Say You're Mine (The Gallaghers Book 1) by Layla Hagen (digital ebook reader .txt) 📗

details. If you want to go back to the cottage, you can take the car. Paul can come back for me when we’re done, and Sasha and I can tell you everything later.”

They were out the door in a matter of seconds—no surprise. Sasha left with them, escorting them to the car, leaving me alone with Isabelle.

“I can show you some work I did for other clients,” she said, taking out an iPad from her bag. I leaned in closer, watching the screen. I heard yet another sharp intake of breath. Her fingers were shaking lightly as she tapped a folder titled Portfolio.

So I did affect her. Did it make me a bastard that I felt triumphant? I was used to women wanting me because I was the lead singer of GreenFire. It was one of the reasons why I hadn’t dated seriously in years. Fame and relationships didn’t blend at all. I’d learned that the hard way when the woman I thought was in love with me betrayed me.

But Isabelle was different. She didn’t care about the band. She was responding to me, and that was refreshing and real. It was intoxicating to watch her react to me like this.

“So, the name of the company is, of course, blurred out because I signed NDAs. But as you can see, I made profiles for their shoppers.”

She pointed to a slide with four stock pictures and a series of attributes beneath each one.

“This process is frequently used for market research. I have to say it’s the first time I’ve been asked to make profiles of the employers themselves. It’s a bit different.”

“Isabelle, I have a proposition for you,” I said after a few slides.

She looked up at me. “I’m listening.”

“The whole team is going bowling tonight. Join us.”

“Why?” The way she cocked her head to the side almost undid me.

“Because I’ll have time to talk to the guys. You’ll get a better idea of what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Oh, I already know it’s a lion’s den, and you’re the leader.” She smirked.

I wanted to kiss that feisty mouth. I looked at her lips long enough for her to notice. She parted them, licking the lower one.

“They’re usually friendlier than this,” I assured her, leaning farther away. “Come with us at bowling. I promise it’ll be worth your time.”

She cocked a brow, running her hand through her red hair. I could tell she was weighing the pros and cons. At best, the boys were going to be civil. At worst, they’d be even more obnoxious than they were today. I had to sweeten the offer.

“I’ll make you a deal. Come with us tonight and at least you’ll get to interview me, or whatever it is you need to do.”

She tilted her head, and that red mane cascaded over her right shoulder. It was shiny and silky, and I wanted to know how it would feel wrapped around my fingers.

“That’s a boring deal,” she countered.

I burst out laughing. “Okay, then tell me what works for you.”

“I do want to talk to you, but nothing as elaborate as an interview. Just to get a feeling for everything and see if this job is the right fit for me.”

“The right fit for you? You’re testing us?”

“No, just you for now. The rest didn’t seem to even want to look at me.”

“I like you, Isabelle. No one’s given us as much shit in years as you did in a few minutes.”

She blinked, her teasing smile fading slightly. “I’m not giving you shit. I’m sorry if it came across that way. But I am self-employed and run my own show, so I don’t take on jobs likely to cause me a headache.”

Which was when I realized this was her way of doing things: very direct and honest. She had zero tolerance for bullshit or bad attitudes, and why should she do otherwise? This was a job to her, her livelihood. I was so used to people fawning over us that this felt surreal.

“No one’s going to give you a headache. I’ll take care of that.”

Her eyes widened, and a slight blush crept onto her cheeks. It gave me immense pleasure that I’d managed to rattle her the way she’d done me this whole morning.

“Okay. I’ll join you.” She looked as if she wanted to add something else, but Sasha entered the room.

“Sorry it took me so long,” she exclaimed. She probably took a lot of flak from the guys, but Sasha was tough. I was sure she held her own.

“Good news. I’ve convinced Isabelle here to join us for bowling and drinks,” I said without taking my eyes off Isabelle. She fidgeted in her spot.

“Oh, perfect,” Sasha exclaimed. “I kind of feared the guys had already scared you away.”

“Brayden can be very persuasive,” Isabelle said.

“I promised it’ll be worth her while, and I’ll make good on it.”

Something told me Isabelle Gallagher was a challenge unlike anything I’d ever encountered. And I couldn’t wait to get closer to her.

Chapter TwoIsabelle

“I still can’t believe we’re all finally living in the same city,” I told my brothers, taking a slice of scalding hot pizza from the carton. We’d talked about having dinner together before I agreed to meet GreenFire tonight, and I hadn’t wanted to cancel on them. We had to be really quick. “Now I can fuss around you and annoy you face-to-face, not just over the phone.”

Dylan pulled me into a half hug, kissing the side of my head. “You’re never annoying.”

Ian laughed. “I’ll remind him he said that next time he says you fuss too much.”

“Yes, please do.” It had always been my dream to live in New York City. Our sister, Josie, moved here when she was still in high school, but I only made the move last year. And Ian and Dylan had only officially moved last week to open a subsidiary of their software company.

We were all sitting at the kitchen table in my apartment in the Bronx, enjoying three pizzas. Mine and Ian’s