Page 103 of Getting Down to Business

“If you have any issues, please let us know. It’s a sizable account.”

“Thank you for this opportunity.”

“Everyone sees big things for you.”

She nodded and left his office, anger and excitement battling for top emotion.

She smiled at everyone on her way to Grayson’s office, and then went in and shut the door behind her.

He looked up, a smile breaking over his face as he leaned back in his chair.

“Hey. How did it go?”

“You never told me you were the financial manager on the Pinecrest account.” It came out as an accusation as she moved closer.

The smile fell from his face and he sat up in his chair.

“I am?” He looked confused as he hands moved over the keyboard in front of him.

“Yes. You are. Is this why I was given the account? Are you helping me? I don’t want your help.”

“I have thirty-seven accounts, Liss. I don’t remember seeing Pinecrest.”

He sat back in his chair and nodded at the screen.

“I have them under Leedom Enterprises. There are four businesses under them. Pinecrest is one. I didn’t realize it.”

“We talked about them being part of Leedom when I was working on my presentation. It didn’t ring any bells?”

“You’re accusing me of getting you a promotion? Even if I could do that, wouldn’t it be a good thing?” he asked.

“I’ve just been given all the accounts for Leedom. I wanted to get ahead on my own merits not because some guy is trying to get me into his bed.”

“You are already in my bed, so that motivation hardly makes sense.” He swallowed and stopped talking when she leveled him with her look of fury.

“I don’t need your help. Why do you insist on trying to fix my life? I’m not one of your projects.”

“I don’t see you as a project. I see you as a friend. Ask Doug or Trent. I will do anything I can to help my friends. But I didn’t get you this promotion. I swear. You’re going to have to trust me.”

She glared and he nodded.

“Right. You don’t do that.” He sighed and stood to come closer.

The adrenaline from her rage had abandoned her.

“While you might not believe me, I really didn’t know. I’m happy for you.”

He was trying to cheer her up. She shouldn’t have been so angry in the first place. Maybe he wasn’t lying. Maybe he really hadn’t remembered the Pinecrest name on the account. It seemed reasonable.

He let out a breath and let his hands fall down to his side.

“I honestly didn’t realize it was my account. But had I known, I would have suggested you because you’re qualified.”

“I want to get it—”

“On your own merits. I know. But I know your merits too. And if I had suggested you—which I didn’t—it would have been because of said merits at work and not because of any other merits I might be privy to.”

“Fine. I’m sorry I overreacted.” Why couldn’t she just be normal?