Steal My Heart (Bachelors & Bridesmaids) Read online

  "I thought you might have changed your mind and gone home," she said.

  "Not a chance. I just needed to sit someplace where the furniture didn't talk to me."

  "Good point." She sat down next to him on the bench and let out a breath. "So that's done."

  "Should I ask how it went?"

  "I think it went well," she said carefully.

  He smiled. "Christa gave me more than that."

  "Really? What did Christa say?"

  "That Charlie was a big flirt and she thought he'd enjoy working with her. She was dressed to seduce, so he had some interesting scenery to look at."

  "Using sex to win seems kind of cheap."

  "It might work."

  "I don't think so."

  "You think you pulled it off, don't you?" he asked, seeing the gleam in her eyes.

  "I honestly don't know."

  "You seem remarkably serene about it all."

  "Well, it's out of my hands now, and—"

  "And you had an epiphany. That's what you said before. Are you going to tell me what it was?"

  She smiled. "I want to tell you about it, but the sun is already setting. Look at the sky. It's purple, pink and orange all at the same time. I think we'll have a better view from the top of the Ferris wheel. And you promised me a ride."

  There was definitely something different about Liz, but she was clearly not going to talk until she was ready.

  As they walked across the park, he impulsively took Liz's hand in his, and he was happy when she didn't pull away, even happier when she gave him a smile that made his heart beat faster.

  The line for the Ferris wheel was short, and within minutes they were entering their own private gondola, ready to take them on a twenty-minute ride on one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world.

  "This ride doesn't bother you?" Michael asked as they sat on opposites sides of the Gondola.

  "It goes really slow, and I'm comfortable having all the glass around me."

  "Good to hear. So tell me what's going on with you, Liz. You're different, and I want to know why."

  She gave him a happy smile. "It's unusual for you not to be able to read my mind. I think I like being mysterious."

  "Come on, you're killing me here."

  "Fine. I realized yesterday when I was going over all the suggestions from my bosses that there was no way I could win the Playworld account and make them happy at the same time. What they wanted wasn't what Charlie wanted."

  "But you just said that you gave Charlie a great presentation."

  "I did, but in doing so I had to go against what my partners asked me to present. Which means they're not going to be happy that I included points that they asked me to take out."

  "They'll be happy if you win. Money can buy a lot of forgiveness."

  "Maybe. I didn't really have a choice. They wouldn't listen to me when I told them what kind of campaign Charlie was looking for. And I knew I couldn't waste Charlie's time or my own by presenting what they came up with. So I had to make a decision."

  "Which was what?"

  "To shoot the moon. I put in everything I thought would make a great campaign. I held nothing back. I even included some of my sketches."

  His stomach began to feel a little sick, because it was very clear that Liz had probably outdone herself and given Charlie far beyond what he and Erica had come up with. The truth was Liz had more experience than anyone at Erica's very young company. And she'd learned from her dad, who'd been one of the best.

  "Michael?"

  He looked into her eyes, realizing he'd drifted off. "Sorry, I was just thinking that you probably won this."

  Her gaze turned more somber. "I don't know. I just focused on giving Charlie the best of what I knew. It wasn't about beating you, Michael."

  "Hey, you don't have to explain anything. I fully expected you to bring your best game. I would have been disappointed if you hadn't. If I'm going to get beat, I want it to be by the best, and I think that might be you, Liz."

  "We'll find out tomorrow. I told Charlie when I was leaving that no matter what he decided, I was really happy he allowed me to spend time in his park and make the pitch, because the last few days have been life-changing. I rediscovered my dreams, my desire to draw and create. I found myself again. And to be honest it wasn't just this park that did that; it was you, too." She paused and gave him a somewhat tender smile that made his heart flip over in his chest. "You made me remember the girl I used to be, and even though there were things about that girl I didn't like, there were a lot of other things I did like. I used to be independent, Michael. I prided myself on not being a follower. But that's what I became when I followed my dad into his company and then I had to follow everyone else after he left. That's why I couldn't give Charlie the presentation that my company wanted me to do. It was time to take a stand."

  "Good for you. I kind of wish you'd had your epiphany tomorrow, but…"

  She laughed. "You haven't lost yet. I can remember a lot of times when I thought you were going down only to see your name pop up in the win column. So I'm not going to count on anything until we hear from Charlie." She paused, giving him a more serious look. "Will you hate me if I win?"

  "Will you hate me?" he countered.

  "In high school, I used to try to hate you; it never really worked. Somehow, I doubt this time would be any different."

  "Even though the stakes are higher? This win is for your dad as much as it's for you, if not more."

  "That's true. But if you win, then you deserve it."

  "I feel the same way," he said, but he couldn't help wondering if she'd really have that calm reaction in the end. Right now, she probably thought she had it wrapped up and losing wasn't going to be an issue.

  Liz let out a sigh and looked around. "It is beautiful up here."

  He followed her gaze as their gondola crested the top peak of the wheel. The amazing colors of the sky painted a bright picture that continued to change as the sun sunk lower in the sky and the moon began to rise. He could see for miles, and he'd always been one to be inspired by a view, by the possibilities.

