A Perfect Strategy

by Anna Sugden

  “In principle, you’re right,” Scott acknowledged. “However, let me give you an example of where that can fall down. Imagine Joe Schmoe, a plumber and a big Ice Cats fan, has been doing work for us for years. For major jobs, he follows the route you laid out. However, for small repairs, he receives payment in kind—a pair of season tickets and an advert in every program.”

  Sapphie’s lips tightened with disapproval, but she nodded for him to continue.

  “Some years, he’ll make out like a bandit. Other years, he’ll lose out. Either way, he’s happy and a loyal supporter of the Cats. Take away his tickets and advert, then make him invoice every job, and while he might technically be better off, you’ve ticked him off big-time. Is it worth fiscal tightness for that?”

  “He has a point.” Marty looked to Sapphie for her riposte. Naming a figure that was equal to the salary of a top forward like J.B. Larocque, her counter was as sharp as a well-placed one-timer. “That’s how much money was lost because of payment in kind. Not to Joe Schmoe and his service-providing pals, nor to charities, foundations and good causes like supporting our troops or celebrating a local hero, but to businesses in the area for nothing more than ‘goodwill.’” She emphasized her words with air quotes as she gave Darren a pointed look. “Imagine what the organization could have done with those funds.”

  Scott couldn’t argue. “So one size doesn’t fit all.”

  “No, but one starts with best practice and works from there.”

  Scott opened his mouth to reply, but Marty tapped the barrel of his Montblanc pen against a water glass. “We’ve come a long way today and everyone needs a break.”

  The room was silent, waiting for him to announce the next step.

  “There are points of value from both proposals. You have shown examples of where compromise, creativity and the spirit, rather than the letter, of a rule can provide enormous benefits. And where rigor, structure and proper process can, too.” Marty’s smile encompassed the two groups.

  “I’m sure, with more time, a comprehensive plan that will benefit from the best of both worlds can be created. But the season starts in a little over a month and I don’t want to go into it with unnecessary uncertainty. Therefore, a plan must be in place before the puck drops on opening night.”

  Suddenly, Scott knew where the owner was going. His stomach tightened as his gaze snapped up to meet Sapphie’s. The dawning realization and a touch of dread showed in her eyes.

  “I want both sides to work together and come to an agreement that incorporates the best of each proposal,” Marty said. “Sapphie and Scott, you’ll spearhead this project and come back in four weeks with a recommendation that you are happy to put your names to.” He fixed them with his steely gaze. “Any problems?”

  What could Scott say?

  Nothing short of death would be an acceptable excuse for saying no. For sure not the fear that Scott would lose the progress he and Sapphie had made personally. Marty wouldn’t care that his demands were a game changer.

  Less than a day to go before he was to have been more than a business associate to Sapphie and now Scott’s plans were going up in smoke. What would the next month do to his chances with Sapphie?

  He looked at her. Despite her carefully schooled expression, challenge glittered in her eyes. That told him all he needed to know. An already-bumpy road had turned into a potholed four-wheel-drive-only track.

  None of that mattered as far as his owner and his boss were concerned.

  “Cracked it,” Callum murmured. “You can rock this.”

  Hoping his smile didn’t look as grim as it felt, he said, “No problems from my side.”

  The ball was firmly in Sapphie’s court.

  * * *

  YEARS OF PRACTICE with unpredictable clients—Marty was definitely top of the list—helped Sapphie keep her expression neutral. Okay, so she bit her tongue to stop a “Hell yes, I have a problem” from escaping.

  This was not how these negotiations were meant to go.

  She’d had it all planned. Her time with the Ice Cats would end today. She’d been looking forward to putting business aside and seeing where the weekend took her and Scotty. True, she’d anticipated a late-night finish—this type of proposal presentation always ran over. She’d even assumed she’d have to return for a follow-up at some point because of the complexity of the situation. Not to mention the strong opposing proposals.

  But four more weeks? Working with Scotty. That definitely hadn’t been in the plan.

  She wasn’t happy about this. She didn’t want the lines blurred between them and this threatened to do exactly that. She didn’t want to wait a month.

  “Sapphie?” Marty interrupted her thoughts, looking at her expectantly, though he knew there was no way she’d refuse.

  One of the issues with being on retainer for Marty was that she had to stay on her toes, ready to duck and dive as needed. The rewards were worth it—Sapphie’s future was secure thanks to him. Still, she knew better than to give in too easily. He occasionally needed reminding that she had other clients and that he shouldn’t take her for granted.

  Sapphie pulled up her calendar on her phone and studied it for a few moments before answering. “I’ll have to rearrange some things in my schedule, as I was due to finish up here today. I definitely need to be in Chicago for the beginning of next week, but I should be able to return late Wednesday.”

  “Your deadline is set in stone, so how you organize your time is up to you.” Marty smiled, acknowledging her game. “I know you’ll deliver, so I’m not worried.”

  “Then we’re good.”

  After that the meeting ended and the room emptied fairly quickly. Sapphie lingered to have a private word with Marty. Not to try to change his mind—that would never happen—but to get a better feel for what he wanted to see from the revised recommendation.

