Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
“Bear?” I whispered, confused suddenly. And not quite sure why.
He blinked like he was coming out of a trance and then gave me his usual playboy grin and wink. “Let’s show it off to Becky and watch her turn purple.”
Relieved, I laughed and tried to tug my hand back.
Baird entwined our fingers together instead. “Need to walk out there looking the part,” he reminded me.
In other words, there was no putting distance between us.
We walked into the upper offices of Pennington’s hand in hand, with Baird practically brushing his side up against mine. He smelled so bloody good. My body tingled in a very specific way, and I cursed inwardly. It had only been five weeks since Will and I broke up, but apparently, I was feeling the dry spell.
“This place is cool,” Baird muttered, glancing around.
The offices were cool because of the Edwardian architecture. High ceilings, marble floors, intricate cornicing, and interesting pillars. Not all but some of the offices still had the original wood paneling on the outer walls with mottled privacy glass above.
“They’re waiting for us in Hilary’s office.” I led him to the other side of the upper floor just before the open-plan offices. Hilary’s door was ajar, and an irritated flush moved through me to find Becky already seated beside Christina.
Hilary leaned her suit-clad bum on the edge of her vintage captain’s pedestal desk. Everyone straightened, eyes widening at the sight of the big, handsome guy clutching tightly to my hand.
Or rather who I was clutching tightly to.
Baird’s hand pulsed around mine as he offered me silent comfort and reassurance.
“Well … what’s this?” Hilary stood from the desk to face us.
“Hilary, Christina … Becky,” I forced myself to be civil and acknowledge her (unwanted) presence. I licked my very dry lips. “I … I broke up with Will a while ago—”
“Because Maia and I fell in love,” Baird cut in, and I knew it was because the trembling in my voice was so apparent. “Not the best situation, but without going into the details, Maia left Will for me.” He held up my hand, flashing the engagement ring. “I’m Baird McMillan, Maia’s actual fiancé.”
My smile trembled. “Just thought you should know.”
My friend cleared his throat as if trying to shove down his laughter at my silly add-on.
“Wait … Baird …” Christina’s eyes widened with delight. “As in your friend, Baird, the Caledonia United goalkeeper?”
“As in her fiancé, the Caledonia United goalkeeper,” Baird corrected.
“Oh my god, this is brilliant.” Christina stood up and came over to embrace me. “Congratulations, darling. This campaign is going to be amazing. I mean, obviously congrats on falling in love and getting engaged—” She spun to face Hilary. “But this campaign is going to be amazing.”
Her reaction was better that I could have hoped for!
We waited tensely for Hilary to decide to disagree or agree.
“I’ll call legal right away to change the contracts. Iain is a huge football fan. He’s going to love it.” Hilary eyed Baird in a very female way that had me unconsciously pushing into his side. “You’re beautiful. You’re going to look so much better in a tux than Will.” She cut me a look. “No offense.”
“I’m getting married in a kilt,” was Baird’s gruff response.
“We planned for a tux, no?” Christina shared a look with Hilary.
Then I dared to speak up, “We do have a collaboration with MacGregors for our Edinburgh store. We offer it in our bridal collection.” I referred to an exceptional Edinburgh kiltmaker who had a small collection in our store.
“That’s right.” Christina considered Baird, her eyes devouring every inch of him. “Actually, I do think he’d look better in a kilt.”
“Kilt it is. I don’t care, as long as we get this contract signed.” Hilary peered at Baird. “There’s nothing in your contract with Caledonia United that would forbid this collaboration, is there?”
Baird squeezed my hand and admitted, “You will need permission from the club.”
What? I tugged on his hand, but Baird held it fast as he continued, “I spoke to my gaffer this morning and relayed the situation to him. He thinks it might be good for my image, so I don’t think you’ll have a problem. He’s expecting you to contact him.”
Hilary nodded briskly. “Fine, fine. I’m sure Iain can make all of that happen with one phone call.”
Christina side-eyed Becky. “Becky thought Maia was here to tell us she wasn’t doing the campaign. Aren’t you glad you were wrong?”
I could only imagine my colleague had been preening at the prospect of me pissing off the Erstwhiles.
Sure enough, Becky looked like she’d sucked on a lemon. “Of course,” she forced out and gave me a false smile. “Congratulations, Maia. How fortuitous for you that you upgraded your fiancé just in time for the campaign.”
Baird stiffened at my side.
Hilary’s expression sharpened and Becky seemed to realize her passive-aggressive comment was spoken in company and not whispered in my ear. She beamed. “It’s such great news for the campaign. I can’t wait to get started.”