“I’ve a house on the ocean about fifteen minutes from here depending on traffic, and I admit to doing a certain amount of takeout during the week,” laughed Jason.
Claire was pleasantly surprised that Jason seemed so normal. He was no doubt a millionaire yet talking with him like this you’d never know that. Most people in his position would have a cook or someone responsible for taking care of the details of his life such as his meals but Jason seemed to be completely self-sufficient. Even at the office he never expected to be waited on. He went to the cafeteria for his own food or coffee and didn’t ask Claire to run any type of personal errands for him.
She knew that Jason was wealthy of course but there was never actually anything flashy that reminded you of that fact, well maybe the Mercedes. Somehow, that made her respect him even more. After working for him for three years, she still felt like she’d never really known Jason, the man. With Suzy’s revelations about his generosity, Claire was more intrigued than she would care to admit. How could someone as accomplished and powerful as Jason also be the man sitting beside her in a quiet, low key Italian restaurant?
Jason the tycoon and object of various fantasies over the years was safe. The Jason she’d gotten to know over the last few weeks was oh so dangerous to her. This was a man whom she could lose her head over and her heart too if she wasn’t very careful. Was it already too late to save herself and did she even want to anymore?
Claire noticed Jason studying her intently across the table and felt her cheeks flush. “You look beautiful tonight Claire, blue suits you,” said Jason.
“Thanks, you look beautiful too, I… I mean; you look nice,” stammered Claire. Oh great, I’m treating a business dinner like my senior prom, and I just told my boss that he looked beautiful. Please table, open up and swallow me now.
With a grin, Jason replied, “I liked the beautiful comment best.”
Embarrassed, Claire asked, “What did you want to go over tonight?” She reached for her purse and pulled out a small notebook and pen then looked at Jason expectantly.
“Let’s wait on business until after dinner, shall we?” asked Jason. “It’s been a very long day, and I could use some time to relax if that’s ok.” Claire studied him noticing the signs of fatigue around his eyes. He always made everything seem so effortless, and his energy seemed to be limitless but possibly this merger was starting to wear on him. She’d no doubt he was putting in more hours in the evening after he left the office than anyone was aware.
Tenderness flickered to life in her chest as she gently said, “That sounds great; I know you must be tired.”
“You have no idea; I love nothing better than putting a deal together, but this particular one has come close to consuming my life. I look forward to a much-needed break after this closes.”
“When do you think that will be?” asked Claire.
“Within the next few months barring any other last minute issues,” replied Jason.
“That reminds me,” began Claire awkwardly, “I asked Suzy about this weekend and she… already has plans.”
Jason smiled as he picked up on the hesitation in her voice and said, “Told you no way, huh?”
A laugh sputtered out of Claire as she said, “You really do know Suzy well don’t you?”
“Yes and I’m betting her answer was a bit more graphic than you’re letting on.”
“After her recent breakup, I don’t think she’s ready to get back out there again yet,” said Claire. Plus she thinks Grayson is a tight ass and not in a good way.
“Grayson does seem very interested in her,” said Jason. “He’s a good guy and will be in the office quite a lot after the merger.”
With a smile, Claire said, “He seems a little… normal for her so I’m not sure anything would ever come of it.”
“Well stranger things have happened so let’s leave it to fate, shall we?” The waiter delivered their lasagna and a basket of fresh bread, and soon they were both enjoying their meal and Claire was finding it harder to remember this wasn’t a date.
~~~
Jason looked across the table at Claire as she laughed and picked the fork up from her lap. Mishaps did seem to follow her wherever she went. First, she’d arrived for dinner with her toe bandaged and was painfully hobbling towards the door when he reached her in the parking lot and now when gesturing with her fork while talking, she’d somehow flipped it from her hands and up in the air, finally landing it in her lap.