  “Interesting meeting,” she said.

  Marty chuckled. “Scotty Matthews is the same in the boardroom as he was on the ice. Quietly goes about his business until someone steps out of line. Then, boom!” He smacked his fist into his palm. “I think he and Hardshaw make a good team.”

  Scotty had impressed her, too. He clearly suited a role behind the scenes better than one in front of a camera. Although she’d disagreed with his position and felt some of his suggestions were naive, he’d performed better than most of her rookie consultants. In other circumstances, she’d have offered him a job. High praise, given she recruited only the best.

  “I agree,” she said. “They’ll certainly keep you hopping.”

  “You know I prefer a challenge. That’s why I changed the GM of my basketball team. I couldn’t stand having a guy who rolled over every time I spoke up.”

  “Worse, he flip-flopped anytime anyone disagreed with him. Remember his panicked expression when you and I argued about the arena sponsor. He didn’t know which side to support.” She sighed. “The weird thing is he’d been a leader in the locker room. But in the boardroom, he crumbled at the first sign of conflict.”

  “Goes to show that you can’t tell how these guys will work out. It’s a crapshoot. Like you and me, they have to have it in here—” he patted his stomach “—and in here—” he thumped his fist against his chest “—as well as plenty up here.” He tapped his fingers against his forehead.

  “You make it sound like a bad dose of the flu,” she teased.

  “So, can you get along with our former captain?” Marty’s dark eyes had a knowing look.

  The man always saw more than she’d wanted him to. He was one of the most perceptive men she’d ever worked with. And not only on the business side. But as avuncular as he appeared, Sapphie wasn’t comfortable letting him see her vulnerability.

  “Shouldn’t be a problem. There will be some things he’ll have to compromise on and others I�
��ll have to back down on. But it will all benefit the Ice Cats.”

  “Good, because I sensed an underlying tension.” Though it was a statement, his tone made it sound like a question.

  “We both feel strongly about our respective positions and care deeply for this team.”

  Marty gave her a searching look. For a moment, she thought he might probe further, but he let it go. “Glad to hear it. I like passionate, committed people working for me. Nothing gets in the way of your drive to succeed.”

  She knew he meant it as a compliment, but Sapphie couldn’t help the sharp sting of pique. Strange, as she’d always prided herself on that determination. After what she’d gone through as a child, she never wanted to be dependent on anyone else for her well-being or her success.

  Still, Marty’s words bothered her. It sounded like there was nothing in her life but work. That nothing else mattered.

  Isn’t that the truth?

  Sapphie ignored the voice inside. She saw friends, went out with men, had a good time. She was happy. This was probably disappointment that a project she’d thought was in the bag turned out not to be.

  And that her chance to enjoy a personal relationship with Scotty had been delayed for at least a month. Drinks, dinner, dating...not going to happen.

  Marty patted her on the shoulder. “I know my decision has thrown a wrench in your schedule, but I need this fixed ASAP.”

  “Of course. I’ll make it work.”

  “I know you will. Now I’d better head out. Gloria is hosting a fund-raiser tomorrow and will doubtless have a honey-do list as long as your arm.” His smile was indulgent. “Do you want my plane to make a stop in Chicago on our way?”

  She had to deal with Scotty first. “Thanks, but I have some things to sort out before I leave. I’ll ask my assistant to get me tickets for tomorrow morning.”

  As it happened, there was nothing available until noon the following day. Not ideal, but at least she didn’t have to rush around like a lunatic. She could still make her evening plans with Scotty, but it was probably wiser to cancel them.

  Sapphie was packing up her briefcase when she heard a knock on the door. Looking up, she saw Scotty leaning against the doorjamb. His expression was hard to read.

  “Sorry, I can’t make dinner tonight,” she said brightly. “I decided to head to Chicago early. I need to catch up with my people first thing Monday morning. That way I’ll be ready to return midweek and we can get cracking on—” She paused. “See, babbling again.”

  His smile was strained at the edges. “I’d hoped you could at least stay until Sunday so we could have dinner tonight and maybe do something tomorrow.”

  She stopped in midaction sliding her laptop into her case, ridiculously tempted to stay. Just a little longer.

  No. “That wouldn’t be smart. We’ll be working together closely for the next month and anything...social...would only confuse things.”

  He straightened. “We’ve been through this. We both know where the line is and how to avoid crossing it.”

  “But that doesn’t mean we won’t want to cross it,” she said softly. “Far better to wait. It’s only four weeks, and then we’ll be free to do whatever we want, without having to worry about muddying the professional water.”

  “So you don’t want to have drinks together anymore?”

  Drinks led to dinner, which led to walks in the moonlight and...

  Again, no. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I don’t think we should. Look, the sooner we get all those issues hammered out and a proposal ready for Marty, the sooner we can enjoy ourselves.”

  “Yeah, that’s a great incentive.” He made it sound like the complete opposite.

  If she was truthful, she felt the same way. “I’m sorry, but I think it’s for the best.”

  “I don’t.” He scrubbed his hand over his face.