  But he found himself looking away from the landscape and back at the woman who was inspiring him in a lot of other ways.

  He got up and sat down next to her.

  She grabbed on to the rail with a nervous smile. "Uh, isn't this going to throw us off balance?"

  He laughed. "No, but this might." He touched her mouth with his, tenderly at first, wanting to savor her soft lips, her sweet taste, but a rush of desire sent the kiss into overdrive and he was happy when Liz parted her lips and invited him inside. She was sexy and sweet, cool and fiery all at the same time. She was the girl who'd always tempted him to want more, to be better, to think bigger. Their battles had driven him to achieve more than he ever would have achieved on his own. And it was because of her.

  His Lizzie.

  He kissed her until their gondola came around for a stop, and then he asked the attendant if they could take another spin. The young woman laughed and said, "Why not?"

  "You're crazy," Liz said as they began another ascent.

  "You weren't ready to get off this ride, were you?"

  She looked back at him. "No, I wasn't. In fact, I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to get off this ride with you, Michael."

  His heart jumped again. "I've been wondering the same thing."

  Chapter Fifteen

  Liz arrived at Playworld's executive offices at noon on Friday. Charlie had called first thing in the morning announcing he was ready to make a decision. Michael was already in the lobby when she walked in. He smiled and walked across the room to give her a hug.

  "Hey," he said. "I guess it's the moment of truth."

  "I guess so."

  She nodded, feeling revved up for a lot of different reasons. After she and Michael had finally gotten off the Ferris wheel the night before, they'd gotten dinner together. They'd talked about nothing important, either instinctively or del
iberately staying away from touchy subjects like family and career.

  After dinner, they'd made out a little by her car and then parted ways to drive back to the city. For some reason neither one of them had pushed to keep the evening going, even though things were going incredibly well. But she wanted the competition to be over before they got even closer. Despite the fact that they'd both said they could take the loss, who knew how either of them would feel when it actually happened?

  "Where's Christa or Ed?" she asked.

  "Haven't seen them. Maybe this means we're the final two."

  "It would seem appropriate if it came down to the two of us."

  He gazed back at her as if he wanted to say something, but then decided against it.

  "What?" she prodded.

  "Nothing. Let's get this over with."

  He seemed tense for a man who was usually cool and confident.

  "You're nervous," she said.

  "And you're not?"

  "Oh, no, my stomach is definitely doing somersaults."

  "I feel the same way. If this was just about me…"

  "I know. It's harder to lose when the loss affects someone else."

  The receptionist interrupted their conversation. "You can go down the hall. Mr. Hayward is ready for you."

  She had to fight the urge to take Michael's hand. They weren't together in this, she reminded herself. They were two opponents about to find out who would be the victor.

  Charlie stood up as they entered his office. He gave them both a welcoming smile and waved them into the two chairs in front of his desk.

  "Miss Palmer, Mr. Stanford, you both delivered excellent presentations yesterday."

  Liz drew in a breath, wishing he didn't feel the need to bother with compliments. She just wanted him to get on with it.

  "I called you here together, because I wanted you both to hear my thought process. Your firms each have strengths and weaknesses," Charlie continued. "And quite honestly, while I thought I had made a decision this morning, that changed about fifteen minutes ago. Neither one of you made this an easy choice. First of all, I'd like to say that the other two agencies were eliminated yesterday. Neither one understood or gave me what I was looking for."

  Charlie directed his gaze to Michael. "You have celebrity connections that no one else has. But celebrities only get me so far, and your firm is young and not as experienced. Still, I liked your campaign and thought it showed great promise. You understand what I want for this park, which is very much like a child to me. That sounds ridiculous, but it's how I feel."

  Charlie then turned his gaze to Liz. "You presented what appeared to me to be almost two disparate campaigns. You blended them together as skillfully as you could, but there was a disconnect in there, and I couldn't help wondering why. It puzzled me most of the night, in fact."

  She could tell him why but she didn't want to get into office politics.

  Sitting back in his chair, Charlie rubbed his jaw, his gaze still on Liz. "Fifteen minutes ago, I got a call from one of the new partners in your firm, Brian Hargrove."

  Now, she felt sick. What the hell had Brian been thinking?

  "Mr. Hargrove said he wanted to make sure that I understood how much your agency wanted my business and that if I wasn't comfortable with anything in your presentation, they would be happy to change it. In fact, he would be happy to meet with me personally. He told me that your father is ill and that in dealing with his health issues, you may not have as much time to commit to my account as you wish."

  "Mr. Hayward, I assure you—"

  He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Let me finish. It became quite clear to me during our conversation that your firm does not want you to run my account, Miss Palmer."

  How could she argue with that? Still, she had to try. "When I commit to a job, I go all in. I don't quit, and I don't allow distractions to get in the way of my job. My father's health is an ongoing issue, but I'm not his primary caregiver, and he's better at the moment."

