The Organized Bride (Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 2)

by McConnell, Lucy

  Chapter 11

  Gabe hadn’t had time to smile at MaKayla before the door blocked his view. She looked tired—beautiful, but tired.

  David sat across from him, kicking his feet out like they were watching the game on his big screen instead of knee-deep in work. Gabe checked MaKayla’s schedule. The meeting with his accountant would go for at least an hour. He wanted to pop in at the end to see if she had any questions. After that, she was off to the hotel for another awards ceremony. He rubbed his neck. If she didn’t get some rest, she’d never get better.

  “Did she drink the tea?”

  “Hello to you too, sweetie.”

  Gabe glared at David over the top of his computer screen.

  “Yes, she drank the tea.”

  “Did it help?”

  “I don’t know. Do you want me to go ask her?”

  Gabe paused to consider it, and David jumped into his thoughts with, “I could pass her a note in English.”

  “Shut up.”

  “You guys are the weirdest married couple I’ve ever seen. It’s like you don’t even sleep together.”

  Gabe smacked his space bar repeatedly. Keeping all thoughts of sleeping with MaKayla out of his head was a top priority, but they needed to pull off the impression of a real marriage, so he asked, “Why do you say that?”

  David leaned back in his chair. “She asks me about you, you ask me about her. Don’t you guys have pillow talk?”

  There was no good way to answer that. If Gabe said yes, it would imply that he and MaKayla were sleeping together, which they weren’t. He didn’t want her to get wind of the rumor and think he was being crass. If he said no, then the marriage would look false, which it wasn’t. The marriage was real; he had the documentation to prove it. The whole thing was legally bound and wrapped in an elaborate prenuptial bow. Instead of answering that question, he asked one of his own. “How’s the luncheon coming?”

  “Good. She wants to make it less formal; thinks it will bring in more of the shareholders that way.”

  “We decided on formal to show how much we valued them.”

  “Don’t worry, the changes are subtle.”

  “That’s good. You guys get along okay?”

  “Yeah, she’s great.” David looked out the window. “Where did you two meet?”

  “Why?”

  “I just wondered if there were more where she came from.”

  “You’re such a—”

  “Hey, I’m not after your woman.” David tugged at his ear. “It’s just been a while since I met someone I could really connect with, ya know?”

  David could easily break the ice with almost any woman with a few teasing jokes, but the depth of his relationships stopped there. When he wanted to get serious, they ran or broke down and told him they were still in love with their ex-boyfriends. David really was a good guy, and Gabe’s instinct to punch him just a moment ago, when he thought David was interested in MaKayla, was off the mark. He shook out his hands to relieve the tension.

  Instead of getting all touchy-feely and analyzing David’s love life, Gabe said, “We were set up, blind date.”

  “Oh, well then, I guess that’s that.”

  “She’s got a sister.” Gabe mentally kicked himself. He’d never even met MaKayla’s sister and only knew about her from the profile Pamela sent him after he signed the prenup. She could be married, living with someone, or a single mom with six kids. Sometimes, in his efforts to help people, he could really shove his foot in his mouth—it was a gift he wished he could return.

  “Really?”

  Gabe thought fast. “Yeah, I’ll talk to MaKayla and see if she’d be up for drinks or something. We’ll keep it low-key.”

  “That would be great.”

  Problem solved. He’d talk to MaKayla and find out about her sister. They could come up with some excuse not to set them up together.

  Checking the time, he decided now was as good of time as any to check in on MaKayla’s meeting. Then he would make sure she ate dinner, even if it was just chicken soup, before she started at the hotel.

  Her office door was shut, a fact he was thankful for as it showed that she understood the sensitive nature of the things she was learning. Gabe shook his head as he tapped on the door. He’d only met MaKayla the day before, and she already had access to his bank accounts—well, some of his bank accounts. Pamela had been right: marriage was the answer. There was no way he could have trusted MaKayla so completely if she hadn’t made the commitment of marriage.

  MaKayla called, “Come in,” and Gabe entered to find her and the accountant sitting side-by-side on the couch with his financial sheets laid out on the coffee table. Rob stood up to shake his hand, and MaKayla smiled up at Gabe.

  “Here, let me move to the chair so you two can sit together.” It took Rob a minute to move. He wasn’t exactly a spring chicken, and Gabe could hear his knees creek as he stood up. Rob shuffled a few things around and Gabe sat in his vacated seat.

  He took a moment to look over MaKayla. Her hair was still perfect, hanging long and loose and framing her face. Her eyes were bloodshot and a little puffy, but her color had improved. “You look like you’re feeling a little better.”

  “Thanks to you and the mint tea.” She had the iPad he bought her resting in her lap. He didn’t think he’d seen her without it since he gave it to her, and it made him feel valued that she relied on his gift. He tapped the edge of the iPad with one finger, and when she looked at him, he smiled. She gave him one of her rare, real smiles, and he found a hint of a dimple on her cheek. He wanted to brush it with his thumb, but cleared his throat and turned his attention to Rob instead.

