Fake Dating, Twin Style by Katie Frey

Author:Katie Frey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-01-23T15:34:20+00:00

* * *

Antone smiled at his team. “We have six minutes left—any of you have any questions?” He continued to smile at his crew in encouragement. “Yes?” He nodded at the redhead that had been scribbling notes furiously over the past hour.

“Er, I’m Leah, and I don’t have a question, just wanted to say thanks for this opportunity.”

Leah? He stared back at the girl, then recognized her as the kid with the dog from in front of the Hartmann office two weeks ago.

“Glad to see you made it out here. Welcome to the team.” He smiled.

“Yes, Ellen?” He nodded toward another woman, in her midfifties. She’d been one of the first hires Rob had made and had been managing the renovation like the captain of a naval ship.

Ellen’s face broke into a smile at being singled out. “All our licenses have arrived and are in order, and I’ve opened accounts with every vendor on your list. I think we’re good to go. But I was thinking, why are we hosting the launch party at the Hartmann ranch? Shouldn’t it be here?”

A gentle murmur of assent flowed through the crowd, and Antone spotted Rob grinning. Had he planted the question?

“Excellent question,” Antone answered, scratching at his chin.

“When I was younger, Coach used to tell me, there are many ways to skin a cat. I try to approach all problems from that perspective, thinking about out-of-the-box ways to find solutions. Sometimes, the court of public opinion can influence large companies. It only takes one mighty foe to put a glitch in the machine. The Hartmanns are connected, and Evie has suggested we follow up the gala with a taste-test on-site, here. This gives us an additional two weeks to plan the media blitz, and a second chance to get in the press.”

The team members nodded, taking notes with a seriousness that he couldn’t help but find encouraging. They were almost ready. “I’ll see you all Thursday.”

The group broke off, with several of the original employees tipping hats in his direction.

His phone vibrated—so much for a little peace.

“Momma Jean,” he answered.

“I hate to call you like this,” his foster mom started. Antone turned and made his way to the glass-walled office behind him, taking in the picture-perfect views of the rolling hills and grazing cattle. He would never get tired of the expansive, rugged beauty of Montana.

“Can I put you on speaker? I’m just finishing up a meeting and I have a dinner engagement.” He smiled at the phone.

“Sure, of course. I won’t take up much of your time. I hate to call with this. It isn’t right, but I was wondering—”

“How much do you need, Momma?” he, said cutting her off. At least he could save her the embarrassment of having to ask. It felt like a small kindness.

“A few hundred? We can add it to my tab,” Jean suggested in a small voice.

Restraining himself, he managed not to laugh, or worse, cry. “Mom, you don’t have a tab. You know I played for the NFL right? I mean, really, I wish you wouldn’t think twice about calling.

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