  "I have no doubt that you would try to do your best for me," Charlie said. "But I don't think your firm will let you do your best for me. Judging by the conversation with Mr. Hargrove, I suspect I will find my company embroiled in your agency politics, which is not what I need or desire. Therefore, I've decided to award the account to Mr. Stafford's firm."

  She swallowed hard as a multitude of emotions ran through her. She'd lost to Michael—again!

  She'd really thought she'd had it this time. Her proposal was better than his, but Brian Hargrove had stepped in, shot his mouth off and blown everything.

  "Congratulations, Michael," she said, forcing the word out.

  Michael gave her a concerned look. "Thanks."

  She looked at Charlie. "I know Michael and his firm will do a good job for you."

  "I am sorry, Miss Palmer. I liked your ideas a lot. I was leaning in your direction, but I can't let my company get caught in the middle of a war."

  "I understand."

  "Do you remember what you said to me when you left yesterday—about how the park had changed your life, made you remember who you used to be?" Charlie asked.

  "Yes."

  "Well, if you don’t mind some unwanted advice, I'd suggest you think about whether your firm is really where you want to be now. They tried to impress me by bringing in the big guns, but I always wanted you. I knew, like your father, that you would be honest, creative, and ethical. And it's quite clear to me that your father's former company treads a fine line in some of those areas."

  "Things have changed a lot since my father left the firm."

  "After I spoke to Mr. Hargrove, I realized why your presentation felt like it had two parts. One was theirs and one was yours, wasn't it?"

  "Yes. They didn't want me to present my side, but I couldn't waste your time without giving you my best." She got to her feet. "I do very much appreciate the opportunity to pitch. Thank you for that. I'm going to go now and let you two talk strategy."

  She turned and left the room without giving Michael another glance. She couldn't look at him right now. She wanted to be happy for him, but she was too caught up in the emotion of losing and the shock of how the firm had sold her out.

  Walking quickly out of the building, she didn't slow her pace until she reached her car. Once inside, she sat back and drew in a couple of deep breaths as she looked at the flying flags surrounding the park. She would have loved to work on this account. But it wasn't going to be hers. And truthfully, deep down inside, she knew that even if she'd gotten the account, Brian and the other partners would have been on her every second to do things their way.

  She'd told Michael yesterday that she'd had an epiphany—that she'd realized she could cower in the corner or follow blindly like a good soldier. She had to take charge of her life and her career.

  Picking up her phone, she called Brian. "Nice move calling Mr. Hayward," she said.

  "I assume that means we got the account."

  She found herself smiling at the cocky note in his voice. "He was going to give us the account, until you called. He said he couldn't hire a firm that didn't support its own employees and that it was clear to him that if he went with us because he wanted me, he was not going to get me. So, no, Brian, we didn't get the account. Mr. Hayward's millions are going to another firm."

  "That's a bunch of bullshit, Liz, a nice story to cover up the fact that you lost. In the end, that's all Bill and Howard are going to care about. You lost a huge account for the firm. Don't be surprised if your office doesn't end up in a closet."

  "Oh, that's not going to happen," she said.

  "Your dad can't protect you anymore."

  "I don't need him to protect me." She hung up the phone before she could say the words that were hovering on her tongue—I quit. She wasn't going to give Brian the satisfaction of taking her resignation. No, if she were going to change her life, she would do it the right way.

  * * *

  Michael rushed out of the office
a good thirty minutes after Liz had left, hoping he'd find her waiting for him outside. But she was gone.

  Of course she was gone. She'd lost to him again.

  Even though she'd told him yesterday she could handle whatever happened, clearly the loss hurt—a lot. Not just for her but for her dad. And the fact that he'd played a part in hurting her didn't sit well. But her loss wasn't totally his fault. Liz's own company had taken her down. If the partner at her firm hadn't called Charlie, Liz would be celebrating and he'd be dealing with how to break the bad news to his sister.

  Which reminded him that he needed to call his sister. He pulled out his phone.

  Erica answered on the first ring. "Well?"

  "We got it," he said, still amazed he was bringing her such fantastic news.

  "I can't believe it. I was hoping, but I really thought it would go to Damien, Falks and Palmer."

  "Charlie was leaning that way, but in the end he went with us."

  "This is freaking fantastic."

  "It is. I'm leaving now. I'll bring champagne to the office. Tell everyone to be ready to celebrate in a few hours."

  "Are you kidding? We're starting now. Drive fast. Actually, don’t drive fast, drive safe, because we need you for all the work that's coming our way."

  He smiled. "I'll see you soon." He hit Liz's number next. The call went immediately to voice mail.

  "Lizzie, I need to talk to you. I know I'm not your favorite person right now, but call me back. We said we weren't going to let the results of our competition change things between us. I don't want to turn us into liars. Do you?"

  Chapter Sixteen

  Liz listened to Michael's message as she got out of her car and walked up the steps to her parent's house. She didn't want to be a liar, but she wasn't ready to call him back yet. She had something important to do first. Actually, she had two things to do, and she was quite certain that the first would be the most difficult.

  She found her dad in the family room. He was reading a book, his glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose as he raised his gaze to hers. She didn't know where her mom was, but it was probably better that she talk to her dad alone.