The Heartbroker Read Free Page A

measure. “We hope you enjoy your time here with us.”
    See? You can do it, Brooke. Professional and in control: that’s me.
    “I’m sure I will, Brooke,” he says with a hint of a smile teasing the corners of his mouth. Is it just me or did that come across as a little flirty?
    “And hi everyone. I’m looking forward to spending some time with you over the next couple of days. But really, just forget I’m here.”
    Ha! As if.
    I’ve known Logan McManus for—what? Half an hour?—And already I’m finding it hard to concentrate on anything but his dreamy eyes, his broad shoulders, the hint of stubble around his strong jaw… See what I mean?
    “It’s great to see you all here so early. I won’t hold you up,” he says by way of farewell.
    “Oh, we like to be up at the sparrow’s fart here, Mr McManus,” Jocelyn replies, suddenly at my side without me noticing.
    She’s alarmingly nimble for a large woman.
    “The sparrow’s what?” he asks, that oh-so cute confused look spreading across his handsome face again.
    “She means ‘early’. It’s a Kiwi expression,” I explain.
    Jocelyn is the best assistant I could imagine having, but she certainly favours the use of New Zealand slang. If you’re not a local, I could imagine following what she says could be quite a challenge.
    “Stefan’s got the conference room sorted out and he asked me to come and get you,” she says.
    She takes Logan by the arm, walking him back to the conference room. I trail behind. “Now, I know you’re the Yank here to suss us out, so you need to know we really bust a gut around here to put on a good show. Not that I want to skite or anything. I just thought you should know we really care about what we do.”
    Logan nods at her, smiling like a dimwit. “Yes. Good,” he replies with clearly more conviction than he’s feeling.
    I suppress a smile. “Thanks, Jocelyn.”
    We reach the conference room door. I spot Stefan through the window, bouncing about the room like a kite in the wind, putting the final touches to his presentation. It’s obvious to me he’s nervous, and I say a silent prayer he doesn’t fall apart in front of Logan.
    Now that I think about it, perhaps I should throw in a prayer for me, too!
    “No worries, love. Good as gold,” Jocelyn says, closing the door behind her.
    I glance at Logan, taking in his bemused look. “She’s a little hard to understand if you’re not from around here.”
    “You can say that again. I’m amazed Kristie could understand enough to organise our meeting.”
    I laugh. “Maybe she had a Kiwi-American dictionary on hand?”
    I open the conference door and enter the room, followed by Logan.
    “Morning, Stefan,” I say. “Logan, this is Stefan Drake.”
    Stefan is my head of marketing, and one of my close friends. We met when he applied for the job three years ago and I liked him instantly. He keeps me entertained with his wicked sense of humour and his ever-eventful love life. And he’s good at his job, too.
    Logan walks over casually and shakes Stefan’s hand. “Great to meet you, Stefan.”
    “Likewise,” Stefan replies, his smile broadening as he gives Logan a none-too-subtle once over.
    I dart him a ‘keep-it-in-your-pants’ look—ironic, I know—and he purses his lips at me in response as he checks the connection between his laptop and the projector.
    What is it with this guy? He’s got the two of us so hot under the collar I’m surprised neither of us has spontaneously combusted.
    “Stefan has a presentation on our marketing strategy and successes for you today, Logan. He’s been with us for some years now and has some real achievements under his belt.”
    “Oh, stop it, Brooke,” he purrs, obviously thrilled by the compliment.
    I pull out my chair and sit down before Logan has the chance to act like an American Prince Charming again. He takes a seat a couple of chairs away and I heave a sigh of relief: keeping some physical distance between us is