“I apologize. I had no intention of keeping the information from you. There never seemed to be the right moment.” He stood and paced between the two office chairs, his long legs eating up the small space.
“How about when I asked what you did for a living? Never mind. It doesn’t matter now.” She eyed the envelope in his hands. How did she not see it? “I have to tell you, Mr. Valentine, I’m not fond of liars.”
“I didn’t actually lie.”
“A lie by omission is still a lie. Nor am I fond of people who use other people to get what they want, and that’s what you did, or rather tried to do.” She had been down this road before with Ari. Lied to, used, humiliated, all so he could win the hearts of America by coming off as the wounded party. Everyone loves an underdog, and his debut record sales proved it.
Jason winced at her angry response. Good.
“Is there anything else? It’s Friday, and I’d really like to get out of here at a decent hour.” She picked up the top sheet of paper, pretending to study it as she fought back the tears.
“About the rec center, I think you’ll find Valentine Rehab is the best choice for your needs. Dave, Brody, and I have worked on this for weeks, making sure it’s the lowest we could go and still earn a living.” He handed over the bid. He looked down, nodded toward the bouquet. “Those are for you. They’re not a bribe, just part of the apology.”
Her gaze dropped to the folder he sat on her desk. Every muscle froze as she silently stared at it.
“Thank you. We’ll be in touch.”
He turned on his heel and headed for the door. As he left she heard him murmur that he’d never listen to Fubar again and something about fries.
She heard the outside door, indicating Jason had left and she could breathe. Cherry stared at the proposal he’d dropped on her desk. If she didn’t have morals she’d drop it in the trash. Even so, the temptation to dump the bid was strong. It’d serve him right after the little stunt he’d pulled.
She shoved the bid aside and went back to the rental agreements she’d been working on before Tawny’s call. She had enough tasks on her schedule to keep her busy today without adding unneeded stress. Between processing rent checks, applications, and today’s committee meeting, she’d be lucky to get out of work at a decent hour.
“Why couldn’t he have been up front?” Cherry muttered under her breath as she threw down the paper she was trying to concentrate on. She should have known last night was too good to be true. Picking up the folder he’d set on her desk, she flipped it open. She should have seen it coming, and to be honest, she was just as mad at herself for falling for the ruse. Replaying the dinner conversation in her head, she recalled his constant redirection when she brought up his personal life or work. Skills. He had them in spades. She’d give him credit—he’d had her.
Just her luck. Another player, simply a different game.
Then again, who was she to throw stones?
The bell on the front door jingled, followed by the familiar click-clack of heels and the scent of tropical fruit. She didn’t bother to get up. Instead, she studied the numbers on the proposal.
“You’re early,” Cherry said.
“Hey, chica. How’d you know it was me? You didn’t even look up.” Tawny dropped her purse on the floor before helping herself to stale coffee.
“I smelled pineapple, oranges, and coconut. Glad you like the new lotion I got you.”
Tawny plunked down in the chair. “Love it. Okay, you need to dish about last night before the rest of the committee gets here. I want all the deets on your date.”
Keep wanting. She didn’t feel like talking. Especially after his big reveal this morning. “Hmm.” Cherry kept reading, eyes transfixed on the numbers, flipping pages back and forth, heart soaring one minute, then sinking the next. His proposal beat the others by far. Could she work with him after the little stunt he’d pulled? Stay professional and not let her personal feelings, her past get in the way? Yet how could she not recommend someone who met their financial needs? And how could she recommend someone who couldn’t be up front and honest?
Tawny rose and circled the desk, reading over her shoulder. “What have you got?”
The next thing Cherry knew, the proposal was swiped out from under her nose and Tawny walked away with it. “Who’s this from? This is half of what RIB quoted.”
“Jason Valentine.”
The paper lowered to Tawny’s side as she came to a complete stop, mouth in the form of a small “oh.” Nodding, Cherry compressed her lips into a tight seal, all the better to keep the dirty words from flowing.
