Excerpt
Chapter
One
Jase cracked his eyes and peered through the narrow line where the Stetson didnâÈçt quite meet his upturned face. A woman in a dark blazer and skirt stood just inside the front door of his saloon.
Hell. Russ must have left the front door unlocked.
Russ could just deal with it, then, because Jase wasnâÈçt getting up for anything. HeâÈçd celebrated the hell out of his thirty-third birthday last night, and he needed to catch a few zâÈçs before the Rusty Wire Saloon opened for business again. The wooden chair he slouched in and the one propping up his feet made a hard bed, but theyâÈçd do.
The womanâÈçs heels clicked across the dance floor, prompting him to take another peek. Shapely legs with enough feminine sway to put some swing in the skirt moved briskly across his line of vision. Curious despite himself, he lifted a finger to the brim of his hat.
The blazer hid a lot with its generic-uniform look, but he had a feeling the body beneath it was as shapely as the legs. His gaze lingered on a pretty profile, and reddish-blond hair that would have looked great falling to her shoulders, but was inexplicably bound into some kind of grandmotherly bun thing. A waste of good sex appeal.
He concentrated on dozing again as the woman made a beeline for Billy where he was scrubbing down the bar. âÈêWeâÈçre not open,âÈë he heard Billy say before she could dive into her sales spiel. Good man.
âÈêI know.âÈë Her voice already said it didnâÈçt matter, which didnâÈçt sound good for Billy. âÈêIâÈçm Zoe Larkin, from the Alpine Sky. IâÈçd like to speak to the owner, please.âÈë
Too bad, Jase thought. Billy said it for him. âÈêHe doesnâÈçt like to be disturbed this time of day. What can I do for you?âÈë
âÈêIâÈçm afraid I can only speak to the owner.âÈë
Billy must have hesitated at that, because he heard a glass hit the bar as Russ downed his Alka-Seltzer and cleared his throat. âÈêCan I help you?âÈë Jase silently thanked him. With Russ and Jennifer sitting at the end of the bar and Billy nearby, his nap had a triple line of defense.
Sharp heels clicked closer as she crossed to the end of the bar. âÈêIâÈçm Zoe Larkin, assistant manager of the Alpine Sky. Are you the owner?âÈë
âÈêNext thing to it. NameâÈçs Russ Holbrook. IâÈçm the manager, and IâÈçm probably the one you want to talk to if youâÈçre from that fancy resort up the road.âÈë
Good point. Russ had handled enough past tiffs with the Alpine Sky to head her off at the pass.
âÈêYou people got a problem with the Rusty Wire again? Sorry about last nightâÈçs crowd, but I already told you, I canâÈçt keep my customers from moving on to your bar for more partying after they leave here. Long as they leave reasonably sober, we ainâÈçt responsible for what they do.âÈë
Right. Now show her to the door.
âÈêIâÈçm not here to complain about rowdy customers, Mr. Holbrook.âÈë
Undaunted, Russ replied, âÈêWell, if itâÈçs the overflow parking, we already put up new signs soâÈçs theyâÈçd stay off your precious driveway.âÈë
âÈêItâÈçs not the parking, either. IâÈçm here to propose a business deal, and only the owner can tell me if heâÈçs interested.âÈë
âÈêWhat kind of deal?âÈë Russ sounded suspicious.
âÈêThe private kind,âÈë she said, polite but firm.
âÈêYou suing us for something?âÈë
âÈêMr. Holbrook . . .âÈë
âÈêâÈçCause if you are, we got lawyers, too, and we donâÈçt take to letting the big resorts tell us what we can and canâÈçt do.âÈë
Jase heard her blow out an impatient breath. âÈêThe Alpine Sky is not suing you, Mr. Holbrook. But we are interested in talking with the owner. I would appreciate it if one of you would contact him and let him know IâÈçm here.âÈë
âÈêOne of youâÈë probably included Jennifer, sitting beside Russ at the bar. JaseâÈçs mouth twitched with a repressed smile; Jennifer didnâÈçt take well to being told what to do.
Zoe Larkin from the Alpine Sky must have seen it, because her voice took on an irritated edge. âÈêLook, itâÈçs a simple request. WhatâÈçs so hard about placing a phone call to the owner? Is he out of the country?âÈë
Jase prayed someone would say yes, but they missed their big opportunity and met her question with stubborn silence. Damn, this nap wasnâÈçt going to happen.