  The rasp caused by his five-o’clock shadow made Sapphie want to run her fingers over his jaw.

  He continued, “And I don’t see how anything’s changed. We managed fine these past few weeks.”

  “But we hardly saw each other. Now we’ll be constantly together. Negotiating terms and pulling together a workable plan. Then getting everyone to buy in.”

  “How does that affect us going out together? I’m perfectly capable of sitting in the same room as you all day and not giving in to my baser instincts. Nothing will happen that you don’t want. Your body is safe from me.”

  She was just as capable of withstanding the attraction. Although she didn’t find it quite as easy to deny that she wanted him. “We both know the game changed during that walk at Grey’s. Lovely as that kiss was, it can’t happen again. At least, not while we’re working together,” she amended.

  “Why not? It was just a kiss. Not a marriage proposal.”

  She pushed aside her irritation at his easy dismissal of the heat that had flared between them. “Thank goodness, because the answer would definitely be no.”

  “Trust me, I’m not desperate to get hitched again so soon either,” he retorted. Unfortunately, his defensive tone gave away more than his words.

  “The point is that I will never want to be tied down.” She massaged her temples, where she could feel a headache brewing. “We’ve been over this. What if we date and I want out before the end of the month? That’ll make things awkward for us finishing our work.”

  “I’m sure we can be adult about it.” Scotty sighed. “We agreed on the rules of engagement the other night. If we both know where we stand, what’s the harm?”

  He made it sound so simple. Ordinarily, it would be. Hell, ordinarily, she’d be the one reassuring the guy that she wouldn’t be clingy if things went south.

  With Scotty, it was different. He made her feel things no one else had ever made her feel. And when it came to rules, he made her think not about bending them but about breaking them.

  That couldn’t happen. She lifted her chin. “I don’t want to hurt you. We may last longer than a month. We may not. For however long we’re together, I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful time. But at some point, it will end.”

  “I get that. I don’t need you to handle me with kid gloves.”

  Still, the insecurities of her childhood came flooding back. Ruthlessly, she forced them into the dark recesses of her mind while acknowledging that this man had the ability to make her vulnerable to all of that. This was why she had those rules. She couldn’t...wouldn’t...go through it again.

  And yet she couldn’t deny that he could also make her very happy. That weekend... Definitely not helpful for those memories to surface.

  Scotty walked toward her. He came close enough to touch her but didn’t. “Okay, what if we go forward as we have been for the next month, on the understanding that if you want to walk away, I won’t try to stop you.”

  Why couldn’t she be as single-minded about this, about them, as she was about business decisions? “You can opt out at any time, too.”

  “Of course.” He tilted his head in acknowledgment.

  Suddenly, she was tired of fighting him. Why deny herself what she wanted? “All right, you win.”

  “Let’s seal that deal.” He stuck out a hand.

  She shook it, enjoying the warmth of his palm against hers. And that familiar, delicious tingle that danced up her arm.

  Scotty’s winning smile said he felt it, too. “So now that we’ve agreed on terms, will you have dinner with me?”

  Sapphie wanted to, but she needed time to regroup. For once, she managed to restrain the urge to babble. “I’d love to, but I have things to do before my flight tomorrow morning.”

  Scotty didn’t argue. “What time’s your flight? I’ll take you to the airport. I’ll even throw in breakfast.”

  “That would be lovely. Thank you.” She told h
im when she had to be at the terminal.

  “Thank you for giving us this next month.” Scotty brushed his fingers over her hair. He hesitated, as if debating whether or not to kiss her.

  Sapphie held her breath—wanting him to and not wanting him to in equal measure. Well, not quite equal. Her lips parted in anticipation.

  He kissed the tip of her nose, then stepped back. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

  After he’d gone, she remained where she was, staring into space. She’d made the right decision. She’d gotten everything she’d wanted out of the negotiation. So why was she nervous? And why did she have a feeling that the next month would define her future, in more ways than one? For better or worse. Her stomach twisted at the phrase. Her gaze dropped to the deliberately naked third finger of her left hand.

  No matter how long they lasted, that was one outcome there was absolutely no chance she would allow. She’d walk away first. The problem was she knew at some point that’s exactly what she’d have to do.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “MOM DRANK THE grocery money again.”

  Sapphie should have known when her younger sister’s name appeared on the caller ID that the Saturday-morning phone call from North Carolina would be bad news. She phoned Emerald every Sunday evening, so anything that varied from the routine was definitely trouble.

  She sank onto her suitcase and looked at the clear blue sky, trying to draw strength from the beautiful morning for the conversation ahead. Having been cooped up in the Cats’ office building for too long this week, Sapphie had decided to wait for Scotty outside her condo. With impeccable timing, the never-ending drama that was her family reared its ugly head.

  “Has Mom spent it all?” Sapphie asked wearily, knowing the answer already.

  Emerald blew her nose. “I found a twenty-dollar bill stashed in her underwear drawer, but the rest is gone. I locked away the one unopened bottle of Jim Beam she had left. Thank the Lord I paid the bills day before yesterday, or we’d be in real trouble.”