The Dating Dare (Gambling Men Book 2)

by Barbara Dunlop

  Jamie’s eyes were annoyed, but his voice was calm. “Who have you been targeting, and where have you gone so far?”

  I was impressed with his apparent self-control. Then again, I was pretty biased when it came to Jamie. I knew he had flaws, but I was hard-pressed to see any of them. He was one incredible package of a man.

  I realized we’d turned him into exactly what he’d wanted—the guy that women pointed to from across the room, the guy every woman wanted to meet. And now that we’d succeeded, I didn’t want it at all.

  Why hadn’t I just spoken up way back then, way back when no other women were looking? Why hadn’t I just said, “Hey, James, date me, let’s see what happens?”

  I could tell myself that Nat would never have done that. But she should have done that. I should have done that. Now I felt like our time together was ticking down.

  “Suppliers,” Sophie said. “We’ve done trade shows from LA to New York. Bryce and I have taken two weeks’ vacation to focus.”

  I was surprised to hear that. Sophie hadn’t said anything to me about using up her vacation time.

  “I’ve been through a Rolodex of suppliers,” Bryce said.

  “Have you tried individual restaurants?” Jamie asked. “Who are the trendsetters?”

  “They can’t get a return going retail,” Aaron said.

  “They can prove the concept,” Jamie said. “And trendsetters move things on social media.”

  “I’ve tried that approach,” Bryce said. “I made appointments during my downtime in New York City. I couldn’t get any takers. I’d try locally, but nobody in Seattle has a big enough national profile.”

  Jamie paced to the kitchen corner and then turned. “Give me your elevator pitch again?”

  “Perfection,” Bryce said. “Zero labor, no waste, consistency and perfection.”

  “Who likes perfection?” Jamie asked.

  Everybody looked at each other, but nobody answered.

  “High-end places,” Ethan suggested.

  “That’s where I’ve been trying,” Bryce said.

  “This is getting us nowhere.” Aaron frowned and dropped onto a sofa.

  “Nationally,” Jamie said.

  I could tell by his quirk of a smile that he’d thought of something.

  He kept talking. “Our focus is too narrow. What about international? Who likes perfection? The French? Food is a really big deal in Paris.”

  “The French are all about taste,” Bryce said. “They cater to sophisticated palates. The look isn’t so important.”

  “Italy?” Jamie asked. “Asia?”

  “I see what you’re thinking,” Bryce said. Then he gave a chopped laugh. “Japan.”

  “That’s good,” Jamie said.

  “Japan?” Aaron mocked. “Your solution is to try doing business in Japan?”

  “They’re technology leaders themselves,” Ethan said, though he looked skeptical.

  “Has a Japanese company come out with a comparable product?” Jamie asked.

  Ethan looked uncomfortable. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, find out,” Jamie said. “If New York doesn’t want to be a trendsetter, maybe Tokyo does.”

  “I don’t have a single contact in Japan.” Sophie looked like she was close to tears.

  “I have a few,” Jamie said.

  I couldn’t help but look at him in surprise again, and maybe in awe, and maybe with an even bigger crush than I’d had ten minutes ago.

  Was there anything he couldn’t do?

  Jamie had his phone out and was pressing buttons. “Ethan, you need to get a prototype packed and ready to ship with us. Bryce, keep working on individual restaurants. They may end up being our only hope. Try LA next. They must have trendsetters in LA. Sophie?”

  Sophie glanced at him. “Yes?”

  “Want to go to New York with me?”

  “Me?” she asked, looking surprised, beautiful and surprised.

  I was surprised, too. Not that I didn’t trust Sophie’s business acumen. I did. But Bryce was the chef and Ethan was the tech specialist.

  “Rina Nanami is in New York City right now. The Nanami family is a client, and they own a chain of high-end restaurants in Japan. Our best bet is for her to meet one of the owners in person. It has to be Sophie because Rina will like that she’s a woman entrepreneur. That’s our ticket in through the door.”

  I fought a lump in my throat.

