“An intriguing conversationalist,” I repeated, placing a hand on the table between us. “So that was all you planned this for. A little chit-chat.”
His smile widened. “Of course. What other intentions could I possibly be hiding from you? Are you drinking, by the way?”
I hadn’t actually planned on it, not after what the wine brought out the last time. But there was something so engaging about the atmosphere and Ronan’s banter that I couldn’t help but long for the buzz of alcohol to accent it all.
“Yes,” I answered. “What would you recommend? I haven’t been here before so I don’t know what’s good on the menu.”
“That depends on your palette,” he said. “Are you in the mood for something sugary and light? Bitter and woody? Sour?”
“I like the sweet stuff,” I said.
“Of course you do,” he replied, waving a waitress over with one of his annoyingly charming smiles. She was dressed in all black, with an elegant dark bun swept at the top of her head. As Ronan put my order in, I noticed the way she looked at him.
Her eyes were practically sparkling, her voice overly polite and chirpy. She wasn’t mean to me or even dismissive, which Iappreciated especially as it very much looked like Ronan and I were on a date.
But it was very clear that he wasn’t exactly lacking female attention at all.
“She seems to like you,” I mused, dropping my cheek in my palm.
“Oh? I didn’t notice,” he said. “I’m sure it’s just standard when you’re trying to secure a decent tip.”
“No, trust me, that was the look of a woman who found you very attractive,” I said, half amused.
“I’ll take your expert opinion on the matter, then,” he said simply.
My drink arrived shortly after, an aesthetic glass filled with an ombre concoction of pale pink and clear layers. Fancy garnishes topped the rim, and it was a nice balance of fun and sophistication.
“It’s gin,” he explained. “Don’t bother with learning the full name unless you plan on ordering it again, it’s one of those drinks with way more words than is necessary and half of them are not in English.”
I smiled and took a tentative sniff of the glass. It smelled delicious, boozy and botanical but just fruity enough to know it would taste good. And that it did. My first sip dragged on for a bit longer than was probably lady-like.
“Satisfied?” Ronan asked as I set it back down. He sounded like he already knew the answer but was still looking forward to the confirmation.
“It’s great,” I answered. “Amazing actually.”
He nodded in approval. With some of the liquor in my system, I was already feeling a bit more comfortable.
“I’m surprised you didn’t throw me another line. Something about a pretty drink for a pretty girl or whatever else came to mind,” I said.
He snorted. “Youarea pretty girl, but the fact that line was even a possibility in your mind lets me know you really have only ever had experience with college boys.” He leaned back in his seat, took another sip of his own drink. “Well, then, should we get the formalities out of the way first? Though I must admit, I’m rather anxious that if you get what you came for at the very beginning of the conversation, you might just choose to leave early.”
“You’d have to give me a reason to stay,” I replied.
There was a glint in his eye, the same one I caught during our dinner. I thought I was starting to understand it a bit better now. It was like he was identifying someone who was willing to play.
“Oh, that I think I can do. I’m determined to make the job at Muller & Co. the least interesting part of our conversation tonight,” he said.
The man certainly enjoyed a challenge and seemed to thrive on it.
But when he was being serious, he was serious. He went over some of the details, explained who his acquaintances were on the board and outlined the potential requirements and responsibilities I could expect were I to be selected for the role.
I listened, locked onto every word.
I asked a few questions of my own and he answered patiently. Once I had exhausted my mental list of everything I wanted to know, we moved onto our second drinks for the night.
And now, conversation had begun to turn into something less academic.
“You know, Lucas isn’t the type to be easily enchanted by anyone,” he said.
