The Scheme

This seemed so cliché, me getting the man of my dreams by using another guy. Still, I’d seen it work before. “Of course we have to keep things platonic, but you’ll have to pretend to like me.”

He reached over and surprised me by ru

“I do like you. You taste sweet.” He winked. And I swallowed. Hard.

This platonic thing may be more difficult than I had pla

SIX

BRIAN

Rubbing the back of my neck, I tilted my head side to side, trying to release the tension from a long week at work. I rested my elbows against the table as I steepled my fingers against my lips and glared at the computer screen in front of me, analyzing the write-up that I had spent the whole week pondering over. I ducked closer, squinting, hoping the numbers would change.

Sensing his presence behind me, I turned and lifted an eyebrow at Co

Nosy ass.

“Did I tell you?” His grin was cocky, the kind that made me want to fire back with an ‘I don’t care’.

I could almost predict what he was going to tell me. “No, what?” I said with fake enthusiasm. That’s how I had to play in the game of sales. My face said ‘Sure, buddy, what’s going on?’ while my head was screaming, ‘I don’t give a shit!’

“I landed the Rosedell deal.” He sat at the edge of my desk, crossing his ankles like he was staying for a while.

I straightened in my seat, throwing him a congratulatory smile. “Good job, bro.” I forced gusto in my voice, just for his benefit. I didn’t care what deals he landed. I didn’t care what he was currently working on. Why he was so concerned with what I was doing, I had no idea.

He sighed happily. “That’ll make one new deal and two expansions of current clients. And all in this quarter. I’m sure I’ll be on management’s radar for that promotion. Perfect timing with Joe’s retirement and that vacated spot.”

My muscles tensed.

Over my dead body.

Work brought out my competitive nature. I never deemed myself a competitive guy, but now that I was thinking of it, when I was younger, I had always excelled when it came to sports and academics, consistently topping my previous quarter grades or motivating my football team to make the championships.

I nodded in fake approval. Maybe if I remained mute, he’d get the hint and move the hell on.

“Yeah, man. I’m crushing my goals.” He pushed his glasses farther up his face.

I’d had enough of Cocky Co

I wanted to yell, ‘Show a little modesty, dude’. I didn’t go around letting everyone know when I had landed new deals in my portfolio. I didn’t broadcast every little accomplishment.

My manager’s voice had me raising my head again. “My two favorite boys.” Jason stepped into my cubicle with a file folder in his hand. “Good job on Rosedell, Co

Co

Jason smiled, but it didn’t meet his eyes. It was one of the many gestures which gave me tiny hints that Jason didn’t like Co

Jason was a no-bullshit kind of guy. He worked hard and had climbed to the top by pure determination. We had one quality in common, which was one needed to excel in sales—Jason and I were good people readers. We knew when to speak and when to shut our trap, and we knew exactly what to say to reel clients in and close the deal.

Co

Jason pushed the file folder into Co

With a slight nudge, Co

“And Co

Co

“Don’t forget our eight a.m. call on Monday.”

“I’ll be there,” he said a little too cheerfully.

With a slight shake of his head, Jason chuckled. “That’s Co

“Pretty good. I’m typing up the proposal and getting ready for my spiel next week in front of their CEO. I’ve got this in my back pocket.”

He slapped my shoulder, his eyes filling with pride. “I don’t doubt it, son.” He sat at the edge of my desk, crossing his arms against his chest. “You remind me of myself twenty years ago. You’ll make it far here, Brian. You’re good at your job and, above all else, you work hard.” He stood and straightened his pant leg, turning to walk away. “Don’t stay past five tonight. Remember, work is work. It’ll be here next week.”

I smiled up at him. He knew I was a bit of a workaholic. And I would’ve stayed all night if I hadn’t already promised I’d meet Kendy at Central Park. The tenseness in my shoulders eased up as I thought of our meeting later that evening. My curiosity spiked as I wondered what she had pla

***

KENDY

After tidying up my apartment all day, I was ecstatic to get outside and enjoy my walk to Central Park. I spotted Brian on a bench at the corner of 5th Avenue and 85th. As I’d expected, he was punctual and exactly where I’d told him to meet me. I smiled big as the warm breeze brushed against my face, the warmth of summer soaking into my skin.

When he spotted me, the corner of his mouth lifted, as though I’d amused him in some way. He was business casual, in a button down and slacks, looking professional and boyishly cute all at once.

In a chipper mood, I plopped down next to him as the warm summer sunlight beat down on my face, forming little beads of sweat on my forehead. I pulled my tube top a little lower, as I didn’t want any tan lines while I let the sunlight wash over me.

“Hiya,” I said as I opened a bag of chips. “No suit or tie?”

“No client calls today, plus Fridays are usually our laid back days at the office,” he said smoothly, eyeing me as I chomped away. “Are you going for a run or something?” He eyed my short workout shorts and gym shoes.

I looked at him like he was crazy. “Kendy does not run unless she is being chased by a wild animal.” I pulled at my tube top. “And run in this? My boobs would be bouncing everywhere.”

A flash of humor crossed his face. “I’d like to see that.”

“You and the rest of the males at Central Park. Chip?” I pushed the small bag in his direction, chewing animatedly.

He squinted against the sun and shook his head.

“More for me.” I shrugged. My bag was dwindling down to crumbs anyway.

I had come here on a mission, not to shoot the shit, so I angled toward him, getting down to business. “Okie dokie, so let’s talk about this deal.”

He was still smirking at me, and I had no idea why.

“What’s so fu

“You.” He gri

“So I narrowed down my proposition, and you’re going to love, love, love this one.” I laughed, because he was still smiling at me. I guess he must’ve been in a good mood, too. “So, as you already know, I’ve been secretly stalking Dr. Klein.” I popped a half chip in my mouth. “And so far I’m having a little difficulty.” I scrunched my nose, because, seriously, I had no idea why I was having a tough time with this guy. They must be built different here in New York.