“A joke it’s not. I don’t kid around.” I started to get up from my seat. “Let me know when you’ve decided. You have twenty-four hours. After that, the deal is gone.”

“Wait!” he said. “Sit down and let’s discuss exactly how you want this handled.”

I wasn’t surprised that he would give her up so easily. He was that type of guy.

I sat down and signaled the waitress for another scotch. “I will have my attorney draw up the agreement between your company and my hotel tonight. You have one week to break it off with her. If you don’t, then your company loses my hotel. I don’t care how you do it; just make sure she leaves you. It’s beyond me how she’s stayed with you anyway.”

“Hey,” he said.

“Once you break it off, you are never to contact her again. Are we clear?”

“Yeah, we’re clear. How are you going to get her for yourself? Are you just going to sweep in after she leaves and take her home with you? Because I can guarantee she won’t stay in New York. There is one place she’ll run to.”

“Where’s that?” I asked as I interlaced my fingers.

“Seattle. Her best friend lives there. It’s the only other friend she has. She’s a royal bitch. But that’s where Gabby will run.”

The corners of my mouth curved up, as my plan was now perfected. “I’ll be in touch with you tomorrow,” I said as I got up from my seat. “I can trust you will never mention this to anyone?”

“Are you kidding? Do you know how that would make me look? I have an image to uphold.”

“Just remember, I can take it all away as fast as I gave it to you.”

As I began to walk away, he called my name. As I turned around, he cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “What kind of game are you playing?”

“The one where I’m the winner.” I buttoned my suit coat and casually walked out of the restaurant.

****

“Miss Howe, thank you for meeting me on such short notice.” I smiled as I stood up and lightly shook her hand.

“My pleasure, Mr. Young. I must say, I was quite surprised to get your call.”

“Please call me Simon.”

“Now tell me what Holster can do for Young International.”

“I want you to fire one of your employees.”

“What? You can’t be serious?”

“I’m very serious, Kendra.”

“Which employee?”

“Gabrielle McCarthy.”

“She’s one of our best employees.”

“I know, and she’ll be better at Young International.”

“I’m sorry, Simon, but you have me confused. If you want to hire her, why don’t you just call her up and offer her a job?”