underneath every word we speak to one another. “Fine. Water.”
She picks up the phone, orders room service, then snatches the remote off the table between us.
I swing my legs off the bed to grab my computer. “I might as well work.”
“When’s the last time you just chilled out?” she asks and holds up her hand before I can answer. “Remember, I have access to your schedule. You’re always going somewhere, whether it’s with your brothers or clients.”
I stay seated, realizing she’s right. “Well, since Blair Peterson is trying to steal you from under me, I have to stay on my toes.”
Her smile fades. “Not from you. From Jacobson and Earl.”
“You ready to talk about it?”
She picks at her fingers, her twelve-year-old self vanishing and transforming into a twenty-seven-year-old woman who doesn’t want to disappoint anyone. I hope one day she takes what she wants without apology. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but one she’ll need in this business if she ever wants to succeed.
“I declined the offer. It’s no big deal.” She shrugs.
“You look like it’s a big deal.”
Her eyes dart to mine briefly then back down to her lap. “It’s just… my future at Jacobson and Earl isn’t guaranteed. Sure, they agreed to the new terms, but who’s to say I don’t sit at the junior ad exec level for ten years?”
“Then take Coddle’s offer. Which is…?”
She blows out a breath. “They would bring the advertising in-house. I’d be in charge of coming up with the overall branding in the various ads for each product line.”
Fuck.My head rears back. Blair takes no prisoners. How can Annie turn down that opportunity? It’s huge. I can’t deny I’m slightly jealous. No company I’ve worked with has asked for me to come on their staff full-time. If Annie goes to Coddle and they pull their advertising in-house, my chances at making partner are shot. “That’s… big.”
She nods, still concentrating on her hands. “But I can’t take it.”
“Why?”
She looks at me, those burning embers of what’s developing between us there for a moment before they disappear. “Beth just had the baby and I don’t want to be away. My dad is in New York.”
I nod. I understand how important family is.
Picking up the remote, she presses on the movie section. “What do you want to watch?”
Just like that, the conversation is over. I wish I had a crystal ball and could see that Mr. Jacobson will take care of Annie in the future, but I don’t. If I have to go on my gut, I think she might be right in her assessment.
I strip off my jacket and toss it on the chair before stepping out of my shoes and positioning the pillows so I can lean against them on the bed. “No chick flicks.”
“Let’s rock, paper, scissors for it?” She laughs.
I shoot her my most bored expression, and she falls over on the bed, flailing in laughter.
