Page 67 of Just Business

The speaker crackled back to life. “We’re back!”

Sam rolled his eyes. “Here we go.” He unmuted. “And we’re here.”

About ten minutes into explaining, yet again, their plan to pull Sanhex out of its tailspin, Gerald asked for a face-to-face”to smooth things over with the board.” Just as Sam had predicted.

Eli stabbed the mute button. “You do not want me going.”

Sam chuckled. “I’m tempted to send you. They need their asses handed to them.” Eli opened his mouth, but Sam held up his hand. “I saidtempted. I’ll go. I may hand them their backsides in a bucket, but...”

“You’ll get the deal.” Sam could negotiate anything with the right amount of force, a friendly smile, and knowingexactlywhen to bend.

The latter talent had never come to Eli. Ever.

Sam unmuted the line. “Of course. When?”

It took another couple of minutes to work out the general schedule before they were finally able to hang up. Eli ran a hand through his hair. “Are you sure we need this?” There were other companies, other opportunities. Not so lucrative, but not every decision revolved around money.

“We knew they’d be a hard nut to crack.” Sam stood and stretched. “But this is their last chance. If I don’t come back with a signed contract, they can fuck themselves.”

There was the CEO he knew and liked. “Good.”

Sam grinned. “So, which show?”

Not any question he’d been expecting. He stretched out his leg. “Hmm?”

“Justin’s got a suit hanging on the back of the door.”

That would be a giveaway, more than Justin’s snapping. He’d been a bit more moody lately, but with the weather, everyone was temperamental. “You’re not going to believe me.”

“Oh?”

“The Nutcracker.” Eli attempted to keep a straight face as he watched Sam’s expression morph into confusion then stay there.

“But you’re...” He waved a hand and leaned on the chair.

“Jewish?”

Sam had the decency to blush. “Well, it is very Christmasy.”

He couldn’t hold back the grin any longer. “I know. I snuck out of the house to go when I was seventeen—just to piss off my parents. Friday night. Missed temple and everything.” He shrugged. “It’s tradition now.”

“You... are very weird, Eli.” Sam pushed off the chair. “Can’t see it as Justin’s thing, though.”

He rose, ignoring the twinge in his bad leg. Too much sitting. “He’s never seen it.” Justin had been as confused as Sam when Eli had suggested going, but there had also been a spark in his eyes and that sexy little quirk to his lips.You’re taking me to watch guys in tights? I’m in.“And he does enjoy theater.”

“There’s theater,” Sam said. He crossed the room and opened the door. “Then there’sThe Nutcracker.”

And there was Justin, across the hall, all spiky hair and eyeliner. He was going to look stunning in his suit. And even better when Eli peeled it off at the end of the night.

“What’s wrong withThe Nutcracker?” Justin’s smile was just as cocky as his clothing.

That threw Sam. “It’s very...”

“... Christmasy,” Eli said, deadpanning the word. He leaned against the doorframe.

Justin shrugged. “I can do Christmas if it involves watching fit men in tight clothing move in ways that should be illegal.”

Sam raised his hands in surrender and stalked into his office.