“Did he give this to you last night?”
“This morning, right after he apologized for going out under false pretenses.”
“Son of a bi . . .” Tawny let the word drift off, her fist balled, ready to pound on something, or someone.
This was exactly one of the reasons Tawny was her best friend, she totally got how Cherry felt without a single word being uttered. “Not the issue,” Cherry said.
Tawny started to argue, but Cherry walked over, took the proposal, and pointed to the bottom line.
“This is the point, it’s all that really matters. Personal dignity is overrated. We all sell ourselves at some point or another, and at least this time the sacrifice is worth the reward. Think of the rec center, rebuilt, open for summer session and the kids playing.” Cherry shook her head looking at the numbers. “Think of all those kids having a place to go while their parents are at work, instead of being home alone. Think of all those hungry bellies being fed.”
Together they went through the entire proposal, double-checking every item and making sure nothing had been missed, so that when they reached the end of the project they wouldn’t find any surprises waiting for them. His bid was organized, logical, and meticulous. He’d listed his suppliers, subcontractors, and a good number of references without being asked. RIB had supplied none of those items, surmising their name alone was enough of a reference.
“What do you think?” Cherry asked.
“I think a lot of hungry kids won’t be so hungry this summer if we go with Valentine. Not to mention the center would keep them out of trouble by giving them a place to go. And it will create jobs and workforce training in a neighborhood desperately in need.”
Rolling her neck to release the tension, Cherry leaned back against her desk. “I agree. When we’re done we’ll be able to offer everything we wished had been available to us.”
“I really have to wonder why he didn’t turn this in before the auction or your date. This is the best proposal we’ve received, as long as his references check out.” Tawny must have seen something on Cherry’s face or posture, because in seconds her eyes thinned, hands went on hips, and she got that protective mother hen look. “What?”
“I didn’t really give him a chance to spin a story. What was the point? He withheld this information and used me for personal gain. Sound familiar?”
“Oh, honey. I’m sorry.” Tawny reached out and gave her a quick hug.
“The worst part is I fell for it. I really thought there was chemistry there.”
The front doorbell jingled, warning of the rest of their committee’s arrival. Cherry pulled the last page out and handed the rest to Tawny as she gathered up her belongings. “Do me a favor? Get everyone set up in the conference room. Go ahead and share their proposal and I’ll join you in a couple of minutes. I’m going to make some calls on our new friend.”
“You’re a better person than I am, Cherry, because I’d want to string his family jewels around his neck for playing me a fool.” Tawny walked out, leading the others down the hall.
A better person? No, not by a long shot, but you couldn’t hide under your covers with a tub of cookie dough forever. Sometimes you had to stand and face life’s ugly truths head-on. And sometimes, it was a matter of the pot understanding the kettle.
Not that either of them were right in what they did. At least Jason didn’
t hurt anyone except her. Then again, the only person she’d really hurt with her lie ended up being herself.
This was business, and she needed to push her wounded pride aside. Granted, the whole date thing? Not how she would have played it. Then again, since when did men and women think the same way? Jason saw a chance to get in her good graces and took it. Again, not the wisest move, in her opinion, but she’d cut him some slack, as he was a guy and she’d learned the hard way that sometimes they had limited thinking skills.
“Well, you don’t have to like a person to work with them. They just have to be the right person for the job,” Cherry said to no one as she picked up the phone.
A half hour later she walked into the conference room, decision made. Sitting around the table, bickering, were the other members. Well, to be fair, not all of them were arguing. Holly Kimball, a forty-something teacher who volunteered her time at the center, sat at one end of the table, reading through a stack of proposals. Locked in heated debate with Tawny were Stan Nowak, self-appointed chair of their committee, and his lapdog, Rosalie Gomolka. Stan’s cheeks were flushed bright red and he shoved his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose, glaring at Cherry.
