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Genevieve shook her hand. “Likewise.”
“Let’s give you the tour, shall we?”
THREE
Bash!”
Sebastian slowly opened the bathroom door when he heard Gus’s voice and returned to his office with a sigh of relief. “Thank you for doing that.” He breathed in deeply, feeling lightheaded from holding his breath throughout the meeting. His heart was still beating faster than normal, and now he was feeling a little nauseated as he took a seat at his desk and started up his computer.
Gus stood over him, waiting. “Care to tell me what that was all about … Kurtis?”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Okay, I know it was probably stupid, but I met her this morning, and she didn’t seem to know who I was. She was going on about how ‘Sebastian’ is a cold fish who doesn’t like women, so—”
Gus interrupted with a snort.
“When she asked my name, Kurtis popped out of my mouth.”
“Why didn’t you just tell her who you were?”
“There was something different about her, and I wondered what it would be like to get to know her if she didn’t know I had money.”
Gus shook his head. “That seems a little backward to me. In my experience, women love guys with money.”
“I’m well aware.”
“I know you are, but you’ll have a much easier time getting her if she knows you’re loaded.”
“That’s just it. I don’t want to get a girl that way.”
That was one of Gus’s biggest problems. He didn’t seem to mind women using him for his money. Sebastian could never do that. He wanted a relationship built on love and respect, one that developed naturally, not one motivated by money.
Gus plopped down in a nearby chair. “So, what’s your plan?”
“I didn’t plan it. It just happened.”
“And you think you can keep the truth from her when you work at the same company?”
Sebastian raked his fingers through his dark hair and rested his head in his hands. “Obviously, I haven’t thought this through.”
“Well, don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret.”
He looked up at his brother. “You’re never around here, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Hey! I’ve been here a lot more lately and you know it,” Gus snapped.
“I know you have.”
“I’m trying, and I think I nailed the meeting with Genevieve.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? You approved her idea without asking her anything but what theme she’d chosen. What about budget? How much will this cost? Is it even feasible to put an event of this size together in six weeks?”
Gus’s shoulders drooped.
“I’m not trying to discourage you, but I think you said yes because it sounded like a great party.”
“The fundraiser could use an update, and I think Genevieve’s idea is just what it needs.” Gus smirked. “And it does sound like a great party.”
Sebastian loved his brother, but he wasn’t always very business-minded. “I’ll deal with the fundraiser from here on out.”