Free The Pitch: City Love 2 by Belinda Williams Page A

for a friends-with-benefits style of arrangement because that definitely wasn’t my thing.
    “Some quality time with a charming young woman and first offer at my next series of paintings,” Scarlett announced, like the deal was done and dusted.
    Silence followed as the rest of us contemplated Scarlett’s ridiculous plan. Eventually I decided to put an end to her madness.
    “Not to underestimate my attractiveness or your talent, Scarlett,” I said, “but what makes you think this is going to be an appealing scenario for John?”
    “Because he’s that sort of guy. He loves helping people out. Plus he loves my artwork, which he’ll only get a chance to buy if he helps to land Paul for you.”
    I swallowed painfully. This was getting absurd. Paul was my mentor and a very nice man. As attractive as I found him, I had no intention of manipulating him into having feelings for me. I told Scarlett as much.
    “That’s the thing,” Scarlett persisted. “You’re not manipulating his feelings for you, Maddy, you’re merely manipulating the situation. It’s the situation that’s preventing him from being honest with you and making a move.”
    “It still doesn’t seem right,” Cate interjected. “How would Paul feel if he found out about this plan? Not very happy, I’m guessing.”
    “And I don’t want to manipulate anything,” I told them. “If Paul is going to make a move on me, he needs to do it freely.”
    “Wrong again,” Scarlett shot back. “You’re going to make a move on him.”
    “While I’m seeing John? You really are losing it.”
    “No, of course not. After you and John have a spectacular disagreement, you’ll turn to Paul for solace,” Scarlett informed us.
    Christa started giggling at the absurdity of it all, I was guessing.
    “Shut up,” I told her, not unkindly, but she kept laughing anyway.
    “Paul won’t know what hit him when you fall into his arms,” Scarlett continued. “He won’t be able to think, he’s just going to react.”
    Cate looked appalled. “Scarlett – ”
    “Be quiet, Miss Romance. I know you don’t have the stomach for this, but Maddy does, you’ll see. She’s a businesswoman who gets what she wants.”
    Frankly, what I wanted right now was to be curled up on my lounge at home, not having this insane conversation.
    Scarlett turned to me and I was shocked by the look in her dark eyes. They held an appeal. “Maddy, please think about this. We’ve watched you work your butt off for the last four years. You deserve every success Grounded Marketing has earned so far, but you also deserve to be happy personally too.”
    “Yes, but I don’t see how forcing the situation – ”
    “I’m not finished. Ever since Chris, there hasn’t been a single guy to turn your head. Paul is the first one. In four years. You need to give this a chance. And if being a little creative is the best way to make this happen, you need to try it.”
    “By going out with another guy and deceiving Paul in the process,” I said flatly.
    “Yes,” she replied.
    “Let’s not forget things at Grounded Marketing are very intense at the moment. I’m supposed to be winning this big bank pitch,” I added, not sure why I was entertaining the idea.
    I turned to Christa for her thoughts on the situation. We were already clear on where Cate stood. “This is your fault,” I told Christa. “She’s your friend. I wouldn’t be subjected to this if you hadn’t introduced us.”
    She sighed. “I know and I’m sorry. While I think Scarlett’s evil plan is slightly over the top, I think she has a point.”
    “ Really?”
    “Really.”
    “Why on earth?”
    “Because you don’t see it, Maddy.” Christa reached over and squeezed my arm.
    I didn’t say anything, just sat waiting for her to make her point, which I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear.
    She leaned in so her blue eyes could catch mine. “Even in a work setting, you light up when you’re around him.”
    I lowered my gaze to