He heard an impatient toe tap. âÈêIs he in prison?âÈë
Most times he might have found that sassy attitude amusing. Not today.
âÈêPerhaps I should just take a seat and wait.âÈë
Oh, for ChristâÈçs sake. âÈêDonâÈçt bother,âÈë he said, scraping his footrest out of the way and forcing his tired body into a sitting position. He tipped the hat back to meet the ladyâÈçs surprised brown eyes. Huh, heâÈçd imagined blue, but he liked what he saw. Leaning his forearms on the table, he looked her over with reluctant appreciation. Giving up sleep had some compensations. âÈêIâÈçm the owner, lady. What do you want?âÈë
âÈò âÈò âÈò
Zoe shot an irritated glance at the man sheâÈçd taken to be a drunk sleeping off an early buzz. With the hat no longer hiding his features, she could see the hard lines of a strong face beneath at least a dayâÈçs worth of stubble. His clear gaze caused her to do a mental stumble; the lazy sexuality in his eyes belonged more to a bedroom than a bar. Not that it mattered. His good looks were offset by a put-upon frown that said forcing his body into an erect posture was more work than heâÈçd intended to do all day.
She approached slowly, taking in the wrinkled shirt, faded jeans, and worn boots. The man was as shabby as his saloon, which helped squelch her brief twinge of interest. âÈêYouâÈçre Jason Garrett?âÈë
âÈêItâÈçs just Jase.âÈë
She stuck out her hand. âÈêHello, Mr. Garrett. IâÈçm ZoeâÈ'âÈë
âÈêI heard. Zoe Larkin, assistant manager from the Alpine Sky.âÈë His interested gaze drank her in again, lingering in a couple of places and setting off a squirmy feeling deep inside her that she dismissed with irritation. âÈêYou wanted the owner, you got him. What do you need?âÈë
She took a deep breath, forcing herself not to glare. It didnâÈçt matter that he was rude, only that he accept her offer. She was fairly certain that hearing it would wipe that smug look right off his face.
âÈêIâÈçm here to make you an offer on behalf of Ruth Ann Flemming, the owner of the Alpine Sky.âÈë She paused a couple of seconds for dramatic effect. âÈêMrs. Flemming would like to buy the Rusty Wire Saloon.âÈë
Behind her, a glass thunked onto the bar. The rhythmic sound of the scrub brush stopped. Jase Garrett didnâÈçt move, not even the flicker of an eyelid. His gaze was steady on hers for several long seconds, while she tried not to fidget. âÈêIs that so,âÈë he finally said.
Since he hadnâÈçt made it a question, she didnâÈçt answer. She wished heâÈçd ask one, though, because his thoughtful stare made her nervous.
âÈêWhat does the exalted Alpine Sky want with my saloon?âÈë
âÈêWe would like to expand our business.âÈë
His gaze took a slow trip up and down her suit. âÈêA honky-tonk doesnâÈçt seem like your style, Miss Larkin.âÈë
âÈêThank you, it isnâÈçt. But the Alpine Sky doesnâÈçt actually want your saloon, Mr. Garrett. We want your land. As you know, our resort is a popular winter destination for skiers. We would like to offer summer activities, too, which means building a golf course. For that we need more land. A semiflat piece, like the one your saloon sits on.âÈë
The stillness at the bar behind her was palpable, as if all three people were holding their breath. JaseâÈçs shadowed eyes gave nothing away. âÈêYou want to tear down the Rusty Wire?âÈë
âÈêI imagine if the building is in good condition, it might be used for something else.âÈë She gave the room a quick glance, deciding not to tell him the chances of that were next to zero. âÈêThe townâÈçs records show that the lot size, including parking, is two acres. You also own the fifty behind it. Those acres adjoin the Alpine Sky, and they would be ideal for an eighteen-hole course.âÈë
âÈêThat land is untouched wilderness.âÈë
She raised an eyebrow. âÈêMr. Garrett, the Rocky Mountains are full of untouched wilderness. You can buy as much as you want. The only thing special about your piece of wilderness is that it adjoins our resort.âÈë
âÈêAnd itâÈçs flat.âÈë
âÈêYes, relatively.âÈë
His expressionless gaze held hers for a long time. A bar stool squeaked behind her, but she didnâÈçt turn.
