The Love Game

by Regina Hart

  “That’s because it’s real life, Van.” Tyler’s tone was dry. “There are consequences.”

  “I understand you don’t want to start a personal relationship while you’re working together.” Donovan leaned into his desk toward Tyler. “But what about once the launch is over?”

  “She probably won’t be interested.”

  “Why not?”

  Tyler hesitated. “Because I told her our company isn’t a dating service.”

  Donovan closed his eyes briefly. “Tell me you didn’t really say that.”

  “I wish I could.”

  Donovan sank back onto his chair. “Good Lord, Ty, you really don’t know how to speak with women, do you?”

  “Do you have a more helpful response?” Tyler’s shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath.

  “You need to work on your people skills.”

  “That’s not much better.” Tyler’s gaze moved restlessly around his friend’s office.

  A stack of CDs stood on a shelf above Donovan’s desk. It shared space with vacation photos and an older group shot taken after their college commencement ceremony. Donovan, Xavier and Tyler were lined up in their caps and gowns, flexing their biceps for the camera. On the desk beside his computer was a large framed photograph of a young Donovan with his mother.

  “Ty, once in a while, you need to step away from your computer, and talk with real people.” Donovan’s advice reclaimed Tyler’s attention.

  “That’s what everyone keeps telling me.” Tyler sighed again.

  “You should listen to us.”

  “What do I do in the meantime?” Discussing his concern with Iris had seemed like a good idea at the time. But judging by Iris’s and Donovan’s reactions, it had been the dumbest decision ever. How did he fix it?

  “Start with an apology, then pray for the best.” Donovan’s tone implied Tyler didn’t have a snowball’s chance of coming out of this situation unscathed.

  Tyler winced. The initial encounter already had cost him a couple of layers of skin. He rose from the chair. “I’ll get started.” But what should he pray for first? Forgiveness for the stupid remarks he’d made or a speedy and successful product launch so he could stop fighting the attraction he’d had since he first saw Iris?

  * * *

  Tyler considered the closed and cautious expressions of the Anderson Adventures associates sitting stiffly in the lounge Wednesday morning. At least one representative from each of the company’s five departments was present for the focus group: human resources, information technology, sales, product development and finance.

  The room held a couple of gray sofas, matching armchairs, Maplewood coffee tables, laminate dining tables, a refrigerator and microwaves. Tyler chose a seat on one of the square gray armchairs behind a coffee table. He only half listened as Iris explained the purpose of the meeting. Judging by their body language, this morning promised to be an even worse experience than Monday’s executive meeting. Tyler frowned again at the memory of his father second-guessing him.

  A digital recorder sat on the coffee table, ready to document the session—if anyone spoke. He returned his attention to Iris, who stood about an arm’s length from him on his left. She’d been cool toward him since the executive meeting Monday. He wasn’t sure but he had a feeling she was still upset that he’d wrongfully accused her of flirting with Donovan. He knew now he’d been an idiot. How could he fix this?

  “We want your candid input on this internal launch.” She gestured toward him. “So just ignore Ty.”

  “That’s hard to do.” Ted Silvestri from the information technology department slid a blue-eyed glance toward Tyler before dropping his attention to the floor. “He’s scowling at us.”

  Tyler met Iris’s gaze, surprised. “Sorry.”

  Iris’s concern morphed into humor. “Let’s focus on the task at hand, shall we?” She turned back to their audience. “The internal product launch of ‘Osiris’s Journey’ is first and foremost a celebration of you, and recognition of your contributions.”

  “Excuse me, Iris?” Sherry raised her hand. “I don’t mean to sound as though I’m not a team player but I don’t understand how the launch impacts me. I’m an administrative assistant. How did I contribute?”

  “What contributions are you talking about?” Jarnett Smucker, director of human resources, asked. Behind large glasses, her small gray eyes were fixed on Iris. Her bright red hair sizzled from a bun on top of her head. “HR didn’t work on the game. The launch is only about production and sales.”

  Tyler studied the fifteen employees in front of him. Did I hear them correctly? “You’re wrong.” He rose from his seat, trying to work through his confusion. “Sherry, you schedule all our development meetings and verify the outside vendor invoices. Isn’t that contributing to the product?”

  Sherry’s bright blue eyes widened. “I guess it is.”

  “You saved me a lot of time and trouble.” Tyler rolled up the sleeves of his cream knit shirt. He approached Ren Komura from the purchasing department. The middle-aged man sat beside Sherry on one of the navy sofas. “Ren, you found the best distribution services at the best price for ‘Osiris’s Journey.’”

  “That’s right.” Ren swept his straight raven hair back from his wide forehead. His dark eyes were cautious as they met Tyler’s gaze. “I contacted several vendors to get a good bid.”

  “And we appreciate your efforts.” Tyler looked to Jarnett. “HR is responsible for finding the best people for every position in our company. That’s just one of your contributions to all of our games.”

  “Well, yes, that’s true.” Jarnett adjusted her glasses.

