“Not unless I develop a few extra body parts overnight.” She giggled.
“Oh.” Her sister pushed up her glasses. “So why did he call you?”
“He’s in town for a meeting tonight. He didn’t say it out loud, but my guess is he’s looking into whatever deal Logan is cooking up for the industrial park.” She took a bite of spicy Mac ‘n Cheese. “He invited me to the dinner his group is having with Logan.”
“You didn’t say yes, did you?” Natalie slapped her pearls against her neck, then rolled her eyes. “Of course you did.”
“Never pass up an opportunity to learn more about your business opposition’s plans. Plus, I have an idea that could get Logan Martin to stop blackballing the brewery for good.”
“And that’s all this is for you…business?”
Miranda ignored the twinge in her chest. “Why would it be anything else?”
Chapter Ten
Miranda couldn’t decide. Red or black? Choosing between the two dresses spread out on her bed wasn’t the most important decision of her life, but it mattered. The simple black cocktail dress was the smart choice, the expected choice. But tonight was about impact, daring, and the power of surprise. How better to do that than with the vintage Ralph Lauren sleeveless cranberry silk dress? Men might not consciously accept—or admit to—the power of fashion, but they instinctively reacted to the signals clothing sent. She couldn’t make more of a power statement than red.
She ran her fingertips across the smooth material as she lifted it up and held it against her body. It hit an inch or two above her knee, borderline for a business dinner at the Hamilton River Country Club, but the high neck balanced out the slim flash of thigh. She’d skip the metallic stilettos she usually wore with the dress for a pair of nude pumps. Add in the cream, hip-length blazer that nipped in at her waist and voila! her subdued, pulled back hair and the dress would make a bold statement without screaming.
“We gotta jet in about ten. You almost ready?” The closed door muffled Marc’s voice, but she couldn’t miss the slight strain
. There were two things in the world that drove him crazy: people who didn’t balance their checkbooks…and being late.
“I can’t believe you’ve waited this long to say something.” She slipped the silk dress over her head. “What did you do, alphabetize the cans in the pantry?”
“Your sister beat me to it.” He laughed. “If she wasn’t a girl, I’d snap her up in a heartbeat.”
“Ha. She’d take one look at your shoe shopping bill and kick you to the curb.” Miranda grasped her thick hair, twisted it into a bun, and secured it with an elastic band.
“It’s always something. I talked to the big boys back in Harbor City. They’re on board with your plan.”
“Giving Logan’s group access to the interstate and river makes sense. Plus, it’ll eliminate Logan’s motivation for submarining the brewery.”
“What about this bet that your sister let spill?”
What she wouldn’t give to have never proposed that stupid bet in the first place. “Some things matter more than pride.” If she was willing to swallow a bitter pill to make the brewery profitable to show the people at DeBoer Financial that she could complete a corporate turnaround and finally get her promotion, then he could do the same.
“You know you’re talking about a man and his ego, right?” Marc asked. “Wars have been fought over less.”
“Hopefully not tonight.” Sticking the final pin in place to hold her hair in the smooth knot at the nape of her neck, Miranda turned away from the mirror, slipped on her shoes, and then swung open the door.
Marc gave her look an up and down assessment. “I see we’re going as a predator tonight.”
“Exactly.”
“You need earrings.” He strode into the room, stopping in front of her jewelry travel case. He dug through the glittery contents for a minute before pulling out a pair of dangly gold earrings.
“No way, totally wrong for a business dinner.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “But you and I both know this isn’t just business.”
A flush heated her cheeks. “How—”
“Natalie doesn’t gossip, but the girl does love to talk.” He grinned and plopped the earrings into her palm.
“Damn.” Staring at the sparkling jewelry in her hand, Miranda drew in a deep breath.
“Suck it up, princess. It’s time to go dazzle the boys with your mind and my client’s deep pockets.”