âÈêThe Rusty WireâÈçs not for sale.âÈë
She smiled. âÈêYou havenâÈçt heard our offer yet, Mr. Garrett. ItâÈçs more than generous.âÈë
âÈêDoesnâÈçt matter.âÈë
âÈêTwo point five million.âÈë
Zoe heard the woman suck in her breath. She tried not to look smug as she waited for Jase GarrettâÈçs eyes to widen and his mouth to drop open in shock. It didnâÈçt happen. Nothing happened.
âÈêNo thanks.âÈë He all but yawned.
No thanks, that was it? It wasnâÈçt a deal breaker, but she would have bet everything she had that heâÈçd snap it up, and probably order a beer to celebrate. Irritation prickled just under her skin, making it hard to keep up an appearance of calm. âÈêMr. Garrett, perhaps you should take some time to explore the price of real estate around BarringerâÈçs Pass. Two and a half million is an incredibly high price for fifty-two acres of mostly undeveloped land.âÈë
Finally, his expression changed. His eyebrows drew together and a muscle clenched along his firm jaw. âÈêI said no, Miss Larkin. ThatâÈçs my answer. Go make your pitch to whoever owns the land on the other side of the Alpine Sky.âÈë
It was wordier than his other responses, but just as negative. It also revealed their weakest bargaining point. She pressed her mouth together, reluctant to admit what she had to say. âÈêThe other side is federal land. They arenâÈçt open to an offer.âÈë
âÈêNeither am I.âÈë
She closed her eyes and sighed, making a big deal out of her reluctance to give in. Let him think heâÈçd made a crafty bargain. She dropped her voice. âÈêIâÈçm not authorized to offer more money, Mr. Garrett, but just between the two of us, if you gave me a counteroffer of three million, I might be able to convince Mrs. Flemming to pay it.âÈë
He actually scowled. âÈêMiss Larkin, I appreciate your dedication to your job, but IâÈçve given my answer. Now run along.âÈë Tugging a chair closer, he propped his feet up, slouched down, and dropped the hat back over his eyes.
She stared. A show of resistance wouldnâÈçt have surprised her, but she hadnâÈçt been prepared for a flat rejection. Who turned down three million dollars for a crappy saloon and a few acres of trees? She was missing something here, and she wasnâÈçt leaving until she figured out what it was.
âÈò âÈò âÈò
Jase waited for the click of heels across the dance floor, interested enough to take one more look at the resort ladyâÈçs legs as she left. For one of the infamous Larkin girls, she wasnâÈçt what heâÈçd expected. But then, rumors were often wrong.
He didnâÈçt hear retreating footsteps. He poked a cautious finger at his hat brim and lifted it an inch. She was still standing there, her pretty lips pulled into a tight line and her irritated gaze boring into him. A no-nonsense look that went well with her severe hairstyle.
Her body language intrigued him, but he had no interest in her offer. He pushed the hat up a couple more inches. âÈêMiss Larkin, I canâÈçt help but notice youâÈçre still here.âÈë
âÈêNothing gets past you, does it, Mr. Garrett?âÈë
âÈêWhat else do you want?âÈë
âÈêI want an explanation. I offered you far more than this old place and that undeveloped land are worth. In fact, my guess is that the Rusty Wire is aptly named, and that rust isnâÈçt even the worst of your problems in a building this old.âÈë She looked around the saloon, taking in the century-old bar along with the new light fixtures and new windows. âÈêYouâÈçve probably had to dump a ton of cash into plumbing and electrical updates, just to mention the obvious. I think itâÈçs safe to assume it takes most of your profits to keep this place up to code.âÈë
That was accurate enough to raise her a notch in his estimation; she wasnâÈçt just some corporate lackey delivering a message. Assistant manager, sheâÈçd said. She probably knew a lot about running an establishment that served the public. Not that it would help her argument any. âÈêWhatâÈçs your point?âÈë
âÈêMy point is that I just offered you the equivalent of a winning lottery ticket, and you turned it down without a thought.âÈë
âÈêI thought about it. Maybe I just think faster than you.âÈë
She ignored the jab. âÈêWhy would you turn down a small fortune when keeping the Rusty Wire open will eventually cost you a small fortune?âÈë
He flashed a cocky smile to go with his bluff so she wouldnâÈçt guess how little he knew about his own saloonâÈçs finances.
