The truth is twofold. I want to do this without Dad’s input. I want to land this client and have the papers signed before I tell my dad about it. I need this to prove as much to myself that I can do it on my own without outside pressure. And I trust Jeff not to say anything.
The other part is I’d gotten a call from Drew’s estate lawyer. They need me to provide them an accounting of his investments for the trust set up for Cate. The call is like a sucker punch reminding me again Drew’s gone and never fucking coming back. And it’s another good reason not to go home.
Jeff and Mark are good guys, but they will never replace my best friend.
Jeff nods. “We’ll grab you something.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling something lodge so deep in my throat I want to choke.
I wait for him to clear my office by ten feet before I pick up the phone and dial Cate’s number.
“Ben,” she says and I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Do you have dinner plans?” She’s quiet, which is weird. “You there?”
“Yes, actually I have plans tonight.”
“It’s cool. I was just thinking …” I trail off because it isn’t right. I’m supposed to help her move on, not drag her down with my shit.
“… about Drew,” she finishes for me.
“Yeah,” I admit.
Her voice cracks and Drew would kill me for ruining her mood. “I’m sorry, Cate. I shouldn’t have called you.”
“Don’t you dare, Ben Rhoades. This is me. You’ve been there for me, I can be there for you.”
Getting to my feet, I stand by the window and look out.
“God, Cate, I miss him.”
“Me too.”
We’re quiet for a while.
“I can cancel my plans,” she offers, ever selfless Cate.
“No, I’ll be fine,” I lie.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I’ll probably grab a late dinner and crash.” Her hesitancy makes me feel more of a shit. “It’s okay. I’ve got a lot I need to get done anyway.”
A little more coaxing, including a bad joke that makes her laugh, gets her off the phone.
Sorry, man, I say to myself hoping Drew hears me before I lose myself in my computer screen.
I’m utterly immersed in work until a soft hand releases mine from my hair. Part of me knows, but can’t believe. So that’s why I end up saying, “I know, Lisa. My hair again.”
The hand drops from mine, and I look up, but it’s not Lisa.
“Samantha.”
She nods, looking spooked. The way the light filters around her, she’s a vision from heaven.
“Lisa’s a coworker of mine. She’s always giving me hell for …,” I add, holding up my hands, not sure why I feel I need to explain myself. “Why are you here? Working on our event?”
She holds up the basket. “I needed to return this to you.”
I hate the feeling of disappointment that gnaws at me. I’m the one that told her I couldn’t be with her.
“You look like you haven’t eaten,” she says.
Her eyes hold mine and I see as much confusion as excitement.
“Actually, I haven’t—”
Before I can tell her that Jeff’s bringing me something, she says, “Good, I brought lunch. I thought we could talk.”
Talk would evaporate if I allowed myself to look past her eyes at her lovely curves. “Sam, I think all that needed to be said was.”
“How would you know until you hear me out? Plus, you need to eat if you plan to conquer the world.”
That makes me smile as my stomach rumbles from the smells coming from the basket.
“Fine, a quick bite,” I say.
“Is there somewhere we can go eat?”
I pinch my chin as the conference rooms are quickly eliminated from my mind. Then I stand, thinking of the best place to go. Glancing at my watch I see that it’s half past one, most everyone would have eaten by now.
Taking her hand in mine, I lead her out the back door to a small patio with two picnic tables shaded by the building from the sun.
Reluctantly, I let her hand go as she grins at me after she glances down at our clasped hands. She sets out a spread.
“A potential catering partner brought more samples than I can possibly eat on my own. I thought I could get your take on them to help me make my decision.”
When she takes a seat next to me, my eyes are drawn to her exposed legs from the skirt she wears. I pick up one of the finger sandwiches in order not to touch her. I bite in as she watches intently. It’s actually good, better than I thought from what was essentially a deli sandwich.
“Good?” Sultry eyes land on mine.
I nod. “Your turn.”
Either I need to get laid or she is purposefully playing the sex kitten. It has to be the former because she’s made herself clear that sex isn’t on the menu for us. When she opens her mouth, I fucking almost nut in my pants imagining her mouth on me. I have to look away but end up staring at her ample cleavage. Closing my eyes, a picture of her rosy nipples all tight and wet from my tongue takes front stage behind my lids. I groan and shift in my seat to relieve the pressure.
When I open my eyes again, she’s staring at me. “What did you think?”