  I was glad that Jamie had an idea. I was excited for Sophie and for everyone.

  And I wouldn’t be jealous of Sophie going to New York with Jamie. I got that she was the business owner and not me. Besides, Sophie wasn’t interested in Jamie. She was with Bryce.

  And, anyway, Jamie and I were just friends. I didn’t have the right to be jealous of him with anyone.

  But I wanted it to be me in New York, me with Jamie, me on a cross-country flight in his company.

  He looked at me then.

  I could tell what he was thinking. At least, I hoped I could tell what he was thinking. What I wanted him to be thinking was that he’d miss me. Better still, I wanted him to be thinking he’d stay here tonight, that he’d wait until everyone else left and then he and I could have benefits again.

  I wanted him to spend the night this time. I wanted to watch the dawn break in his arms, share coffee in my little rooftop garden, laugh together over toast or eggs or blueberry bagels.

  I wanted Jamie to myself.

  I didn’t want him to fly off with Sophie.

  The countdown on our relationship felt like it was ticking louder than ever.

  “It’ll be a whirlwind trip,” he said to me. “I’m...” After a second, he clamped his jaw, seeming to become aware that all gazes were on him.

  “Good luck,” I said in the brightest voice I could muster.

  “I want to be there by morning,” he said. “It’ll give us the best chance of catching Rina.”

  He was talking to everyone, but his gaze was still on me.

  I thought he was apologizing. At least, I hoped he was apologizing. I wanted him to be as disappointed about tonight as I was. But I couldn’t be sure that was happening. It was impossible to know.

  * * *

  It was bad enough to be jealous of Sophie.

  I’d spent two days being jealous of Sophie.

  But as I walked into the O’Neil Nybecker offices, I had a whole new reason to be jealous.

  I’d felt good leaving home to drive over here. Jamie was back, and he’d asked me to meet him at the office. I assumed we were going out for dinner, maybe we’d do a little downtown shopping, or maybe we’d look at houses again. Whatever it was, I’d like being back on track.

  As long as we ended up back at my place later on, or maybe his place this time. Friends with benefits was way more fun when you found time for the benefits.

  I’d put on a pale blue crepe dress with a flowing gray speckled sweater over top. Both hung to midthigh, leaving a length of bare leg to show off my shimmery, dusty-blue ankle boots. They weren’t perfect for walking, but they were better than spike-heeled sandals or pumps. I’d topped the dress off with a chunky bright blue necklace.

  I’d felt chic and funky, quite pretty, really. That is, until I spotted Sophie laughing next to Jamie in a royal blue cocktail dress. It was fitted and sleek, with a straight neckline and wide shoulder straps. Sophie looked ready for a night on the town.

  Worse, on the other side of Jamie was a lovely, petite Japanese woman. She wore a short, jewel-encrusted jacket over a pleated white skirt. Her dark hair was swooped up, and her jewels looked like real diamonds. She had her hand on Jamie’s arm, and he was whispering something in her ear.

  They looked fantastic together, a power couple out to conquer the world.

  I tried to capture the feeling I’d
had when I gazed in the mirror earlier. But it was gone. The sweater that had seemed so fashion forward then felt dowdy now.

  “Natasha.” It was Aaron who spotted me first. “Did you hear the good news?”

  I hadn’t heard any news. Although Jamie had definitely sounded upbeat when he’d called and asked me to meet him at the office.

  “What’s going on?” I asked Aaron.

  “We’re about to pop the champagne.”

  “For?” I prompted.

  “The contract, of course.”

  “Of course,” I said.

  “And all the rest,” he said with a grin.

  Sophie spotted me then and rushed forward. “Nat. There you are!”

  I was grateful for her enthusiastic greeting, but I couldn’t help wanting Jamie to notice me, too. So far he was still absorbed in conversation with the pretty woman who still had her hand on his arm.

  “Isn’t it fantastic?” Sophie asked.

  “I don’t know what’s going on,” I told her.

