LISA
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Jennie was quite the firecracker. She was evidently the only woman alive immune to my charms—right, I'm into girls. I was completely intrigued with her. Typically, I dated girls who flaunted their beauty. And Jennie, even though she didn't flaunt it whatsoever, was indeed beautiful.
Her brown cat-like eyes flared with fire whenever she spoke. The words coming out of her mouth might have been frosty, but the light behind her eyes made me believe there was an intensity that she tried hard to suppress.
Her glasses just made her look adorable. And her messy bun on top of her head completed the sexy librarian look. The baggy college sweatshirt she was wearing could hardly hide her curves. My eyes appreciated the swell of her ass through her jeans as she left the bar arm in arm with Rosé. She looked like the type who could be a freak beneath the sheets. And dammit, I wanted to find out if it was true.
Heading out to my car that was parked in front of the bar, I pulled out my cell to call Jackson.
"What the hell, man?" I asked once he answered.
He just grunted into the phone. The whole thing with Niki really made him a bear to be around. She was a cheater in more ways than one. I wouldn't be the only one sighing in relief when their divorce was finalized. It didn't stop me from harassing him though.
"You seriously just got up and left in the middle of our conversation. What kind of douche leaves two hot ladies so he can go home and sleep? Come on, man. That was just lame. I can see you and Rosé have the hots for each other. I'd hit that if I were you," I teased, laughing, trying to get a rise out of him.
"You aren't me," he growled into the phone.
Testy.
I guessed that he must like Rosé because if that wasn't his way of staking his claim, I didn't know what else it could be.
"Whatever, dude. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget. The new guy, Brayden Greene, starts tomorrow. It would be nice if you could get to work on time. And try to be nicer to Rosé tomorrow. I hate it when you make my assistants cry."
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When Rosé walked in, I smiled at her. My eyes darted to her legs because her skirt was so damn short. I grinned at her, knowing that my brother was going to have a fit. She was trying to drive him crazy with that outfit and it was definitely going to work.
Jackson looked like he wanted to pounce on her, but when the new guy jumped up to hug her and held on a little too long, I thought Jackson was going to kill him.
The poor girl looked like she was going to die under Jackson's intense gaze, so I patted her knee for comfort when she sat beside me. The rest of the meeting went on without any more issues.
After everyone went their separate ways, I sat in my office thinking about Jennie again. She was so damn enigmatic and it drove me nuts. I thought she'd acted like she might have a mutual attraction for me, but she'd quickly hid it away. If only I could figure out a way to get the main sponsor dumped. Then she'd have to see me.
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Late that afternoon, I thought I would see if Rosé could use her pull as Jennie's best friend to help me out. Trying to seem nonchalant, I stepped out of my office and strode over to her desk.
"Rosé, I need a favor. The firm is really needing some good publicity. The museum where your friend Jennie works is having a gala event soon. They've already pinned down their sponsors, but I want Manoban Enterprises to be the main sponsor. I don't care how much it costs and how much persuading it takes, but please make it happen," I authoritatively instructed. She nodded in agreement so I turned on my heels and made my way back to my desk.
After a brief search on the computer, I brought up the website to see just who my competition was going to be for the gala sponsorship. I laughed out loud when I realized that the main sponsor was a good buddy of mine. Picking up the phone, I gave him a call.
"Tae, how are things in the financial world?" I asked when he answered.
"Lisa! Things are great. What about you and Jackson? How is everything going lately? Have you determined any more about those shady business deals?" he asked.
Taehyung had been a good friend to us during those hard days after my dad passed away. He'd looked over all of the financials with us and made some suggestions so that we could remain on the right track. I trusted him with my life.
Now that the shit had hit the fan with this one particular business deal Dad had made, Tae was helping us determine our options. We'd just had a meeting last Saturday to iron out some plans.
"Things are great, man. Listen, I need a really huge favor. It's going to sound crazy, but I've done crazier shit in my life." He laughed because, being a frat bro, he knew most of that crazy shit I'd done.
"Go on, man. What is it?"
"I just discovered that Sutton Investments is the main sponsor for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual gala."
"And?" he questioned, unsure where I was going with this.
"I need you to pull out. There's this girl," I began, and he burst out laughing on the other line.
"You do realize the sponsorship is for half a million dollars?"
"Yes, and I even plan to make a donation to sweeten the deal. I want this girl—bad. She won't give me the time of day. If I step in as main sponsor, she'll have no excuse not to see me."
Tae was laughing hysterically on the other line again, but he finally grew quiet.
"Listen, Lisa. I know your financial situation. Do you really think it's a good idea to pour your excess cash flow into something like this for a woman?"
"Tae Tae, we'll just take the money from my trust, not the company. I won't jeopardize Manoban Enterprises like that. But I really want this. I'll owe you big time. Name your price, man."
He silently contemplated his decision.
"Okay, I'll call Stan right now and pull out, but under one condition," he said, going in for the kill.
"I said name your price, dude. Anything. No joke."
"I get your Super Bowl tickets this year."
Shit.
"Done. This is why you're one of my best friends."
Hanging up the phone, I smiled. Jennie was by far the most work I'd ever put forth to pursue a woman. For some reason, I knew she'd be worth it.
When Rosé burst into my office a couple of hours later, I knew that Tae had pulled through and he was going to have fun at the Super Bowl this year.
"Jennie just texted me saying that their main sponsor pulled out for the gala. Here's her business card. Call her and set it up. I bet she'll be happy to find a quick replacement," she gushed, excitedly thrusting Jennie's card at me. Rosé was on Team Lisa.
I picked up the phone, dialing Jennie's number as Rosé left.
"Jennie Kim speaking," she huffed into the phone. Oh, she was pissed all right.
"Jennie, hi…it's me, Lisa Manoban. I hear your main sponsor pulled out. Manoban Enterprises would love to take their place as main sponsor."
She was quiet for a moment before she popped her gum loudly into the phone.
"There's a list of people who are before you who have first right of refusal to the sponsorship. I'll let you know."
She hung up on me and I laughed. That girl was going to make me fucking chase her and I was going to enjoy every minute of it.
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