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Lena shook her head and ignored their question. “That dress is lovely. I wish I could wear something like that. I’d look like a giant pea right now.”
Gia smiled. “Thank you.”
“If you’re not busy tomorrow, would you like to meet for lunch?”
“That would be nice,” Gia replied.
Lena said, “How about we meet at Henderson Towers at noon? And bring that résumé with you. We can drop it off at Human Resources before we eat.”
Roger could feel Gia’s body tense in excitement, even though her voice didn’t show a hint. “That’s very sweet of you, Lena.”
“I’m not so sure about that. I’m craving spicy food lately. How do you feel about Thai?”
“Love it. However, what do you mean by spicy? Give you the sniffles or sweat-your-head-off hot?” Gia asked.
Lena snickered. “If you ask me, I’d say just hot. Ask my husband and he’d tell you otherwise.”
Brice huffed. “I suggest you don’t try whatever she orders. Not if you value your stomach.”
“It’s not that hot.”
“No. The sun is still hotter,” Brice teased.
Roger was glad to see how well Gia was getting along with Lena. That was good. Gia was going to be in good hands even after his project was complete. Hell, she might never get to it at this rate. There was no doubt that Lena was going to find something for Gia to do at Henderson Towers.
That was all good. After all, he only offered her the project to help her out. He really didn’t need or want her assistance. So why wasn’t he thrilled about this development? He wasn’t going to waste time worrying about it. Brice hired him for a job. Roger wanted to complete it and move on. He wasn’t staying in Boston any longer than he needed to. Hell, there was no damn good reason he was still there now.
“If you two will excuse us, I see someone I need to speak to,” Roger said as he ushered Gia away.
She said quickly, “I’ll see you tomorrow at noon.” Once they were out of ear shot, Gia said, “I’m confused. I thought you brought me here to mingle with them and now you’re . . . rushing me off.”
“I kept my end of the bargain. You met and now you have plans.”
“True, but you seemed . . . frustrated. Was it something I said? I guess I shouldn’t have let them believe we were—”
“Gia, you did fine.” Too good and that’s the problem.
“Then what’s wrong?”
He wasn’t going to pretend he wasn’t enjoying the feel of her soft flesh against his hand as they made their way through the crowd. “I saw an old . . . friend.”
“I thought that was just an excuse.”
It was.The fact she had picked up on it didn’t please him either. But this event was filled with people he knew. Some he’d been hoping to avoid. As Director Larry Chamblee caught a glimpse of him, he knew he had to make the first move. He extended a hand to greet him. “Director.” Then he turned to his wife. “Mrs. Chamblee, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Roger. I’m surprised to see you here. And who is the lovely woman with you?”
Roger said, “Gia Gravel, may I introduce you to Mrs. Chamblee. She bakes the best apple pie you’ll ever taste.” He didn’t want to get into how he knew them. The less Gia knew about him the better. Hell, I don’t let anyone know my shit.
“Very nice to meet you,” Gia replied.
“Well, I don’t have to worry you’re curled up in a hole somewhere anymore,” she said, giving him a wink. “Looks like you are doing . . . well.”
“I am,” he said. “It looks like another successful event.”
“Yes, but I’m getting too busy for being in charge of pulling them together. Did you hear we have two grandchildren now?”
Roger hadn’t. Not because he couldn’t keep up to date with things, but because he’d left behind anything to do with his past. That didn’t mean he didn’t support those who needed it. Keeping on the positive topic he said, “How can that be possible? It seems like you were just twenty-nine.”