  Tyler stepped back, shoving his hands into the front pockets of his navy blue slacks. He made eye contact with the associates as he spoke. “I’ve worked beside most of you in every department of this company as I learned Anderson Adventures’ operation. That’s how I know that everyone contributes to the success of our products.”

  The silence was heavy as he returned to his chair. What were they thinking? Had his words even made a difference?

  “Thank you for clarifying everyone’s contributions, Ty.” Iris’s coffee eyes were warm with approval.

  “Do those contributions include finance?” Lola Ray, an accountant, shifted on her chair. A blush warmed her brown skin.

  “Just keep approving my budget requests.” Tyler smiled.

  Lola turned to Iris. “In that case, at the internal launch, I’d like a meal, preferably a buffet, with dessert.”

  Laughter filled the room and the atmosphere shifted. This was a new experience. He was connecting with the associates. Tension dissipated, his and theirs. Excitement and enthusiasm replaced it.

  “Forget the food.” Ted interjected. “A live band.”

  “We need to be sensitive to the budget,” Lola cautioned. “We don’t want this to be the company’s one and only celebration for the year.”

  “Can we bring our families?” Ren directed his question to Tyler.

  “I’m afraid not.” Would his response dampen the enthusiasm? “For security reasons, this internal launch has to be associates only.”

  Everyone nodded their understanding except Jarnett. She crossed her arms. “Well, my husband will be very disappointed.”

  “You can bring him back a piece of cake.” Sherry’s tone was sincere, though her response elicited laughter. Tyler breathed easier.

  Jarnett cut Sherry a glance. “It’s not the same as attending the event.”

  Ted raised his hand. “A DJ?”

  “Some form of music. Duly noted.” The smile Iris offered Ted was almost as warm and bright as the one she’d given Donovan two days ago.

  Tyler gritted his teeth. Iris smiled at everyone but him.

  The Anderson Adventures ass
ociates continued to offer suggestions: off-site location with easy parking; demo of the computer game; half workday; buffet lunch; minimal, if any, executive presentations. A little more than an hour later, the meeting ended on a high note.

  After her closing comments, Iris gestured toward Tyler. “Is there anything you’d like to add?”

  “Thanks for your time and input.” To Tyler, the words weren’t enough to convey his appreciation but the associates seemed satisfied. He exhaled. He’d survived his first associates meeting, though, technically, Iris had run the show. They made a good team.

  “Thank you, Ty.” Iris’s nod indicated her approval. She turned back to the group. “If you have any other suggestions, please contact me. My email address is on the handout. Thanks for your time. Have a great day.”

  Muffled conversations faded away as the associates returned to their offices. The sense of excitement followed them from the lounge.

  Tyler stood as Iris turned off the audio recorder and gathered her belongs. “Can I help?”

  “I’ve got it.” She didn’t look at him. Was she still stewing over his comment about Donovan?

  “How do you think the meeting went?”

  “It went well.” Iris led him from the room. “More importantly, what do you think?”

  “It was better than I’d expected.” Tyler walked beside her. “Did you get the information you need?”

  “I did.” She looked up at him. “You did a good job, using your personal experience to explain everyone’s role in product development. I was impressed.”

  “It was nothing.” Am I blushing?

  “Without your intervention, the meeting would’ve ended before it even began.”

  I’m definitely blushing.

  Tyler had never blushed before in his life. First, he’d made a fool of himself over her smiling at Donovan. Now he was blushing like a schoolgirl.

  What is she doing to me?

  “Glad to help.” Tyler stepped aside to let her take the staircase first. Her fragrance touched him as she walked by. Tyler’s gaze strayed to her long well-shaped legs as they climbed from the second floor to the fifth-floor executive offices.

  Iris’s voice broke his trance. “I’ll incorporate their wish list into our plans.”

  “How many of those things will fit into our budget?”

  “All of them.” She tossed him a look over her shoulder, part mischief and all confidence.

  Tyler stilled on the staircase. That look squeezed his heart and caused his pulse to speed up.

  He caught up with Iris at the top of the staircase. “We need to keep the event on-site. We can’t risk having information about the computer game leak before our official launch.”

  Iris stopped close enough for Tyler to catch another intoxicating breath of her fragrance. “Hosting the event off-site would make it seem more special.”

  “It’s too risky.” Tyler reached past her to open the main door to the executive offices.

  “All right.” She sounded disappointed by his decision. “I should have the estimate to you by a week from Friday.” Iris turned toward the reception area and smiled. “Hi, Sherry. Thanks again for organizing the focus group and for participating in it.”

  “It was fun.” Sherry turned to Tyler. “I hadn’t realized you’d worked in every department in the company. That’s impressive.”

  “Told you,” Iris whispered before disappearing down the hall. Did her teasing remark mean she’d forgiven him for the accusation he’d made Monday?

  Tyler’s gaze moved over her glossy sable hair floating just above her narrow shoulders to her slender hips swinging hypnotically beneath her A-line red skirt. Her matching red stilettos were silent on the silver-and-black carpet but his pulse beat with every step she took.

  “Is there anything I can do for you, Ty?” The knowing look in Sherry’s bright blue eyes caused his cheeks to heat again.