âÈêKeeping the Rusty Wire open doesnâÈçt cost me a small fortune, Miss Larkin. If you work up the hill, IâÈçm sure youâÈçve seen how busy this place is on a Friday or Saturday night. We turn a nice profit. But thanks for your concern.âÈë
Her frown said she wasnâÈçt buying it, and he didnâÈçt want to argue the details, since he didnâÈçt know them. He kicked the chair aside again and got to his feet, walking around the table to place a guiding hand on her elbow. It would have been a nice bonus if his six-foot-three height intimidated her, but she looked to be at least five six, and her high heels narrowed the difference even more. Besides, he doubted assistant manager Zoe Larkin was easily intimidated, even in bare feet.
âÈêNot that itâÈçs any of your business, Miss Larkin, but you might say IâÈçve already won the lottery. I donâÈçt need your three million.âÈë
Her gaze narrowed as she tried to figure it out. While she thought, he opened the door and escorted her through the small entry space and out the second door.
She stopped dead in the parking lot as soon as he took his hand off her elbow. âÈêWhat does that mean? Are you saying you have so much money you can afford to throw some away on a run-down saloon?âÈë
âÈêIâÈçm saying you canâÈçt buy me, Miss Larkin. You run back up to that fancy palace on the hill and tell that to the lady who sent you here. Have a nice day now, you hear?âÈë Before she could argue that with him, too, he turned and walked back inside, locking the door behind him.
They were all watching him. Russ and Jennifer had swiveled their stools toward the door, and Billy seemed to have forgotten the scrub brush in his hand. They waited for him to say something.
âÈêLeave it locked until we open.âÈë He walked back to his chair and settled in again. With luck, heâÈçd get a couple hoursâÈç sleep before they opened at three.
âÈêJase!âÈë
BillyâÈçs yell would have knocked him off his chair if he hadnâÈçt been half expecting it. With a sigh, he sat up and faced the three people at the bar. âÈêWhat?âÈë
âÈêDidnâÈçt you hear what she said? Three million dollars!âÈë His eyes nearly popped out.
âÈêYeah, I heard.âÈë
âÈêAre you crazy? Who turns down three million dollars?âÈë
âÈêSomeone who doesnâÈçt want to sell.âÈë
BillyâÈçs mouth opened, but he simply stared. Russ took up the slack. âÈêYou think this place is really worth that much?âÈë
âÈêNah, not even with the land.âÈë
âÈêMight be worth more than you think,âÈë he insisted.
âÈêTrust me, itâÈçs not. They must be in a hurry to turn it into a golf course and pull in more business. TheyâÈçd make up the cost in no time.âÈë
âÈêSo whyâÈçd you say no?âÈë
âÈêBecause I donâÈçt want to sell, simple as that. I like it here. And I prefer looking at the trees on Two Bears Mountain instead of a golf course. The resorts have already swallowed up enough of B-Pass.âÈë He looked at Jennifer. As usual, he couldnâÈçt read her calm gaze. âÈêYou think IâÈçm crazy, too?âÈë
âÈêNo. I think owning the Rusty Wire suits you. What else would you do?âÈë
âÈêExactly. Thank you. Now, if you all donâÈçt mind, IâÈçm going to take a nap.âÈë
No one said anything, so he settled back, propped his boots on a chair, and put the hat over his face. Sleep wasnâÈçt going to be possibleâÈ'he could still feel their stares on him. But as long as he faked it, he wouldnâÈçt have to answer more questions.
Dodging the truth wasnâÈçt easy. Telling it would have been even harder, requiring him to face the unsettling suspicion that the Rusty Wire was the only thing that held him together these days. If he didnâÈçt say it aloud, he could pretend it wasnâÈçt true.
Maybe Jennifer knew him better than heâÈçd thought.
âÈò âÈò âÈò
Zoe fumed as she drove the half mile up the mountain to the Alpine Sky Village. She was a professional, presenting a major business deal. Or trying to. He might as well have patted her on the head and told her to run along. He had told her to run along, the patronizing jerk.
He was a lazy slob, too, if he could sit there and nap while his saloon needed cleaning. SheâÈçd spent some time hanging out with people like him and recognized the type. Party all night, sleep all day, and never do a bit of work you donâÈçt have to. SheâÈçd narrowly escaped getting sucked into that mire herself, and would prefer to stay away from it. People in BarringerâÈçs Pass had long memories.
