Chapter 4

Skylar ducked her head as she slid into the backseat of the black town car waiting in front of Banscroft Empires. She fought off the nerves as he slid onto the seat beside her and shut the car door. This was not at all where she expected to find herself on her first day of this placement, questioning her sanity for risking a prime placement and a potential poor review if she screwed things up tonight. She could have said no. She SHOULD have said no. 

She smoothed out the skirt of her dress in an attempt to soothe her nerves. She needed to make sure they had their story set out. A firm plan would make this easier. More like business. She shoved her attraction toward him to the back of her mind and turned her head to look at James. "So. Let's go over this again," her tone coming across almost too aggressive in her attempt to cover up the flips her stomach was doing. James nodded. "We met a month ago at the appreciation function the company hosts every year," he started. His parents had been unable to attend this year so it would make it difficult for his mother to dispute.

"Yes. I was there with my uncle, who was a former client of yours," Skylar continued. "We hit it off at the wine tasting bar and I gave you my number. Do we really need to tell her much more than that?"

"I fucking wish," James said bitterly, "But she won't be satisfied with just that. She'll want to know long-term details. And why we skipped out on brunch on the weekend."

Skylar raised an eyebrow at James. "You didn't tell me we were to go to brunch. We absolutely would have attended had I known. You must've been distracted what with closing that deal with Tetratec Industries last week."

James shot Skylar a surprised look. "Great answer. You did your homework too."

Skylar shrugged, "I'm a temp. The nature of the job requires me to get up to speed really quickly otherwise you spend the whole time in your placement floundering. I don't like to flounder." 

"Well you're definitely not floundering." James gave her a half smile that made her stomach do another flip. She wasn't so sure he was right there.

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James held the door for Skylar as they entered the lobby of the country club his family frequented. Skylar walked in like she came here every week and James frowned when he noticed she had caught the eye of a few of the male patrons standing in the lobby. He offered her an elbow and shot the men a warning glance before remembering this was not a real date and he had no right to feel as jealous as he did. He glanced down at Skylar and caught her watching him out of the corner of her eye and he felt his jaw tense as he wondered if she had noticed his jealous reaction to the other mens' stares. 

He led her down a wide carpeted hallway, the walls decorated with expensive artworks and portraits of past club board members. They stopped at a set of double oak doors on the right about halfway down the hall. He looked down at Skylar. "Ready?" he asked, offering a less than convincing smile. She looked back up at him and nodded with a look of confidence that was far more convincing than his. "Of course, let's go dupe your family," she said giving his arm a squeeze with her hand. James felt himself relax, comforted by her confidence. He nodded and opened one of the oak doors. 

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Skylar followed James through the door into the club restuarant. She cast a glance around the room, trying to gain her bearings as much as possible before the inevitable onslaught of questions. James steered her towards the bar. "Trust me, you're going to want to down a drink first. I know I want to," he said, noticing her initial confusion. She laughed and nodded, "I was hoping that's what we were doing." She took a seat at the bar as James gestured to the bartender to pour 2 drinks. He passed her a glass of whiskey and Skylar downed it and signalled the bartender for another. James looked at her in surprise for a moment and then followed suit. With another whiskey in hand he turned to face the restaurant. Skylar watched his face as he scanned the room and then turned to do the same. She felt a shiver run down her spine and shot him a quick upwards glance as he placed a hand on her lower back. She followed his gaze to see a pair of young men turn away quickly. Turning back to James she noticed the warning look on his face and felt her stomach do another flip. Was he jealous? No, that couldn't be it. It was probably for show in case his family noticed. 

As if on cue Skylar noticed an older woman approaching them. She felt James slip his arm further around her waist, feeling the tension in his side as he pulled her to it. This must be his mother. She was dressed in an expensive looking pantsuit and wore altogether too much jewellry. She smiled and her bangles jingled as she waved. "Jimmy! You actually came. I'm shocked. I thought I would have send someone down to the office to drag you here," she wagged a finger at him before turning her attention to Skylar. Skylar felt James tighten his grip a little more. "And you actually brought a girl with you. Did he pick you up off the street?" Skylar ignored the disdainful tone in the older woman's voice and offered a smile. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Mrs. Banscroft," Skylar said pleasantly, placing a hand on James' back. James looked at her and his expression softened. He turned his attention back to his mother.

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"Skylar, this is my mother Amelia Banscroft. Mother, this is Skylar," James smiled at Skylar's response to his mother's rude comment. His mother pursed her lips and watched the two of them carefully for a moment before offering Skylar a tight smile. "Nice to finally meet you Skylar. Forgive me, but with Jimmy's track record I was sure you were imaginary," she said casting a suspicious look back at James. James opened his month to admonish but stopped when he felt Skylar's hand press harder into his back. He looked to her as she continued to smile at his mother. "That's quite alright. I assure you I am not imaginary," she looked up at James. "If you were better about communicating with your mother maybe she wouldn't think I was imaginary," she said in a chastising tone. "Hey!" James started defensively, but was cut off by his mother's laugh. "She's right you know Jimmy," she admonished, wagging a finger at him again. Taking hold  of Skylar's elbow she shooed James arm off her waist and began leading her to the other side of the room. "Order drinks for the table Jimmy," she said over her shoulder as she hauled Skylar away. James downed the rest of his whiskey and watched helplessly as the two headed over to the table where his family was waiting, his mother talking animatedly and Skylar still smiling pleasantly and holding her own. Maybe he had no need to be worried after all. He smiled to himself as he watched them go. Skylar cast a quick glance back at him and smiled reassuringly. He felt the rest of his apprehension melt away as he returned her smile. Dammit James, he shook his head at himself as he turned to the bartender and ordered a round for the table. So much for a straight forward business transaction.