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When Austin had questioned him on what elements of burlesque he was thinking of—the exaggerated comedic angle or the striptease version—Kevin had indicated “all of the above.” When Austin told him it wouldn’t fly, the guy proceeded to argue with Austin, saying that it would be in the same vein as the antics that happen during Mardi Gras, to which Austin replied, that despite its bawdy reputation, the city was trying tried very hard to keep Mardi Gras as clean as possible.
Austin finally shut him down by saying he wasn’t interested in investing. It wasn’t the type of business the Fortunes wanted associated with their name. Period. Kevin Clooney had called Austin a prude. As if insulting him was going to make him reconsider and fund the guy’s unworthy project.
Did Felicity know about Kevin’s striptease food truck idea?
Of course, a lot could change in a year. Maybe the guy had learned some manners, even though Austin didn’t believe it.
When Kevin Clooney saw Austin watching him, he waved. If Austin hadn’t been pissed off before, he was now. But this was his moment to let the guy know he remembered him and he still wasn’t impressed with what he saw.
Why was Felicity even talking to this dude?
Austin walked out to Felicity’s desk, where she appeared to be hurrying Kevin out of the office. Purse on her arm, she looked a little sheepish when Austin approached them.
“Austin Fortune.” He extended a hand.
* * *
Felicity should’ve stuck to her guns and met Kevin downstairs, despite his need for the bathroom.
She knew that now.
“We’ve met,” Kevin said in his overly enthusiastic wheeler-dealer tone as he accepted Austin’s hand and clapped him on the back. “Austin, my man, don’t crush me and say you don’t remember me. I’m Kevin Clooney.”
“I remember you, Kevin. You’re hard to forget.”
Kevin laughed, obviously taking Austin’s words as a compliment. Felicity, however, could read her boss and could sense the waves of irritation rippling off him.
Austin glanced at Felicity and furrowed his brow. She frowned and bit her bottom lip, trying to telepath an apology.
“It’s good to see you again, man,” Kevin said, as if he was Austin’s long lost best friend.
Austin didn’t reply to him. Instead he turned to her. “Felicity, don’t forget we have the final walk through at the Roosevelt Hotel tomorrow evening.”
This time Felicity was the one to arch a brow at him. She knew he’d just come up with this fieldtrip because it wasn’t on the calendar. “Of course,” she said. “How could I forget?”
“We are preparing for the Fortune Investment charity gala, Kevin,” Austin said. “This is an important event for our family foundation. Felicity has been instrumental in organizing the event for the past several years. It keeps her very busy.”
This was obviously for Kevin’s benefit. Austin was blocking off her schedule and making sure Kevin knew it. She wasn’t sure which irritated her more, Kevin’s aggressive approach or Austin’s passive aggressiveness. Either way, she hated being stuck in the middle.
“Cool. So, Austin, I have another business proposition I want to run by you. Can I get on your schedule this week?”
Felicity fumed. The guy really was obtuse.
“Kevin, we need to go,” she said.
“As I just said,” Austin interjected, “I’m slammed until after the gala and even after that I’m pretty sure I’m booked.”
“It’ll only take a minute. It’s an opportunity I know you won’t want to miss. I’m sure Felicity could fit me in. Let me buy you breakfast. Ya gotta eat.”
“Actually, I have to make a call.” Austin pinned Felicity with a pointed look and turned around and walked away.
“But, hey, if you’re busy, I get it,” Kevin called out. “I’ll be in touch. Talk soon.”
Felicity was silent as Kevin talked nonstop in the elevators down to the first floor. Once they were outside, she stopped in front of the doors.
“Kevin, did you come inside so you could pitch your business idea to Austin?”
“I came inside to pick you up for our date, like any gentleman would do.” He was being prickly. Maybe he wasn’t as obtuse as Felicity had thought. “I had no idea that he would be in the office. But he was, so I took the opportunity. Don’t tell me you’re mad. How can you be mad at that?”