  “We got a deal. Rina Nanami, well, her family, the Nanami Corporation, have put in an order for Sweet Tech. A big order for their restaurant equipment distribution company in Tokyo. They have customers all over Asia, their own restaurants and a bunch of others. James is thrilled. He says Horatio is thrilled.”

  Aaron reappeared and handed Sophie and I each a flute of champagne.

  I was a little surprised that O’Neil Nybecker would pull out the stops like this to celebrate the sale. I mean, it was fantastic for Sophie and BRT Innovations. But it couldn’t be that big of a deal to O’Neil Nybecker. I mean, in the greater scheme of things.

  Just then, an older man appeared from a corner office. He was quickly handed a glass of champagne, and the attention all turned to him.

  “That’s Horatio,” Sophie whispered to me.

  When I compared him to Aaron, I could see the family resemblance.

  Everyone went quiet.

  “Thank you all for helping us to celebrate today,” he said to the assembled crowd.

  I glanced around at executives of all ages in suits, skirt suits and classic dresses.

  “To O’Neil Nybecker’s newly expanded relationship with Nanami Corporation. Thank you to James Gillen and Rina Nanami for getting the ball rolling. We look forward to our firms’ future together in technology and beyond. Ms. Nanami, please extend my sincerest thank-you to your grandfather. We look forward to visiting Tokyo soon.”

  Horatio held up his glass.

  Everyone followed suit and took a drink.

  It took me a second to remember to take a sip.

  Clearly, there was more going on here than a contract for Sweet Tech.

  “Good trip?” I asked Sophie. My tone sounded darker than I’d intended.

  She gave me an odd look. “Fantastic, of course.”

  Jamie still hadn’t looked at me. Rina Nanami had all of his attention. I was wishing I’d stayed home.

  “I take it James did more than the Sweet Tech contract?”

  “Is something wrong?” Sophie asked.

  “No. Why would anything be wrong?”

  “You tell me. Are you jealous?”

  I almost spilled my champagne. I couldn’t believe Sophie had pegged me so fast. What had I said? How had I given away my feelings? This was mortifying.

  “I’m not a millionaire yet or anything,” Sophie said. There was a teasing tone to her voice. “It was a good sale, but you and I are still friends.” She gave me a nudge on the arm. “And, anyway, I’ll still hang out with you when I’m filthy rich.”

  I managed a smile. It was a smile of relief. My secret was still safe.

  “I’m not jealous,” I told her. “And I don’t want to be filthy rich.”

  “I’ll take us on a cruise,” she said. “You and me in the South Pacific, hanging out on the beach, barefoot waiters bringing us blender drinks.”

  “You just used up all your vacation.” I ordered myself not to look at Jamie.

  “After we make the first million, I’m quitting my job.”

  I managed a chuckle at that. “What about Bryce? Won’t he want to go on a cruise with you?”

  She waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, that’s not going anywhere.”

  “What? I thought it was a thing. He seems really nice.” I couldn’t help it. My thoughts went to Jamie again. Was it Sophie I needed to worry about and not Rina Nanami?

  I hated myself for thinking that way.

  “We decided not to mix business and a relationship,” Sophie said.

  “You didn’t meet someone else?” I hated to ask, but I didn’t want to have to wonder. Wondering would be painful.

  The alternative was asking Jamie. And I didn’t think I could bring myself to do that.

  “When would I have met someone else?” she asked.

  “Oh. Okay.” I felt worse. No, I felt better. No, I felt stupidly selfish and suspicious. “Are you okay about it?” Remembering I was her best friend, I checked her expression for signs of heartbreak.

  “I’m fine. It was a mutual decision.”

  “How mutual?” Like me, Sophie had bemoaned her single status after Layla and Brooklyn each got married.

  “Very mutual. I’ll be more than happy to go on a girlfriend cruise. I won’t mope around.”

  My gaze moved to Jamie. I was afraid I might mope around without him.

  He caught my eye then, and he smiled. A big, not-a-care-in-the-world smile as if he hadn’t been standing there flirting with Rina Nanami and ignoring me for the past fifteen minutes.