“About time you joined us.”
Sweet, malleable Rosalie patted the back of his hand and whispered for him to watch his blood pressure. Apparently being an insurance agent was stressful, or maybe it was going head-to-head with Tawny. He’d been appointed to the committee as he handled the center’s insurance. Rosalie was a few years younger than Stan, worked as a medical receptionist, and coordinated with local doctors to volunteer hours giving free checkups and such. She clearly had a crush on the man. Cherry and Tawny got involved when Tawny’s boss brought the closing of the center to her attention. Tawny’s company loved community projects. For Cherry, it was more personal. She’d spent countless hours with the counselor at the center after her parents disappeared.
Stan frequently butted heads with Tawny and Cherry. Rosalie did whatever Stan wanted. Holly was quieter; she didn’t participate in their heated debates. When she did speak up, it was always with the voice of reason and patience.
“I was finishing up a few things to help us make our decision, Stan.” Dismissing him, she turned to the women. “Holly, Rosalie, good to see you—”
“Well, we’re done here, as far as the rest of us are concerned. We all got a copy of RIB’s proposal in the mail yesterday. The others are not qualified. If you and Tawny would cast your vote for RIB, we can conclude this meeting and get some lunch before we have to get back to work.” Stan puffed out his chest, glaring at her, daring her to contradict him.
Challenge accepted.
“I don’t feel RIB is the best choice for our project.” Cherry held up one finger, silencing the petulant man. “While they have been around the longest and do have a reputation for excellent work, they also have the highest proposed cost. Did you review the proposal from Jason Valentine?”
Across the table her question was met with lowered eyebrows, flared nostrils, and Stan clasping his white-knuckled hands in front of him. Rosalie continuously looked down while playing with her earrings, and Holly waited, as usual.
“Completely unacceptable choice. We know nothing about him or his company. He could be a scam artist waiting to walk off with our check the minute we cut it. I move to award the contract to RIB,” Stan said.
“You didn’t even look at the proposal, Stan,” Tawny said.
Rosalie timidly held her hand out, momentarily leaving her earring alone. Her face was scrunched up in concentration. “Sss . . .” Dropping her gaze, she went back to playing with her earring and staring at the table.
Rising when it became obvious Rosalie had no intention of continuing, Cherry passed out copies of the reference list to the other four members before resuming her seat. A quick rundown of his credit check showed Jason to be anything but a scammer. And if that wasn’t enough, his professional reference from his last job was excellent. “I also spoke with Jason’s last employer, a Pastor Edward Perky at the First Methodist Church over on Rosedale. According to the good pastor, we might want to nab Mr. Valentine before he’s nominated for sainthood, which should take place any day now.”
“Thank you—” Holly began.
Stan cut her off without even a glance. “One reference is not enough. Where is he from? What college did he graduate from? We simply do not have time to wait for you to do your job properly, which should have been done before this meeting. We need to make a decision on whom to award the contract to or else the work will not be done in time for the summer session. I move that we award the job to RIB. Do I hear a second?”
“Stan, you can’t force us to vote before we’re ready or before all of the members have had a chance to review the proposals in full. That’s unethical.” It took every ounce of Cherry’s willpower to keep her voice calm and collected. Holly wouldn’t vote until everyone else did, and Cherry was prepared to withhold her vote until the second Tuesday of never if that was how long it took to present all the reasons why RIB wasn’t the builder for them.
“You want Valentine because he’s your boyfriend,” Stan sneered.
“What?”
“Please, don’t try to deny it. You went out with him last night.”
“Stan, he won the date at the gala auction. You were there,” Cherry sputtered in shock. What was it with this man?
Again Rosalie’s hand ventured out in front of her, sort of halfway being holding her hand up and a wave. Not sure if the woman was trying to break into the conversation, Cherry made eye contact, yet Rosalie held her tongue.