  Rob sat on the edge of his chair and leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. “We just finished the overview of your accounts, the regular donation schedule, and I’ve forecasted the unrequited amounts reserved for additional donations to outside charities.”

  Shuffling the papers before her, MaKayla said, “I’m not exactly sure what it is you want me to do, because it’s set up to run on autopilot.”

  Motioning for Gabe to answer, Rob sat back and rested his ankle on his other knee.

  Gabe turned his shoulders so he could easily look at MaKayla while he talked. He wanted to judge her reaction to his outline, see if she approved and agreed with it. Natasha argued over several points, including how small her expense budget was compared to the money he gave away. She didn’t phrase it like that exactly; she’d just kept asking for more, and when he’d asked where the money should come from, she cited the unrequited moneys. In hindsight, it should have been a huge red flag that they had different values, but in all honesty, he didn’t recognize it until after they’d broken up.

  “I need you to monitor the activities and make sure the checks are sent to the right people for the right amounts each month,” he said. “Rob will bring them to you, and you will check them against the master list and then sign them.”

  She smiled at Rob. “I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

  Rob, who was as old as time and just as wrinkled, answered back, “I assure you, my dear, I’m the lucky one.”

  She laughed and patted his knee. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

  Rob looked especially pleased with himself, and Gabe watched the exchange in awe. He’d worked with Rob for over ten years, and not once had the man’s weathered features cracked more than a small smile at one of his jokes. Yet MaKayla had known him less than an hour and they were already building a friendship.

  They turned their attention back to him, and he blinked a couple of time before he could remember where he was in the orientation. “Signing checks may not take up much time, but the variable account will be your baby. The regular charities count on my donation, but this money is for those that I find, or that come to me with certain requests, that I can help every now and again. Rob, do you have the list of previous recipients?”

  Rob slid a light green paper out from a folder a
nd laid it on the table in front of them. “It’s right here.”

  “These are the charities you’ve given to in the past?” asked MaKayla.

  “Yes. I don’t mind giving to them again, as I’m sure they can use the money. But if you could keep an eye out for those groups that are just starting out, I like to give them a boost in their first few months, try and make it easier on them to get going. And I want to review the donations with you before they’re sent out.”

  “We can go over that in our Monday meetings,” said MaKayla.

  “What Monday meetings?”

  MaKayla’s eyes widened. She glanced quickly at Rob, then applied her beauty queen smile and said, “Our standing dinner date.”

  Gabe closed his eyes. How could he forget? They were supposed to go out to dinner once a week. It was called “date night” in their prenup, but it was really a chance for them to let their guard down and discuss and evaluate their situation outside of the office and away from home. It was supposed to be a time when they could let their hair down, so to speak. They could use the evening however they wanted—stay in and order pizza or go out to a five-star restaurant—but Pamela had insisted they “date” once a week.

  “Of course,” he said. “That would be the perfect time to go over your ideas.”

  MaKayla retained the smile that didn’t hint at a dimple.

  Rob laid another list on top of the first one and said, “Don’t forget the computers.”

  Glancing down at the sheet, Gabe was grateful for Rob’s help in defusing an awkward moment. “Oh, right. We update our tech at least once a year, sometimes more depending on what comes out, and I try to make sure our old stuff, which isn’t really all that old, gets sent to a public school in the area.

  “We can write off the tech just like we do a cash donation, so you need to keep records. The school will usually give you a receipt of some sort, but you’ll need to provide them with the tech’s value. Sheryl in IT can help with that.”

  MaKayla nodded as she typed the information into her iPad. “Anything else?”

  Gabe’s stomach clenched. This was the important one. “As you know, the Thanksgiving run helps support a group that focuses on helping children who have been the victims of abuse. They also help adults who suffered abuse as kids.”

  “The Boys’ and Girls’ Center for Healing,” said MaKayla. “Brooke and I do the run every year. It’s one of our favorites.”

  Gabe nodded. “It’s my number one priority in all of this.” He waved his hands over the stacks of paper. “I started it several years ago, and it’s grown substantially, but not enough. This year’s run is pivotal to expansion. We need every dime we can get.”

  “Got it. I’ll see what I can do to bring in more runners. Maybe we can get a couple corporate sponsors to match donations.”

  “A couple? We could use dozens. I don’t think you understand the importance of what this group does for abused children.”

  MaKayla sat up straighter. “Of course. I’ll do my best.”

  Gabe decided to back off a little. MaKayla’s business aura was an indication that she was on top of things. He relaxed a little knowing that he was learning to read her a bit. He lightened his tone. “I’ve got several leads in that area. I’ll email you the contacts. If you need me to show up and shake hands, beg, or plead, let me know.”

  She nodded once.

  “That brings us to the final issue.” Gabe sighed, not really wanting to talk about her expense fund, but it had to be done. “There’s also a petty cash account here to cover lunch meetings and other expenses that may pop up.”

  Rob jumped in. “We have to keep the charity expenses separate from your business expenses.”

  MaKayla typed away. “Makes sense. I’ll be careful.”

  “Turn your receipts in to Rob, indicate where the money should come from and how much, and he’ll make sure you’re reimbursed.”

