The Pretend Boyfriend novel Chapter 29

Mr. Rutgard doesn't look up from the case file.

He finally says without meeting her eyes, "It says here you have an extremely good track record."

"She scored 'Exemplary' and 'Above Average' for most of her career," Patty puts in.

Sam flashes her a grateful smile.

Rutgard says, "That may be the case. But we are still fifteen headcounts too many. Profits are being squeezed and the overhead has not been properly managed since this company was established. Basically, we could be making double the profit if we didn't carry so much deadweight."

Indignation rises in Sam. "Hey ... I mean, Mr. Rutgard, sir ... we're not all deadweight around here. I've personally managed to close five of the top twenty accounts over the past three years. Gardiner, O' Connor, Fitzgerald ... "

Rutgard holds up his palm. "Spare me, Ms. Fox. I am well aware of your accomplishments. However, we are embarking upon a new image and mission statement. O' Connor has delayed payment to us several times, and Fitzgerald has a reputation for prejudice against homosexuals in the workplace."

Sam is speechless. "Th-that's not entirely true ... "

But there's some truth to it, she can't deny. Still, their old credo was 'an account is an account'. When did they start bothering about how their clients aired their dirty laundry?

Rutgard finally looks up. His green eyes are light sabers.

"Let's lay all the cards on the table, Ms. Fox. We can only maintain one of you in this position. You ... or Ms. Angleston."

Kathy Angleston? That tramp?

Sam can't believe her ears. She's competing with Kathy Angleston? Since when has Kathy Angleston ever secured an account without spreading her legs? Sam is surprised that Elaine Landry - her previous boss - hadn't fired Kathy while she had the chance. But maybe the Landrys were never too particular about how they got their accounts.

Patty's mouth twitches, suggesting that she finds the idea equally as ludicrous.

Rutgard goes on, "To determine which one of you is more suitable for the role, I've decided to give you both a task."

"A task?" Sam raises her eyebrows.

"Yes. There is one account in this business I've always wanted to land." Rutgard leans back. His chair creaks in protest. "Moody."

"Moody?" Sam crinkles her brow. "But that's impossible. Henry Moody has been with McConnaughey for twenty years!"

As Sam exits the boardroom, she can feel Rutgard's gaze boring a hole in her back. It clearly says: You're gonna be out on your ass in a month.

"He did what?" Brian says, frowning.

They are both seated at a table for two in an ice-cream parlor. The parlor is fairly empty at this time of day. Outside, the sky is pouring cats and dogs, which accounts for no one getting ice-cream pangs today because they are all too busy getting sloshed. By dirty rainwater, that is.

Brian has ordered a raspberry sorbet while Sam digs her long spoon into a double fudge sundae. He watches her fascinatedly as the curved end of the spoon disappears into her mouth. He loves a woman who isn't self-conscious about her eating.

Wait a minute. He used the 'L' word again. He doesn't technically mean it, of course. He likes Sam - a lot. OK, more than a lot. But she's a friend. A fuck buddy. That's all she is.

They have been hanging out for the past six months. And he has enjoyed it. A lot. They go for dinners. They grab lunches together. They catch movies. They go bowling. Dancing. Clubbing. None of what they do can ever be considered a 'real date', of course - even though most of their outings end up in sex. In her new apartment. In his penthouse. In seedy motels. Wherever strikes their fancy.

It has been fun. Especially now that Caleb is in a relationship with Cassie, Sam's best friend, Brian needed someone to hang out with. And who better than the one who is left out in the cold while their respective best friends fuck each other's brains out?

He still maintains his freedom, of course. He does the occasional one night stand. Probably not as often as he used to, because he finds himself planning to do things with Sam rather than with some random woman whom he's never going to see again after he has fucked her. And Sam is free to do whatever she pleases. Of course.