Jase Garrett obviously didnâÈçt know herâÈ'she wasnâÈçt a quitter. She was going to do some homework on him, and hope like hell he was too lazy to do any on her. Next time she went to the Rusty Wire, sheâÈçd know everything there was to know about both Jase and his saloon, including what might tempt him to sell.
Reaching the landscaped streets of the luxury resort community eased her irritation. In contrast to the Rusty Wire, everything about the Alpine Sky screamed class and dignityâÈ'the stone-and-timber theme of the main lodge and its related condos, the cute gift shops and ski stores across from the lodge, even the quaint stone bridge over the rushing gorge of Elkhorn Creek. Their narrow valley didnâÈçt allow them to spread out like Aspen or Vail, but they had the best ski slopes around, and their little community was charming as all get-out.
For service, accommodations, and grandeur, the place was perfection. All except for the manager, her boss. If she was lucky, she could slip inside without encountering him.
It wasnâÈçt going to happen. Crossing the marble floor of the lobby, she saw David behind the admissions desk. Their new clerk appeared to be hanging on his every instruction, already captivated by her bossâÈçs handsome face and air of authority. It didnâÈçt matter that David was twenty years older than the desk clerk, with hair gone prematurely silver-gray. It never did. They always fell for his sophisticated look and charm, and the cool way he passed all the problems on to Zoe, as if they were no more than minor blips on his radar screen. If James Bond had gone into hotel management and been merely passably good at his job, he would have been David Brand.
Zoe seemed to be the only one who found him condescending and arrogant. His feelings for her werenâÈçt any warmer.
They both knew sheâÈçd be a better manager than David. Buck Flemming, the original owner of the Alpine Sky, preferred keeping women where he insisted they belongedâÈ'beneath menâÈ'so David had skated by while she did all the work. Then Buck had died. Ruth Ann took a couple of minutes to play the grieving widow before freeing up her social calendar by making her son, Matt, the new general manager. Zoe hadnâÈçt met him, but David had. He didnâÈçt give her the details of the meeting, but his irritation made it obvious; finally, someone else had not been charmed by David Brand.
Matt had given her the golf course deal without even meeting her. She and David both knew her success might result in a shake-up in management.
Gloves off, game on. David wanted nothing more than for her to fail. Hearing him gloat had zero appeal, so she tried to sneak past the front desk. He looked up and caught her eye with a cool smile. âÈêExcuse me, Victoria,âÈë he told the starry-eyed clerk. âÈêI need to talk to Zoe, but IâÈçm confident you can handle things on your own. YouâÈçre doing beautifully.âÈë She beamed, but he didnâÈçt see it as he intercepted Zoe at the back hallway.
âÈêIâÈçm just here to pick up my laptop,âÈë she told him.
His smile almost looked sincere. âÈêLetâÈçs take a minute to chat in my office, shall we?âÈë
She tried not to roll her eyes. âÈêLetâÈçs chatâÈë meant Let me find something to criticize about the way you handled things so I can enjoy how bad youâÈçll look when Mrs. Flemming hears about it. It killed her that she was about to make his day.
He closed his office door and sat behind the desk before giving her an expectant look. âÈêI heard your car was at the Rusty Wire.âÈë
Crap, he had snitches. âÈêI stopped by to meet the owner.âÈë
âÈêOh, letâÈçs not be coy. We both know why you were there. So how good are you at high-level negotiations? Did he go for your lowball price?âÈë
She felt her whole body tighten, and told herself heâÈçd find out soon, anyway, being her supervisor. âÈêNo.âÈë
âÈêThatâÈçs too bad.âÈë He clicked his tongue in mock disappointment. âÈêIt would have looked good if you could have brought this deal in under budget. But I suppose Ruth Ann and Matt wonâÈçt be too disappointed with three.âÈë
They wouldnâÈçt have had she managed it. She clenched her teeth and made herself say it. âÈêHe didnâÈçt go for three, either.âÈë
âÈêReally?âÈë He savored it, a smile playing at the side of his mouth as he tried to look concerned. âÈêHow disappointing for you. How much does he want?âÈë
âÈêHe says he wonâÈçt sell at any price.âÈë David nearly lit up, and she rushed to squash his hopes. âÈêI havenâÈçt given up. IâÈçll get to him, I just havenâÈçt found his weak spot yet.âÈë
DavidâÈçs smile was serene. âÈêMaybe he doesnâÈçt have one. It would be awful to disappoint the Flemmings, though. I heard Ruth Ann put Matt in charge of the whole expansion project, and you know how she is about her baby boy. HeâÈçs not the person you want to piss off.âÈë He looked positively thrilled that she might.