“Wait just a moment.” Tawny’s words made the scared rabbit’s hand shoot down toward her side. “Today was the deadline to submit, not for us to vote.” Tawny neatly stacked the papers in front of her, taking her time. “However, since you’re in such a hurry, Stan, I have no problem taking the word of a pastor. I move to award the contract to Valentine Rehab Services. Do I hear a second?”
Three sets of eyes bored into Cherry’s forehead as everyone waited for her to speak, to stand behind her friend, which she would do, but she had hoped to win the others over with simple facts. What was she thinking?
“Seconded,” said an unexpected voice.
All heads turned to the end of the table, to Holly, who sat tall, shoulders straight, with a serene look upon her face.
“Which one?” Stan asked.
“I second awarding the contract to Valentine Rehab Services.”
Cherry grinned. Wow, didn’t see that coming. Way to go, Holly. Clearly it would be a three-to-two split. However, that was all they needed, and Stan would have to learn to deal with the decision.
“All in favor of awarding the contract to Valentine Rehab?” Tawny asked.
One by one, three ayes were voiced until all eyes were on Cherry.
“Aye,” Cherry said.
Stan jumped up from his chair, knocking it over backward. “I’m very disappointed in you, Rosalie. I expected better judgment from you. And you, Holly.” He tsked. “You can cry it from the mountain and tell the world you selected Valentine because of his proposal, but I know the truth.” He glared at Cherry. “You’re everything your ex-fiancé said to the media. I quit.”
The man stormed out of the conference room, not a sound uttered until the bell over the front door jangled hard enough to make Cherry wonder if he’d cracked the glass. She sat gathering her thoughts, trying to figure out exactly what Stan meant by his last comment. Ari had made a lot of claims about her and their relationship in his many interviews, so it was hard to believe that she could really be everything he said. Unless she had multiple personalities, which he, of course, claimed as well.
What had she been thinking when she volunteered for the committee? Life was simpler before, just her, her dog Tucker, and a package of Pillsbury cookie dough, neither of which judged.
Clearing her throat a few times, Rosalie waited to speak until all eyes were on her. “I’d like
to apologize for Stan. However, I doubt it’d do any good. He’s a stubborn old goat and I’m pretty sure he promised his friend the contract no matter what.”
“I thought you were in favor of RIB,” Holly said. “You were going to second his nomination, you told me so.”
“Initially, yes. However, facts are facts, and they were twice as much as Valentine’s proposal. Being in business longer doesn’t always mean you’re better, sometimes it simply means you’re older and outdated and a bit stuck in your ways. Sometimes we need to take a chance on the new and unknown,” Rosalie said.
Holly brightened. “If it makes you feel better, Rosalie, I know Pastor Perky and First Methodist is my church. I’ve seen the work Mr. Valentine is capable of, and he’s exceptional. I move we table any further discussion until we have a replacement for Stan.”
Cherry said, “Tawny, can you check with your boss and see if we have to have five on the committee? Until then, we’ll go with Holly’s suggestion. Sound good?” All agreed and Holly and Rosalie showed themselves out while Tawny helped clean up.
Cherry didn’t look forward to the coming months of working and seeing Jason on a regular basis, but this was strictly business, not pleasure. Because the last thing she needed was another man who was only interested in what she could do to advance his career.
Chapter Six
Cherry paced back and forth in front of the gray-and-white Victorian dragging her dog Tucker along with her, not sure if she was trying to talk herself into or out of what she had to do. Had she lost her flipping mind? Sure, she had voted to award the contract to Valentine Rehab, but that didn’t mean she had to be the one to hand-deliver the center keys and the contract to him. So why did she volunteer? Clearly, she’d lost her flipping mind. That or she was dying to find out what crow tasted like, because the more she thought about his apology, and dinner, the more she’d realized she overreacted a teensy tiny bit. Played the reality-star diva role and Ice Queen all rolled into one.
Bachelorette for Sale Page 7