Page 114 of Ice Cold Hearts
“What about fighting on the Ice? Does that count as hurting someone?” Oliver teases.
She rolls her eyes. “Ignore him, he’s being a smartass. You make plenty of rational decisions. Missing out on making one connection after watching something stressful does not mean you’re ruled by your emotions or whatever bullshit they were trying to sell everyone.”
“I love you,” I say, pulling her in for a kiss.
“All right,” Alexei says once we pull apart. “They want to meet with us to discuss how this interview impacts our PR as a team.”
“Why do I feel like that’s code for a dressing down?” I ask.
“Because it is.” Oliver rolls his eyes. “Don’t they have anything better to do?”
“What time is the meeting, Love?” she asks sweetly.
“Emily, you’re not going. This is our problem with management. You don’t have to sit through this shit show,” Alexei says.
She marches over until they’re standing toe to toe. “Your problem? I don’t think so. When one of us has a problem, we all have a problem. That’s what a committed relationship means. I’m going. Now, what time is the meeting, Alexei?”
Oliver and I exchange smirks as Alexei quails under her gaze.
“Nine a.m.”
“Excellent. That gives me plenty of time.” She grins.
“To do what?” Alexei demands.
The wicked gleam in her eyes terrifies me.
“You’ll see tomorrow at noon. I’m sure you big, strong men can handle waiting that long,” she teases.
Then before any of us can stop her, Emily is on a mad dash for the door, slowing only to call over her shoulder, “I’ll be back soon. You’re on Audrey duty!”
39
ALEXEI
It’s nine a.m. and Emily is nowhere in sight. I feel my back get tighter and tighter every minute she’s late. Oliver spins restlessly in his chair at the conference table while Ian taps his fingers anxiously.
Cliff and his minions sit stiffly, looking more and more annoyed.
“Clearly, this girl—” He falters at my glare. “Clearly, Emily doesn’t see this meeting as a priority. I think at this point, we can start without?—”
The door flies open and Emily bursts in with her hands full of papers followed by a woman I’ve never met before. She’s petite and dark blonde with an innocent round face but eyes as shrewd as a street vendor’s. I know her face, but I have no idea from where.
“So sorry we’re late,” says the tiny woman. “The copier at my office picked the absolute worst time to jam.”
“Kim, how nice to see you,” says Cliff with a tone that belies his words.
That’s how I know her. She’s Kimberly Pratchett, one of the best independent PR “fixers” in the city.
How the hell did Emily meet her?
“Cliff, dear, it’s been too long.” She smiles.
Her smile is more a baring of teeth and very intimidating. This tiny woman is two and a half feet shorter than me, but the way she carries herself has me shrinking back in my chair away from her and she’s on my side.
I hope she’s on my side.
“Well, now that everyone is here, we can finally start,” he says pointedly. “I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all seen the Gossip Gretchen interview.”