âÈêHe wonâÈçt be disappointed.âÈë
He punched the air like a cheerleader. âÈêThatâÈçs the spirit.âÈë
She looked around, wondering if there was anything she could accidentally bash his teeth in with. Her gaze fell on a large box in the corner. Beneath packing labels and tape, the box bore the distinctive double-E logo of Everton Equipment.
She frowned. As far as she knew, Everton didnâÈçt make ski equipment. But they did make an exclusive line of clothing and equipment for golf. She gave David a puzzled look. âÈêAre we already ordering for a golf line? They donâÈçt even know if the project is a go.âÈë
âÈêMore pressure on you, huh?âÈë He enjoyed it for a moment before nodding at the box. âÈêThose are sample shirts direct from the factory. Naturally, if the Alpine Sky builds the golf course, weâÈçll carry only the best brand in our pro shop. I imagine Everton heard rumors and decided to do some early lobbying for their brand.âÈë
Really early; she was surprised they even knew about it. That meant Ruth Ann and Matt must be operating on the assumption that buying the Rusty Wire was a done deal. Zoe had to convince Jase Garrett to sellâÈ'and fast.
David went to the box and lifted the flaps. âÈêHere, take one.âÈë He pulled out a dark blue polo shirt and tossed it to her. âÈêWear it to the Rusty Wire; maybe itâÈçll help.âÈë For some reason that made him grin.
SheâÈçd had enough of DavidâÈçs encouragement. Clutching the shirt, she stood. âÈêIâÈçm not giving up, you know. IâÈçll find a way to convince him to sell.âÈë
He smirked. âÈêGood luck.âÈë
She wasnâÈçt stupid enough to count on luck. This required research. She had several hours before her shift started to find out everything she could about Jase Garrett.
âÈò âÈò âÈò
It didnâÈçt take long. Not many people lit up a Google search like Jase did.
At first she thought she had the wrong Jase Garrett as she scanned all sorts of hits on downhill skiing events and websites. Then she saw the photos. A younger version, but unmistakably the chiseled face of the man sheâÈçd talked to at the Rusty Wire.
And the accolades. She lost count of the titles and trophies.
And, oh my God, the medals. SheâÈçd hit on them right away and nearly fell off her chair. Olympic medals, flashing in the winter sunlightâÈ'three gold and one silver. Jase grinned in the picture like the winner he was, holding them up for the camera.
On the cover of Time magazine.
Zoe stared at the picture for a long time. The red, white, and blue parka, the confidence in his squared shoulders and raised chin, the glint of victory in his eyes. And the words beside the picture: âÈêJase Garrett Shines for America.âÈë
HeâÈçd been famous. Probably had endorsement deals with major companies, which explained why her offer hadnâÈçt tempted him. She was not the first person to offer him millions of dollars.
Why hadnâÈçt she known? Her eyes strayed to the dateâÈ'ten years ago. SheâÈçd been in her first year of college. Well, that explained it; sheâÈçd barely noticed the world beyond campus during those years, being much too busy trashing her future. But he was only a few years older than she was, which meant he would still have been young and strong enough to compete in the next winter Olympics. She quickly searched the U.S. ski team four years later, but couldnâÈçt find his name. An injury could have kept him out; it happened all the time. No matter, nothing could take away from the four medals heâÈçd earned that one year. And if heâÈçd ever been injured, he seemed fine now. She hadnâÈçt noticed so much as a limp.
He might no longer compete, but Jase hadnâÈçt retired to a tropical island or gone off to mingle with the jet set. He lived in tiny BarringerâÈçs Pass, where he had access to the best ski slopes this side of the Alps. SheâÈçd bet anything he still skied. That sort of dedication to a sport didnâÈçt just fade away.
A slow smile crossed her face as she realized how she could use that.
Closing the laptop, her eyes fell on the polo shirt sheâÈçd tossed on her desk. Size large. On impulse, she folded it and tucked it into her shoulder bag. A little reminder of the marketing powerhouse backing up her idea might be the perfect way to make her point.
