Calli wrinkled her nose and looked down. Where the hell had Dom found this one? Recalling the minimalist condition of his loft, she didn’t seem to fit his idea of business or pleasure. Calli decided she must be one very talented personal assistant . . . or maybe it had to do with the mouth she highlighted in glossy red.
Calli blinked hard. Stop it. You don’t have a right to be jealous, she told herself as she closed the door. Sitting at the far end of the six-person table, Calli kicked off the meeting. “In your folders, there is an agenda. Since I am new to the account, I’d like you to provide an overview of how you feel the management of your accounts have been handled so far. What you’d like to see continued and what you’d like to see changed.” She waited.
Dom sighed, then straightened and started discussing the history of his investments. As he talked, Pauline leaned closer and closer. Calli tried to ignore her. She’d seen this relationship before with Bennett’s string of personal assistants. It was amazing that her ex had never ended up with Human Resources on his case for his inappropriate behavior with his youngs and leggies, as Calli had come to know them.
When Dom finished, Calli said, “I’ve done some research on the latest trends in restaurant investments. It seems that there are some up-and-coming chains that might be worth considering.”
Dom held up a hand. “Calli, you’ve eaten at Moretti’s, true?”
“Yes.” She swallowed.
“Have you watched The Dinner Shark at all?”
“Uh, no.” Well, she’d scanned past it once. It was an excellent question though. She should have watched it before now to try to educate herself about his career and investments.
Pauline laughed, then said, “Oh . . . ” dragging it out this time as if she felt sorry for Calli. “You should probably do that, sweets. It’s as entertaining as it is educational.” She stuck the end of the pen between her teeth.
Calli scanned both Dom and Joe for their reactions. Either they were accustomed to this strange woman or they were better able to hide their reactions than she felt capable of at the moment. Calli had met Dom’s lawyer at the gym. Here, now, Joe sat silently, holding the pen at each end with one hand and observing the room as everyone talked . . . the exact portrait of a competent, professional, unflappable lawyer. Him, she liked. Pauline, not so much.
Dom rubbed his chin and nearly rolled his eyes as he said, “Anyway,”—he paused emphatically, glancing at his PA—“I’m not sure about the education value but it would be good information for you to have about my investment strategies. You might say that I enjoy quality over quantity. Though, I think you’re aware of that.”
Pauline stifled a little gasp at Dom’s insinuation and Calli’s cheeks grew hot. She quickly moved on to the next topic. “Joe, can you share the legal risks around Dom’s investment strategies, his current investments, and any that are being presently evaluated?”
When Joe had completed his summary, Calli turned to Pauline. “Do you have Mr. Moretti’s cash position available?”
“Oh, yes.” Again, she went digging in the canyon that was her purse and brought out a stack of papers that had suffered some corner damage from the trip inside Pauline’s bag.
Calli reached across the table and accepted the reports. “I’ll need some time to review these. Are there any new investments on your immediate horizon?” she asked.
“Actually, yes,” Dom said. “There’s a rumor about a Mediterranean diner—tiny little place—that recently popped up in New York. Apparently, it’s owned by a young man from Greece who has been experimenting with some interesting blends. I’m traveling there next week. Would you like to come along?”
“Ahh, I don’t think that’s necessary.” Calli blushed again and checked the agenda. She quickly covered a few more items and adjourned the meeting twelve minutes early. She quickly shook hands with Joe and Pauline, then Dom. He held her hand longer than necessary, until she pulled away.
“We do have a meeting next Tuesday, correct?” he asked.
“I believe so.”
“And I trust that you’ll study up before then.” Dom slid on his thigh-length navy-blue coat and secured it around his waist. “I’ll also send you some more information about what I consider a great investment.”
Pauline cut in. “I can handle that for you, Dom.”
He didn’t take his eyes off Calli as he said, “That’s all right, Pauline. Ms. Lindley might have questions that only I’d be able to answer. Also, I think she likes dealing directly with her clients rather than with their assistants. True?”
“Yes,” Calli breathed, then blinking, recovered. “Um. Yes. That is true. I’ll look for the information. Joe, it was good to see you. Have a wonderful week.” She turned on her heel and left the room unconcerned about protocol in her present state of confused frustration and, dare she say, jealousy. The man really, really listened. It was so unlike everything she’d experienced with Bennett, but she couldn’t help envisioning the trollop in the meeting with those red lips wrapped around his . . .
“Argh!” she said aloud, then balled her fist and stomped down the hall. Fuck. Ing. Stop. It. Callista Linnea Lindley!
Chapter 25
Dom
Beast Lady’s whistle blew, and Dom sprinted. It screeched again, and he walked. Joe wasn’t in class this morning because Betsy had gone into labor the night before and delivered a healthy baby boy. Dom had stopped in first thing this morning to congratulate the happy, yet exhausted, new parents before coming to the gym alone. He hadn’t worked out alone anytime in recent memory. Joe had always been at his side—even in classes. He couldn’t say it was his favorite.
As for his professional life, it had been two weeks since the working relationship with Calli had begun, and they’d met in the offices of Moffitt & Hall twice, the second time more electrically charged if that was possible. They probably didn’t need to meet a third time but he hoped the constant contact would sway her. She was indeed learning a great deal about his world. That brought a smile to his face. Then, he’d had the opportunity to see her at the gym on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and they’d started bantering during and after Beast Lady’s classes. At the thoughts of Calli, he looked around the track to see where she was. Nice, he thought, I’ll catch her on the next sprint.
The thought wasn’t out before Trish’s whistle sounded again. He sprinted, this time with a finish line in mind. As he approached her, his fingers itched with desire to touch her bare shoulder. He only slowed when the next whistle blew but kept jogging until he reached Calli’s side. “Hi,” he said, only a little winded. “Where’s your friend today?”
“Sick. At least that’s what she said.” Calli breathed deeply. “What about Joe?”
“His wife gave birth last night.”
“Oh, that’s awesome!” Calli’s eyes lit up.
They walked in silence until the next whistle sounded. Dom matched her step to not leave her behind. At the next interval, he asked, “So, if the drills are partners today, guess we’re paired up?”