Chapter 6- Dinner with the Executives
1129 Words
Kate could not decide what she ought to feel. Gray had ignored her since Monday, and she was relieved but also somewhat suspicious. What kind of man bet a million dollars and then did not do anything to win? It did not seem to fit the personality of someone who had built a multinational business empire from scratch.
On the other hand, maybe a million bucks really was nothing to him, and he had no problem throwing it away on a dumb joke at her expense.
She was still in the same office, but now the plate on her door read "Senior Financial Analyst." None of her coworkers had said anything about her promotion except "congratulations," although Delaney had brought in a home baked cake. Apparently there was a pay raise that came with Kate's new responsibilities. Not that she would need it once Gray paid up. Because even if he had meant it as a prank, she planned on collecting.
"Almost done with the P and L?" Kate said, stopping by Delaney's cubicle on her way out.
Delaney nodded. "Just a couple more adjustments."
"Thanks. Send me a soft copy when you are done." She said good night and left the office.
Everett wanted the figures first thing the next morning. Kate was finding him fabulous to work for. Unlike Gray, he did not distract her with overwhelming sexuality. Not that he was not attractive, but he was just charming enough to make her like him without clouding her mind with lust. Although, he did have great shoulders.
Just before three, Everett had sent her directions to a small but excellent Italian restaurant in Wellesley. Kate knew the place; she had been there once with Arthur right before she had gone to college. Eleanor and Bianca, of course, had been too busy to spend the day with her. As usual.
The restaurant was a low, square building in the middle of an Etruscan themed shopping center, orange lights glowing inside and casting the diners into silhouette. The evening breeze toyed with an Italian flag as Kate walked up the entryway. She pulled open the heavy cherry door and was immediately greeted by a tall man, all dark, wavy hair and white teeth, who called her signorina.
She mentioned Everett's name and was led through the dining area back to a private corner where a horseshoe shaped seat wrapped around the table. Everett sat, or was it lounged, on one end of the seat. His face lit up when he saw her.
"Good evening."
She returned his smile, sat on the other side, and ordered a glass of Chianti. "Sorry I made you wait. The meeting this afternoon lasted longer than expected. How long have you been here?"
"I just sat down, actually." He sipped his red wine and gestured at the bread basket full of crusty garlic bread. "Help yourself; they just brought it out. So, everything taken care of?"
She nodded and reached for a piece. It was still warm. "Delaney should have the numbers ready by tomorrow morning."
"Excellent."
A familiar baritone voice came from behind her, and Kate's heart almost stopped. She turned around to see Gray looming over her. "What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you again too," he said in a bland tone that did not quite manage to hide his amusement. "Did not Everett tell you? It is a welcome dinner for him."
She gave her new boss a sharp glance. He responded with a smile, which somehow failed to work its magic this time. She turned back to Gray. "So, where is everybody?" She made a show of looking around. "It does not look like you invited anyone else from the office."
"Well, you are the only one who will be working closely with him." Gray sat beside her, and she had no choice but to move closer to the middle to make room. Now she was sandwiched between the two large men.
Despite her worries, Gray did not seem to want to focus his powerful sexuality on her. But her senses were so sharply attuned to his presence that it did not really matter what he did. The man had an animal magnetism that just would not quit. How could one person give off so much masculine force?
Doing her best to ignore him, she took a bite of the bread. Herbs and butter created a wonderful blend of flavors on her tongue. Gray and Everett started talking about a recent tennis match. The restaurant was too crowded for business conversation, especially anything confidential. And a lot of SDS's work fell into that category, given that the Department of Defense was the company's biggest client. She pursed her lips. Why was she here? She felt out of place and excluded, especially since she did not know anything about tennis.
When their waiter returned, everyone ordered. When had Gray and Everett figured out what they wanted? They had been chatting the whole time, their menus untouched.
Everett turned to her. "We never talked about your roles and expectations," he said. "We are consolidating the work of three people into two, so it is going to be more challenging, but also a great growth opportunity for you."
She nodded. Two people doing three people's job. Did it mean SDS did not plan to fill her old position, which was now vacant? Or maybe Gray would be leaving soon?
Everett went on with her new duties. She tried to concentrate on what he was saying, but her mind wandered to Gray. If he was only going to be around for a short while, she was glad she had not given in to him. He had undoubtedly been looking for a short fling, and that was not what she wanted right now.
Gray popped more bread into his mouth and gave her a light smile. She pointedly looked away and did her best to focus on Everett.
The waiter returned to the table with a large tray balanced on his hand. His arrival pulled Kate out of her gloomy thoughts. There was seafood pasta to be had, and it looked positively delicious, filled with the tiny peppers that she loved.
Everett's cell phone rang. "Sorry." He glanced at the caller ID. "Juliane. Guten tag." He made a face and excused himself from the table.
Kate glanced at Gray. Everett's presence had made her feel safer, but now...
"Europeans." Gray smiled. "You would think they would have more respect for our business hours."
"Maybe it is really his girlfriend. She must be very sad to see him go to America."
"I have seen his girlfriend. She will not be lonely for long." Gray took a sip of his wine. "Ever been to Europe?"
- Writer
