A Package Deal Read Online Free Page A

but she said she was going out for brunch with her friends today. I expect they got back late and Ella’s still getting ready.”  
    Wes gave him a baleful look. “Do you think she’s changed her mind?”  
    “No. I don’t.” Brad unbuttoned his jacket. “Besides, even if she had, she wouldn’t just stand us up without a word. She’s a lot classier than that, you know.”
    “I know. I know. If she has changed her mind…”
    “If she has, she has. That would suck. But she was as into it last night as we were. Surely you noticed that.”
    He glanced at the entrance and brightened up. “See, you were worried for nothing. Here she is now.”
    Ella was walking towards them and…wow. She looked even better than she did last night in a gorgeous blue dress that revealed her toned, sexy legs.
    The men stood up to greet her, and she hugged them one after the other.
    “You look gorgeous.” Wes looked like a kid in a candy store.
    “He’s right. You’re beautiful.”
    The waiter appeared just after she was seated. When he had taken her order, Brad sat back in his chair.
    “Sorry I’m a little late, guys,” Ella said. “What are you staring at?” Her cheeks started turning the prettiest shade of red under their gaze.
    “I can’t help it. The only way you could look better than you do right now is without that sexy dress on.”
    “You’ve always been a gentleman, Brad.”
    He shook his head. “Nothing but the truth.”
    Wes took Ella’s hand. “We could skip the dinner tonight.”
    The waiter placed a glass of white wine in front of Ella. Lifting her glass, she took a lengthy sip. “It took me quite awhile to get ready for tonight, Wes. I want to go.” She leaned in closer to Wes. “But we don’t need to stay too long,” she murmured.

    It wasn’t very different from last night. Same place, same people. Brad ate quickly, impatient to get up to Ella’s room. Wes was already finished eating even before he was. Brad could tell they were both thinking the same thing, about how the three of them could leave without anyone noticing. And about what would happen when they got Ella back to her room.
    Aside from that, he was bored as hell with these people. He had kept in touch with a couple of old school friends, but none of them had shown up this weekend. There wasn’t anyone else he wanted to see.  
    Not very many people had done much in the ten years since graduation. He and Wes were the ones attracting the most attention, having started their own company at just the right time to fill a development gap. The last thing he wanted to do this weekend was to talk business.
    Not a moment too soon, the staff began clearing plates and coffee and dessert came out. There was no way he needed to hear any more ideas for the next big thing. Tuning in to the conversation Wes was having with the man across the table from him, he grinned inwardly. Yeah. That idea will take off. He decided to rescue his friend.
    “Wes, don’t forget, we have that conference call tonight.”  
    Wes didn’t bat an eye. “I know. What’s the time?”
    Brad pulled his phone out of his pocket. “We have ten minutes. We’d better get going.”  
    It was their own personal escape code he and Wes had worked out to use when they needed to end something smoothly. So far they had only needed it to get out of lengthy board meetings, but it was just as good for a polite, smooth exit now.
    They said their goodbyes and Ella said nothing, raising her eyebrow quizzically. She was the only one who suspected that he was up to something.
    When they were out in the hallway, he quickly texted Ella.

    We’ll be in the lounge on the main floor. Meet us there when you’re ready to go.

    “Did you ask her to join us?” Wes wanted to know.
    Brad put his phone back into his pocket. “I told her where we’ll be waiting. She’s still having a good time with her friends. I don’t want to drag her away, but if I had to listen to any more people who