  “Right.” She finished typing and looked up. She didn’t ask how much she had to spend, nor did she seem overly concerned. Gabe didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. It was difficult, but he mentally handed the reins over—although his muscles were tensed and ready to snatch them back if needed.

  Rob gathered a few things and patted his front pocket, looking for his glasses. MaKayla giggled and pointed at her head, indicating that his glasses were perched on his bald spot.

  “How’d they get up there?” Rob asked as he pulled them down and settled them in place. Gabe and MaKayla stood to walk Rob to the door.

  “Thank you for coming,” said MaKayla as she held out her hand.

  Rob’s eyes twinkled as he took it, bent at the waist, and kissed her knuckles. “The pleasure was all mine.” He winked at Gabe and then shut the door behind him as he left.

  MaKayla looked like she was in shock. “Well, he’s a bit of an eccentric, isn’t he?”

  Gabe ran his hands through his hair. “Honestly, I would have never pictured him kissing your hand like that.” He eyed MaKayla wearily. Had she flirted with Rob? Did she have a thing for older men? He cringed and hoped not.

  “Then how did you expect him to kiss it?”

  “What?”

  “Well, if you didn’t expect him to kiss my hand like that how did you expect him to kiss it?” Though she spoke in a normal tone, he could see the laughter in her eyes.

  She was laughing at him. Not out loud like she did at Rob, but teasing him nonetheless, and he immediately liked the feelings that blossomed in his chest. Acting on them instead of thinking things through, he picked up her hand and said, “Like this.” Holding her gaze, he pressed his lips to her fingers, then closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her perfume before lowering their hands. He didn’t let go, not yet. There was a fire smoldering just under his skin and he had the strangest feeling that if he held on long enough, it would consume them.

  “Not many men can pull off that grand of a gesture.”

  “Not many women deserve it.”

  MaKayla’s lips parted ever so slightly, and as Gabe was about to trace his thumb over her almost dimple, there was a knock at the door. Shaking his head, Gabe couldn’t break the spell that kept him from answering the knock. MaKayla pulled her hand back and smoothed down her jacket. “Come in,” she called.

  David’s face brightened when he saw Gabe. “Good, you’re here too. I got the info from the restaurant that you asked for MaKayla. Gabe wanted to know what you were doing to his luncheon. I think he’s worried you’re planning a hoedown.”

  Placing one hand on her hip, MaKayla gave him an exasperated look. “Tell me that’s not true.”

  Still reeling from their physical separation, Gabe defended himself as articulately as possible under the circumstances. “It’s not true.”

  She looked at David and hooked her thumb at Gabe. “Is that true?”

  Gabe placed a hand on David’s shoulder and gave him a friendly squeeze. “Think carefully before you answer. If you get me in trouble with my wife, you’ll pay for it.”

  His wife? First he’s kissing her hand and almost kissing more, and now he’s calling her his wife as if she belonged to him. MaKayla had been in the office for half a day and the place was topsy-turvy. David was looking for a girlfriend, Rob was blushing and bowing, and he was acting the part of a jealous husband. It shouldn’t be possible that one woman could cause this much havoc in such a short time.

  David threw one arm around Gabe’s shoulders and said. “This guy is cherry-tree honest. It’s just one of the traits that I admire about him. In fact, he’s my hero. My Superman, if you will.”

  MaKayla pressed her lips together in an attempt to hide her smile.

  David continued. “He rescues kittens from trees, walks old ladies across the street, and changes clothes as fast as a speeding bullet, but I’m sure you know all about that one.”

  “All right, that’s enough.” Gabe shoved David toward the door. “I have to get MaKayla over to the hotel before five-thirty.”
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  MaKayla let out a groan. “I’m going to be late.” She gathered files from her desk and shoved them in her bag.

  David hurried out to call the elevator.

  “We can go over things in the car on the way there,” offered Gabe. There was more to tell about the Boys’ and Girls’ Center, but it wasn’t something he could blurt out in a meeting.

  She flipped her cover shut on her iPad. “Are you riding over with me?”

  “I was planning on driving you.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  She went first through the door and then waited while Gabe crossed to his office, shut down his computer, grabbed his keys out of the top drawer, and locked the door behind him. He felt that gentle push away again—only this time, Gabe knew it wasn’t so much that she didn’t want him around: it was a matter of self-reliance. MaKayla wasn’t used to depending on people. She was the ultimate go-to gal.

  “I don’t mind. I’ve been planning on it. I wanted to make sure you got dinner tonight.”

  Placing her hand on her stomach, MaKayla made a face. “I’m not sure I could eat if I tried.”

  “Here.” Gabe held out a small bottle of regular-strength painkillers. “Time for another dose. There’ll be water in the car,” he said as they met up with David and the elevator doors slid open.

  “You think of everything,” said David, and he winked at MaKayla.

  MaKayla smirked at him and pressed the button for the parking garage.

  “Have a good night you two.” David wiggled his eyebrows as the doors shut.

  MaKayla chuckled. “I don’t know how you’ve put up with him.”

  Gabe shrugged. “He’s pretty good as far as assistants go.”