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"But then you would have been in Geneva for much the time...and I wouldn't have wanted that."
His intimate look made her stomach ball. Even though she had never given him any encouragement, or shown any signs of interest in a relationship with him, he had made certain assumptions about her.
She decided that evasive tactics were the best strategy. "There's always a certain element of chance, of luck, involved in these matters. I was lucky to have been assigned the Ashburn Portfolio. However, if you thought I could contribute to the Pascal account, I would be willing to join the team out there, for the benefit of the company." She had no intention of going anywhere further than Paris, in the near future. She was calling his bluff with one of her own.
"Quite so." His expression was tight. He'd obviously realized it wasn't going to be as easy as he'd originally thought.
Taking up the initiative, she attempted to redirect the conversation. "Incidentally, I've received a request for the end of contract meeting to be brought forward a week. I was surprised by that...I was somewhat concerned about my property investment, but seeing as you were there and let me go ahead with it...have you any comment?"
Shaking his head, he looked down at his glass. He spoke slowly as if he was thinking of something else, perhaps planning his next maneuver.
"No. Most clients tend to make a noise when they are displeased, and Adrianna's been quiet since you've been in charge." He gave her a quick smile.
"Good," she said.
"I'm aware of the revised date." He glanced up at her. "They want all the relevant staff to be present, myself included." He dismissed the subject wit a gesture of his hand. "Nothing for you to worry your head about." His tone, no doubt meant to be friendly, was unbearably patronizing.
She nodded, curtly. Now what?
He put his glass on the table. "I notice you haven't made any flying visits to Geneva, to be with Ed." His voice was low, intimate.
Aside from annoyance at his assumption about her and Ed, he was again treading a dangerous path into personal territory. And yet she didn't want to deny there was anything going on between her and Ed, in case he took that as some sort of green light. Dear god, how could he put a member of staff in such a position?
"Is there any particular reason for that, Abby?" He was staring directly at her as he urged her again. This was going to be her telling moment. It struck her how distorted this was. He was verging on sexual harassment.
She kept her look cool, distant. "The account I'm working on at the moment has to be my priority within the Robertson group. Personal matters—of any sort—should not intrude on the work one does."
He stared at her then nodded lightly, his expression frozen, revealing nothing. This was like a business negotiation to him.
"I'm glad you feel that loyalty to your work." He sat back in his chair. "Perhaps when the Ashburn Portfolio has passed the trial period and we have persuaded them to renew the contract, we can all take a breather and relax a bit more?" He gave her a questioning look, a slight hint of annoyance in his expression.
She adopted what she hoped was an efficient smile and took the chance to stand up and take her leave.
"Abby."
She turned back.
He eyed her up and down, pointed a finger at her and winked over it, as if lining her up in his sights. "Keep up the good work, kiddo, you've got style and I admire that. Remember...I'm watching you."
Patronizing and blatant—it was all Abby could manage to muster a false smile and walk out of the office without further communication.
When she got back to her own office she thought about what he'd said. What a farce, what a horrible, tawdry set up. She balked at what had gone on. He'd been the one giving her the creeps. It hadn't been Zac at all. As far as she was concerned today had dotted the i's and crossed the t's on her resignation. She stood at the window, looking out at the view. Yes, it was time to move on. Too much in her life had changed. She was ready.
Sitting down at her desk, she picked up the phone. After that ghastly business with Tom, she needed a hug. Zac was out of town. Suzanne was too close to this. Her Mum was cruising the Med. She needed to talk to someone though, and soon.
She tapped Marcy's number in to the phone.
"Hi Marcy. It's Abby."
"Hey, sweetie, how you doing?"
"Oh good, fine." She laughed, feeling suddenly exhausted. "Actually it's been a bit crazy at my end. I wondered if you wanted to do the girl thing and I'll bring some wine."
"Sounds good to me, this evening?"
"Thanks, Marcy, I appreciate it. I'll come over to yours around eight."
* * * *
