Scott took the letter, jaw clenched.
“See you around.” The man’s voice trailed off as he headed back to his truck.
“First name basis with the FedEx guy?” Rae teased, more because she wasn’t sure what else to do than because the situation called for it. “You really do make it a point to know everyone.”
Scott blinked and shook his head. “Something like that. I need to get back to my office.” His voice was quiet, gaze never leaving the envelope as he flipped it over and over in his hands.
“Yeah.” She didn't think he heard her. She had no idea what was in the letter, or if he even knew, but whatever it was drowned out any remaining catch-up time tonight. She shuffled back to the parking garage, the random invitation and the anti-climactic potential to end a grudge she’d carried too long, replaying in her head. Weirdest start ever to a vacation.
Chapter Two
Zach leaned back against his desk, palms resting on the mahogany behind him, fingers drumming on the lip. All things considered, he’d rather wade through an awkward conversation with Rae than face his company’s mortality. It hadn’t even been a decade since he and Scott founded Cord.
Rae was a big name these days. The woman companies called when they needed to recoup their losses without drastic means like bankruptcy or tax evasion. It made sense she’d hold herself taller. Look more mature and polished. Still, he wasn’t complaining about the white top she’d worn, fabric just sheer enough to know she had a turquoise bra underneath.
“You’re not listening, are you?” Scott’s question cut through the drifting thoughts.
Zach forced his attention back to his best friend and business partner. Even if he hadn’t heard everything Scott said, he’d be able to guess. The conversation hadn’t changed much since they lost Cord in the hostile takeover ten months ago.
Scott nodded at something behind Zach “It’s always good to see her again.”
It had been. Nicer than he expected. Fantasy sideswiped Zach’s thoughts and slid in to take their place. The same images that taunted him the moment she stepped into the war room. Rae’s teasing laughter growing heavy as he backed her against the wall, her gasp as he peeled off her thin top. Okay, that needed to stop. “I guess. You’d know better than me.”
Scott raised an eyebrow. “Right.” He looked at the piece of paper in front of him. “This changes everything, you know.”
The rapid change of subject didn’t faze Zach. They were talking about the letter again. He exhaled slowly. “I know.” It didn’t really. The only thing that changed was now a looming certainty was in writing. That made it feel more real, though. It was a formal copy of the offer Digital Media was making to buy Zach and Scott out of their Cord company shares. They’d known it was coming for a while now. New management rarely wanted to keep the old guys around in any capacity, let alone a leadership role.
Scott hopped from his seat, and paced the length of the office. “So what do we do?”
The specifics had varied over the past few months, but the meaning of the conversation never changed. Neither of them wanted to accept they didn’t have any options, and until now, Zach had no desire to point it out.
He hated the entire situation—he put as much time into building Cord as Scott had—but maybe it was time to accept reality. “Call our favorite headhunters and see if anyone else is hiring executives?”
“This isn’t a joke.” Scott’s flat tone matched his expression.
Zach knew what was coming next. Or at least, he had a list to pick from. Each of them had their own favorite methods of denial, and he’d narrowed down the most likely option for Scott this evening. This would probably be the negotiation argument. Couldn’t they just stay on long enough to launch their current game? DM would have to let them stay after that if they did a great job. They just had to prove they could play nice with their new owner. Like trained dogs on a leash.
Scott stopped and faced him, dark eyes narrowed.
Or maybe it would be the Can we just pretend we never saw this? argument. That one was always amusing.
“Is this what you wanted?” Scott asked.
Zach choked on a canned response. This was new. “Excuse me?”
Scott shoved his hands in his pockets. “This isn’t just our lifeblood; it’s our dream. It’s being ripped away, and you’re making jokes about talking to recruiters.”
In most situations Zach would temper his answer. Business meetings: he’d filter his thoughts. Dinner with colleagues: he’d tone down his response. These days with Scott, he didn’t have to watch his words.
Zach crossed his arms. “It was a fucking hostile takeover. It sucks. What do you want me to do?”