  He said something to her, maybe excusing himself, maybe telling her he’d be right back, maybe setting a time to meet up with her later...at his place...for wild and crazy sex in his king-size bed.

  I knew my imagination was out of control. And I knew I was being stupid, stupid, stupid about my friend with benefits. My job was to help him become attractive to women. If the past few minutes were anything to go by, I could check that one as a success.

  But I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened between them in New York. They’d been together there for two whole days and seemed to have made the business deal of the year. Clearly, they respected each other. Maybe they admired each other. Obviously they liked each other, quite a lot I had to imagine.

  You didn’t make the business deal of the year with someone unless you liked them a lot. And Rina Nanami seemed perfect for the new Jamie. She was worldly, successful, sophisticated, exciting. Men definitely pointed at her from across the room. They’d be jealous of Jamie if she was by his side.

  They might have had a whirlwind romance in New York. Maybe there’d be no more benefits for me. Maybe Jamie was now taken.

  I knew I could ask Sophie if something had happened between Jamie and Rina, but I’d give myself away for sure if I started quizzing her on that.

  “Hi, Tasha,” he said.

  He didn’t hug me. He didn’t kiss me. He didn’t even shake my hand.

  I didn’t like that.

  “Did Sophie tell you we’re all going to dinner?”

  “All of us?” I asked.

  Jamie paused for a second. “Yes. All of us. It’s a celebration.”

  “Great,” I said, forcing a note of cheer into my voice. “That’s great.”

  Sophie motioned to Bryce and Ethan.

  What? Jamie mouthed to me.

  “Nice trip?” I asked him.

  I tried to stop myself, but my gaze went to Rina Nanami.

  Jamie followed my gaze.

  “Sophie told you?” he asked.

  The bottom fell right out of my stomach. I was stunned for a moment. I wanted to ask him why he’d bothered inviting me here. Did he want to show off Rina Nanami? Was she proof that our little experiment worked, that our little game together wa
s over?

  “I didn’t think she’d do that,” he said.

  “No reason not to,” I said.

  Sophie didn’t know I was falling for Jamie. Heck, Jamie didn’t know I was falling for Jamie. I was completely alone here in my heartbreak.

  “It’s really my news,” he said.

  “Okay.” I waited for him to give it to me with both barrels. I told myself I’d take it well. I’d congratulate him and make an excuse to go home. Maybe I had a headache. I did have a headache. At least, I was developing a headache. I’d have one soon, I could tell.

  “Head office is a huge step,” he said. “Guys wait decades for an offer like the one they gave me.”

  I blinked at him.

  I might have also cocked my head sideways in confusion.

  I dropped my mouth open, hoping for logical words to come out. Nothing did.

  Eleven

  I sat next to Sophie at dinner.

  It was an oversize round table that made it feel like we were slightly too far apart. Aaron was on the other side of Sophie, then Bryce, Jamie, Rina around to Ethan next to me.

  Sophie leaned close, keeping her voice low. “Tell me again why Brooklyn didn’t marry James.”

  The question made me look at Jamie. Looking at Jamie made me want him.

  After hearing Jamie’s big news was a promotion to the head office in LA, I wasn’t as jealous of Rina. But it was still clear she liked him. She liked him a lot. As did both waitresses, and I thought the hostess might try to give him her number before we left.

  “She met Colton,” I said to Sophie, my voice equally low. “She fell in love with Colton.”

  “I suppose,” Sophie said. “But why she’d go looking, I’ll never understand.”

  I didn’t want to be jealous of Sophie again. I hated that feeling.

  I told myself admiring Jamie was a long way from making a serious play for him. I didn’t think Sophie would do that, not given his history with Brooklyn.

  I shouldn’t be doing it, either.

  I wasn’t doing it. Not really.

  I was just mooning over him, wishing I could sleep with him again and trying to keep my feelings under control. That wasn’t the same as making a serious play for him.