  “No, but thanks, Sherry.” Tyler walked away.

  He needed to pull himself together. If other people noticed his attraction to his marketing consultant, he was in trouble.

  Back in his office, Tyler dropped onto his black leather executive chair and logged on to his computer. He stared blankly at his screen.

  Two days ago, he’d given Iris a pompous lecture about pursuing romantic entanglements at Anderson Adventures. Maybe he should have delivered his speech to the mirror instead.

  * * *

  “May I come in?” Hours later, Foster stood in the threshold of Tyler’s office.

  Despite having been hard at work for the past four hours, his father still looked crisp in his white shirt, gold tie and dark gray pants. He carried his matching suit jacket in the crook of his arm.

  Tyler checked his wristwatch. It was after noon. He’d lost almost three hours since the morning’s focus group meeting. How had that happened?

  “Of course.” He locked his computer screen, then swiveled his seat to face his father on the other side of his desk.

  “I’d expected you to come to my office after your meeting this morning.” Foster settled his jacket on the back of one of the visitor’s chairs. He lowered himself onto the other.

  “I thought I was handling this project myself.” Tyler searched Foster’s eyes. Why was his father checking up on him?

  “You are. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep me apprised.” Foster propped his elbows on the chair’s arms and linked his fingers together. “How did it go?”

  “It went well.” Tyler settled back on his chair, forcing himself to relax. “We got a lot of good participation.”

  “You can give me details.” Foster’s faint smile teased him. “I’m on the list of associates who are cleared to receive such sensitive information.”

  “I’m sorry.” Tyler grinned at his father’s words. “I’m not used to talking about my projects in such depth.”

  “That’s one of the things we’re trying to change.”

  Tyler folded his hands on his desk and collected his thoughts. “It seems Iris was right. Everyone was excited about the internal launch.”

  “I heard they weren’t at first.”

  Tyler stilled. Foster’s response could mean only one thing. “Did Iris brief you on the meeting?”

  “She answered a few questions—after I asked her.” Foster cocked his head. “Did you think she was here to spy on you?”

  “I don’t understand why you spoke with her first.”

  “I wouldn’t have had to seek her out if you’d given me an update. I’m still in charge, Ty.”

  “Understood, sir.”

  “Iris isn’t spying on you or undermining your leadership. In fact, according to her, you saved the meeting. She was quite impressed with you.”

  That annoying heat inched up his neck again. The thought of Iris praising him made him feel like a rock star. Was he ridiculous to react that way? “I’m glad everything worked out.”

  “I thought you didn’t want to discuss the meeting with me because it had gone badly.”

  The truth was Tyler hadn’t given a thought to briefing his father. He’d been too distracted by Iris and the cold shoulder she’d given him all day. He wasn’t going to admit that, though. Ever.

  “No, the meeting went well. Of course, everyone had a different opinion.”

  “Such as?”

  “Some people want the launch during the day. Others want it after work. Some want breakfast, others want lunch. We heard requests for an off-site location. A few want it here. Someone asked whether family members could attend—”

  “We can’t invite anyone from outside of the company. There’s too much risk of a leak, intentionally or not.”

  “I agree. That’s why I told Iris to keep the launch on-site.”

  Foster
looked confused. “Why?”

  Tyler frowned. “To prevent information about the game getting out before our external launch.”

  “We’re not going to discuss product specifications in detail. The event is about having fun.”

  “But we’re going to discuss game features.”

  “I don’t want the internal launch to happen here.” Foster’s tone was firm. “We’ll include a nondisclosure agreement in the venue contract.”

  Tyler searched his father’s aquiline features. Foster was second-guessing him. Again. “I thought you wanted me to lead the launch.”

  “I do.”

  “And I don’t think we should take it off-site. It’s too risky.”

  “We agreed this launch would be extraordinary.” Foster spread his hands. “The lounge, which is the only space in this building large enough for a company meeting, is not extraordinary.”

  Tyler swallowed a sigh. “All right. I’ll ask Iris to get an estimate for holding the event offsite.”

  “Remember, we wouldn’t have the successes we’ve had without our associates. Ordinary isn’t good enough.” Foster pushed himself from the chair. “I’d better get moving. I’m meeting Kayla for lunch.”

  “Give her my love.”

  “I will.” Foster turned toward the door.

  This was the second time his father had second-guessed a decision he’d made. First, Foster had voted against his idea of keeping the product launches simple. Now he wanted to hold the internal launch off-site even though an outside venue made them more vulnerable to information leaks. How many more times were they going to butt heads?

  But, on a positive note, Iris had given him a good review when she’d discussed the focus-group meeting with Foster. Tyler’s tension eased slightly. Her praise probably had given him bonus points with his father. It also showed that even when she was annoyed with him, she’d still treat him fairly.

  Chapter 6

  “And then he said, ‘I want to be clear that you’re here for the product launch—and that’s all.’” Iris deepened her voice to imitate Tyler. Their confrontation had taken place two days earlier but she was still fuming over his accusation.