It surprised me to learn of Garrett and Hunter's dream to start a consulting agency. His eyes sparkled when he described their business plan and branding. They would start small by going after a few contracts and hiring best-in-class staff. He'd discussed potentially bringing in entry-level workers and training them on client-oriented approaches. The plans sounded similar to the models at most consulting firms, ER Wallace included.
There was no hiding that I felt honored that Garrett shared his dreams with me.
I scanned the room and looked at my watch. The time was nine-fifteen and Garrett, Lilah, and Hunter were not seated in their usual chairs. They should have arrived at the office by now.
I settled in my chair at the conference table and opened my laptop to review the day's schedule. There were a series of meetings with the audit team, a conference call with Parker, and dinner with Garrett on my calendar. I reached into my purse, pulled out my cell phone, and scrolled to Garrett's name.
Hi. Where are you?
I sent off the message and watched the status change to "Delivered." I watched the phone for a few minutes, waiting for a response. The telltale bubbles signaling that Garrett was typing an answer didn't happen. I put down my phone and focused on the day's calendar.
Lilah entered the space, cheeks flushed, and her usually straightened mahogany hair was in natural curls. She released a whoosh of air and flopped on the nearby chair.
“Hey, girl," she said. She leaned in close and whispered in my ear. "This place has been a madhouse. I've been busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. Did you hear about that two hundred thousand dollar wire transfer? This morning they walked the girl out. She's one of the financial analysts on Jeff Cagle's team. There's been a flurry of activity around it, and Hunter asked me to double-check the reconciliations. He doesn't trust Jeff. I've reached out to him about getting time on his calendar to understand and document their financial controls. He keeps blowing me off."
You don't know the half of it.
I was certain that Garrett mentioned that Jeff agreed to take part in Nic's sabotage efforts. I knew Garrett's secret, and not being able to say something was difficult, but I wouldn't betray his confidence.
"Jeff's participation is important. Continue scheduling time with him and document his responses. We'll raise this issue with Junior," I said.
The look on Lilah's face spoke volumes. We both knew that Junior was full of hot air. He would do nothing to get out of the client's good graces. If we wanted to get the information, we'd have to work together to get it.
"Will do. I'll keep you updated." She nudged and winked. "I missed you on the flights. I think we both agree that this isn't the time or place to discuss it. Dinner tonight?"
"I have plans." I tried to stifle my uncontrollable smile. "How about lunch?"
"Plans." She parroted in a dead-on impression. "I get it. Lunch works for me. There's so much that we need to share. I'll put time on your calendar, and we can discuss later."
"Perfect."
Garrett arrived in the conference room a few minutes ahead of our ten-thirty daily status meeting. Worry etched his handsome features as he pulled a chair next to mine. We both paused for a second and looked around the conference room. The team members were too distracted playing a group SOS game on the whiteboard.
I turned the laptop toward him. He leaned in closer and peered at the screen then turned to me. Being stealth-like, he moved his leg alongside mine until we touched.
"How are you?" His eyes softened as they searched my face.
"I'm okay. You look like hell." My fingers ached to reach out and stroke his stubbled chin. After the events of this weekend, I felt closer to him than I ever imagined.
"Thanks. I'm better now." He smiled. "I met with Nic. As expected, it angered her that I didn't drop everything to manage the invoice screw up. She expected me to come in on my day off and fix it. Hunter had it under control; I didn't need to step in. I explained it was a personnel matter and not a technology issue. She didn't agree."
"She's in over her head." I rolled my eyes before returning to his. "What do you need from me? Are you hungry?"
"For you."
My heart flipped, and the hard to ignore throbbing returned.
"You promised that you would feed me." I reminded him of our dinner plans.
"I'll make sure your mouth is full."
"I'm sure you will."
"A lot is going on. I'll be in and out of meetings. I wanted to see your face." He stroked a finger across my hand. "I wish I could kiss you."
We sat in the center of the crowded Italian restaurant, a bottle of Chianti rested between us. I gazed across the table at him. We'd both inhaled gigantic plates of lobster ravioli along with a side of broccolini.
"You pick the best restaurants. I'm excited for the cannoli cake. I can't wait to tell Lilah about it."
"What does Lilah think of us?"
"She called it from the start. What about Hunter?"
"He doesn't know, but he likely suspects. He's always spoken fondly of you, but not as much as I feel for you."
Those intimate words made me glow from the inside.
Our waitress returned to the table and placed the massive slice of cake in the center of the table. I grabbed a fork and stuck it in the moist layers of vanilla cake. I raised the fork to my lips and paused.
"Don't make me eat this alone." I placed the fork on the plate and switched seats to sit closer to him. "The first piece is for you. A small thank you for keeping me hopped up on French pressed coffee. I look forward to it daily."
I lifted the fork, and he opened his perfectly shaped lips to accept the morsel. He chewed while I forked a sliver of cake and placed it in my mouth. The perfectly baked cake was delicious and light. We both moaned as we chewed. Because I could be dramatic for cake, my eyes fluttered shut. Garrett reached for my hand and brought it to his mouth. Looking into my eyes, he kissed my palm. My thumb traced his cheek, and he leaned into it before placing my hand to his heart. The fast rhythm fluttered beneath my palm. I imagined the sweet tinge of vanilla, sweet cream, and toasted almonds on his tongue. The crowded restaurant was the only reason I didn't wrap my arms around him and pull him in for a kiss.
"I had a shitty day. We walked out that financial analyst. She sobbed while Jeff and I watched her pack up her desk. No matter how many times it happens, firing an employee is never easy." He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm not sure if you realize how happy I am that you are here. Thank you."
Concealed by the white tablecloth, Garrett's hand found my knee and squeezed. We were so engaged in gazing at each other that I didn't see the slender brunette approaching our table.
"Look who it is. Garrett Hamilton." She squealed in a tone that was everything fake and forced. She turned to me and sang, "Oh. And it's Jasmine Carmichael. Fancy seeing you two here. Seated so closely."
I looked into the eyes of Nic Sewell. Her mouth curled into a grin of pure devilment, which didn't reach her eyes. For some curious reason, our presence pissed her off.
A disapproving scowl darkened Garrett's features. He removed his hand from my knee and shifted in his seat. He was uncomfortable, or if he felt like I felt, discomfort wasn't the word. I was close to fucking losing it. Anyone with eyes could see that Garrett and I weren't having a friendly work dinner. We were on a date, after which he would go back to my hotel room and fuck me senseless.