I open my mouth to speak but close it again. I take a moment because I’m tired and I’m not sure I’ve heard him correctly. He clasps his hands and smiles as if he can read my mind.
“What about…” I begin, but realize I never learned the woman’s name.
“Pet.”
I nod.
“She’ll be out of town visiting her mother this weekend. But Cate, I really like you. I won’t beat around the bush. I want to get to know you better.”
“But I work for you,” I blurt.
“Technically you don’t, and not even for appearances’ sake anymore. I’m contracting you out to write policy and procedures that are already in place. So there is no ethical reason we can’t go out.”
A flash memory of Jeff’s warning about Ted and the sight of Pet on the seat in the limo give me pause. “You seem like a decent guy, but I’m not in the business of dating men who I know are seeing other women.”
He steeples his fingers. “Why don’t we see how the night goes? I’m not opposed to putting an exclusive label on a relationship for the right woman. And we don’t have to put pressure on ourselves for the night. We’ll just see how it goes with no expectations.”
Jenna’s advice floods my head. If you’re not going to date Andy, then give someone a chance.
“Okay.”
His grin is wide and I can see him calculating his win. I almost backtrack on my agreement.
“Don’t worry about something to wear. You’re a size four I’m guessing, a thirty-six C in the chest, and a seven or eight shoe.”
My mouth drops. He’s dead on. “Size eight shoe.”
“I have your address. I’ll have something sent over on Saturday morning.”
I think about Jenna and Kenneth sending her clothes. Is that how all wealthy men operate?
“I can find something on my own to wear.”
He shakes his head. “Let me for springing this on you at the last minute.” I nod. “Then let’s go inform the team they had a spy in their midst,” he says conspiratorially.
I groan and he laughs.
The rest of the week breezes by. I spend part of the time at his office and I’m forgiven by Ted’s accounting team, but I can see the hurt and mistrust in some of their eyes. Ted e-mails them part of my report which gives a glowing review and eases some of the tension. By Friday, I almost accept an invite to hang out with Mandy but I haven’t been sleeping well, so I decline. She makes me promise I’ll go out with her next week when I inform her of my date for Saturday.
Andy hasn’t called and I’m not sure that’s a blessing or a curse. He’s obviously moved on but it hurts more than I thought it would.
Saturday comes with a winter mix falling from the sky. Undaunted by the weather, my clothes for the evening arrive as promised by Ted. I stare at the beautiful things he’s sent. The dress is black, classic, and simple, but quite stunning on. The forgiving fabric won’t show the lacy La Perla bra and panties that are included. The garter belt and thigh highs are a surprise, but then again Ted seems very detail oriented. However it’s the red-soled heels that make my heart flutter … until I reach the rectangular box. Inside there is a ribbon choker with a large onyx stone that dangles from it. The stone is crowned in tiny sparkling black jewels. There is also a matching pair of understated stud earrings. I don’t want to be dazzled by his wealth of gifts, but it’s hard not to. I probably have enough time to go out and find a dress of my own.
“Jenna, what should I do?”
Her voice is filled with humor. “Let him spoil you. He can afford it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t do it, Cate.”
What he spent is probably nothing to him. So I dress and fix my hair in an understated, yet elegant do, so it won’t compete with my outfit and jewelry. By the time I get to Ted’s limo, I feel pretty.
“Cate, you are exquisite.”
“Thanks. You’re look very handsome yourself.” And he does. He’s classically dressed in a tux with a white shirt and it suits him. “I have to say I’m a little hesitant to wear this jewelry.”
His finger brushes the stone and I have a moment to wonder if he’ll touch my skin. He moves his hand and the moment is gone. “They are expensive but not so much as you would need a body guard to wear them. And it’s my gift to you. Don’t argue. I can already see it in your eyes. I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t want to. And there are no conditions on the gifts. I don’t expect anything from you tonight. We’re just two friends out on the town.”
Hardly, but I won’t say anything. He isn’t a struggling college graduate. He’s a billionaire and whatever he’s spent on me is probably what he spends on a good bottle of wine.
I change the subject. “Are you going to tell me where we are headed?”