Page 7 of The Liar's Wife

“Yes, yes, definitely. Just have them send them over.”

“Okay, great,” I said, letting out a sigh. It was just after three, and my breasts were swollen with milk. I needed to pump desperately, but our meeting had run longer than expected. “So, then we just need to go over a catering list and I think we have all the basics.”

“I’ve already chosen everything I’d like served. It’s in the packet there,” he said, waving his hand toward me. “Now, do you hire the wait staff?”

“Yes, like I mentioned before, we’ll take care of handling—”

“One moment—”

He held up a hand, answering his phone. “Hello?”

I jerked my head back in shock. He couldn’t be serious.

“Hey, no, sorry, I was in the middle of something. What’s the status?” He paused. “No kidding? Yeah, we should. Call that girl from the other night, too…what was her name?” Another pause. “No, the one from Cincinnati. Yes, that’s the one.” Again, another pause. “We’ll take the jet.”

I tapped my fingers on the tabletop in the conferenceroom, my breasts so tight, itchy, and uncomfortable, I knew I was going to be leaking any moment. It was the third phone call he’d answered in our two-hour-long meeting, where we’d only covered half of what we needed to, despite only being scheduled for an hour.

This client is important.

This client could change my life.

This client is infuriating.

“Oh my God, you didn’t? Okay, yeah, you have to tell me what happened.” He paused, letting out a laugh. “I would’ve died.”

Anger radiated through me and, finally, I could take no more. I stood from the table, shoving my chair back. I grabbed my things.

“Hey—hey—ho—hold up. Hang on.” He put his fingers over the speaker. “It’ll just be a minute,” he promised, already returning to his conversation. “Sorry, man.”

“No, it won’t be a minute,” I said, shaking my head. His attention was pulled back to me.

“Excuse me?”

“You had me booked for an hour, and it’s now been two.” I glanced at my watch, though I knew I was correct. “I’m one of the most sought-after event planners in the South, Mr. Anderson, as you well know. If you have no time for this meeting, I’ll ask that you reschedule. I, for one, don’t have time to sit here any longer. You’ve wasted enough of my time.” I lifted my folders to my chest to cover my light-colored blazer as his eyes fell to my chest.

He put the phone down, looking shocked. “I don’t think you realize how big of a deal this party could be for your company, Ms. Lewis. I’d think that running a little long would be worth it for you.”

“Well—” I dug in my heels. Cumberland was going to kill me. “You thought wrong. You may find planners who will sit and let you walk all over them, but I am not one of those. My time is valuable, Mr. Anderson, and I have other clients to attend to. Losing your business will not be the end of the world for me, but losing my time and attention may well hurt your party. I am the best in the business, which means I don’t have to sit around and get treated like this. I’m sure you’re very used to being able to treat people how you please, but I am not one of your staff. This commission doesn’t meanthatmuch to me, I assure you. I have a meeting in a half hour, and I need to prepare. Your time is up.”

He pressed a button on his screen, standing from the table, and for just a moment, I thought he was going to demand to speak to Mr. Cumberland.

“Are you allowed to speak to me like that?” he asked, one brow raised.

Truth was, I had no idea. Reality was, I didn’t care. I needed this job, but there was no way Cumberland was going to fire me. I’d built well over half of the company’s client list. I was insanely good at my job. But at the current moment, my health had to come first. I needed to pump, and it just couldn’t wait.

“I guess we’ll find out,” I said, keeping my eyes locked on his. I wouldn’t waver. I held out a hand, gesturing toward the door. I should’ve said it was nice to meet him, at the very least, but it wasn’t, and I wasn’t planning to lie.

He shoved his phone into his pocket before adjusting his blazer and walking around the table. When he stopped in front of me, he held out a hand. I stared at it.

“I’m very sorry to have wasted your time, Ms. Lewis. I’ll have my secretary email you with the details of what I wouldlike.” His smoky eyes drilled into mine, a slight grin on his lips.

“Y-you’re still hiring me?” I asked, accepting his hand. His grip was firm, and he nodded solemnly.

“I didn’t get where I am by letting people walk all over me, either. I respect the fighter attitude, Ms. Lewis. Even when it’s me you’re fighting.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say.

“If you ever decide to leave this place, let me know. We have openings for people with your attitude.”