“Trying to make sure you’re a man of your word. I want to walk you through the proposal and take any questions you may have on the spot. That’s door-to-door treatment for ya.” Her lips were quivering, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
“Can I get you a drink? You look like you’ve just walked out of the arctic. Is it really that cold out?” I asked, and at that time noticed that she had her own little private focus. I looked down at her eye-level view and realized she was gazing into my chest.
“Pardon me for being indisposed. I wasn’t exactly expecting company. Were you doubtful that I’d read the proposal in good timing?”
She licked her lips just before snapping out of her lustful trance. “Errrrm…good timing is a subjective phrase. I want the job, Azmir.” Her words seemed to have a double meaning, but I still wasn’t prepared to go there.
“How did you even know where I was staying?” I couldn’t help my clipped tone. I wasn’t too keen on surprise visits.
“Your friends, Mark and Eric, told me.” She sucked her teeth and clapped her pumps into the floor while flaunting her bright smile. “C’mon, Jacobs! I promised Shayna that I could deliver on the Cobalt launch. Don’t make a liar out of me!” It was like a teenaged daughter begging her doting father for a new car.
Without a smile, I relented, “Come on in.” I led her to the television room. “I was actually just working on the proposal and made a few notes. I guess we can go over some seeing that you are so earnest in your pursuit.” I didn’t think this was the best idea and didn’t like being hustled, but I couldn’t knock the persistence of budding entrepreneurs. “Have a seat. I’ll go slip on something more appropriate to discuss business,” I informed as I made my way out of the room.
“Or we can discuss anything that calls for your current dress code,” she purred slickly and added a wink.
I shook my head and headed to my room. When I’d returned, I noticed she had fixed herself a glass of brandy and was casually sipping it, quite comfortably nestled in the single sofa chair. This woman was dangerous. My buzz had become an inconvenient truth.
We’d been talking for nearly thirty minutes and as promised, Dawn answered all of my questions satisfactorily. I still had more thinking to do. Unbeknownst to her, I had a second proposal that I was expecting in the next couple of days. Taylor & Bacote Planning and Public Relations Corp. was ahead of the curb because they acted expeditiously.
“You keep nodding and saying, ‘Umm…hmmm’ but not giving much feedback. I’m going insane over here. Give me something!” she trilled in exasperation, gesturing with her hands midair. Her agenda-consumed smile never left her face, which always concerned me. There was something behind her eyes.
“Poker-face, Ms. Talyor. You should develop one,” I murmured before pouring myself another glass.
“That you do so well,” she murmured pensively while fixing her gaze on something towards the floor. She licked her lips before speaking again. “Tell me, Mr. Jacobs, why have you been ignoring my texts and advances?”
Bingo! ...though I was slightly confused. I didn’t recall ignoring any texts, I’d never received any from her.
“The advances can’t be ignored, but what texts are we referring to?” My expression was quizzical.
“The ones in Vegas when I invited you to lunch. You never responded.” She looked unusually bashful, causing me to believe she was dead ass serious.
“That’s because I never got them,” I offered, reclining back in my seat, stretching my arms out on either side of me.
“You know lying is such an undesirable trait.” Her eyes were squinted and her voice icy.