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Perfect. Back to action, Carol.
I ignore the tingling sensation that’s spreading from my hand to my arm and up to my chest. “What data did you bring for me?”
His hand presses mine hard. “Everything from the last eight months. That’s when things started to get flaky. But let’s eat first. I’ve troubled you enough already.”
We eat in almost complete silence, with only a few pointless comments every now and then. Brian clears the table when we are both done. I head back to the sofa, grabbing his briefcase before I sit down.
I gather Daniel’s drawings from the coffee table, careful not to crease them, and set them aside. Then, without waiting for Brian, I open his briefcase and pull out the folders, eight in total.
“There are way more than those, but I’ll bring you the rest once we get back from the trip. Still, I think you’ll get an idea of what’s going on, and you can give me an estimate.”
I open the first folder and scan the numbers. At first glance, nothing seems off. I go to the second one. The same. Then, the third and the fourth, until something catches my eye.
He sits next to me as I pull the pages out and lay them on the table. Crouched, I quickly scan the data again.
“Do you have the invoices for these?”
He thinks about it. “I can get them. You see it too, right?”
“There might be something here, yes. But I would need to go over all the transactions to know for sure. Both digital and hard copies.”
If this is a software error, it’s easily solvable. But if the documents are falsified then the problem for the company is far worse.
“Great. And the cost?” Brian asks without missing a bit.
I give him a number, good enough for me and, from what I can see in these papers, without breaking the bank for his friend.
He tilts his head to the side, one corner of his mouth slightly upwards. “Done. I’ll gather everything you need and—”
“Don’t you need to ask your friend if he agrees?”
The transactions show that the company is big—very big—and for his friend to be in trouble, he’s definitely senior management. My offer isn’t that much, but still.
“His ass is on the line. There’s nothing to ask about.” He leans closer, his breath tickling the back of my neck. “So, we’re in business then?”
I inch my face close to his, his eyes tired but longing for something, then put a hand on his face, tracing his strong jawline. He hasn’t shaved today but I enjoy how the stubble pricks my fingers.
“No,” I pout. “I need to make sure that you will do everything I ask for while we’re there.”
His hand moves to my back, gently rubbing it. “Everything?”
“We need to show we are in a happy—no, perfect—relationship. I want to get my family off my back, but most importantly, to rub it in Morgan’s face that I’ve moved on too.”
A muscle tingles under my fingers and Brian pulls away. “Morgan?” He shifts next to me looking as if he’s trying to remember something.
Shit. Dennis didn’t tell him about Morgan. “Yes. My ex. He’s coming to the wedding with a date—a good friend of my sister.” I sound almost indifferent, something that surprises me. Morgan’s attendance was what solidified my decision for a fake date and yet, I couldn’t care less right now.
Brian frowns and his lips form a narrow line, his honey eyes fervent and questioning. He’s definitely jealous. This is starting to get more and more entertaining.
“So, this is all just to get back at your ex?” He sounds offended too.
Both my exes actually. “That, too.” I avert my gaze before I ask, “Does that change anything? If so, just tell me now so that I can—”
“We are going together,” Brian interrupts. “And don’t worry, no one will doubt how madly in love we are.”
To prove it, he crushes his lips onto mine.
Mistakes, mistakes.
