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We step inside the lift, and I say with anger, “Now nobody will like me by default.”
He grins. “I’m sure you’re used to that already. It may have escaped your notice, but we’re worryingly alike and I’m guessing you haven’t made many friends here, anyway.”
“I have.” I bristle with indignation.
“Who?” He smirks and I snap. “There’s Rory and Adam.”
“Who are they?” I notice a sharp gleam in his eye that tells me I’ve hit a nerve, making me say smugly, “Rory, from men’s gifts and Adam from accounts. Oh yes, they wasted no time in befriending me and inviting me for drinks to their exclusive club.”
“What club?” Luckily, the door opens, giving me the escape I need, and I stride out, saying over my shoulder, “Hurry up, babe, we only get one hour, remember?”
The expression on the woman’s face who is waiting outside makes me laugh inside as she openly stares at our CEO who is almost running to keep up and a surge of power shoots through me as I understand the benefits of being in my position.
In fact, despite appearances, I experienced a warm fuzzy glow that shocked me more than anything when he stood in the doorway and gazed at me with those soul shattering eyes, the endearment dripping from his lips as if it belonged there.
Maybe I should bask in the glory this ruse brings with it. Perhaps I should enjoy a hot man’s attention with no strings attached. It could make this job bearable and what’s so bad about it, anyway?
* * *
Rather than headto the car, Robert falls into step beside me, and we brace ourselves for the short chilling walk to the bistro nearby. I’ve seen it as I stride past to reach the delicatessen on the corner and often wondered who could afford the luxury of a proper meal at lunchtime. Now I’m one of them and as we head into the warm, calm atmosphere of a place that is definitely out of my league, I am strangely looking forward to spending the next hour with the gentleman who has grown uncharacteristically quiet beside me.
“Sir, madam, your table is ready.”
The maitre d almost bows, causing me to blink in astonishment. It’s almost as if he’s expecting us and I glance at Robert who appears to have recovered his arrogance, judging from the self-satisfied smirk on his face as he reaches out and slips his arm around my waist and whispers, “After you, darling.”
I notice the expressions of a couple of women who are definitely not snatching a quick lunch, judging from the bottle of champagne in an ice bucket and the glazed appearance of two ladies who do this often.
However, the envy on their faces causes an inner glow to spread like rapid fire inside me and the reason for it is standing right here and so I smile flirtatiously, loving the surprise in Robert’s eyes as I purr, “Oh darling, you do spoil me.”
It almost makes me laugh out loud at the expression on his face and as I glide through the restaurant, I lap up the attention like a famous actress on the red carpet.
I could get used to this, which worries me. Luxury appears to be my new best friend and as the maitre d and his staff fawn over us, I hate that I love every second of it.
Robert is attentive and gazing at me as if I’m his one true love causing me to constantly remind myself that it’s all an act. Although I’m a little surprised we’re here at all because surely the postman doesn’t dine in five-star luxury but then again, he could be anyone.
As we sit and eat a risotto unlike anything I have ever tasted before, I discover that Robert is easy company, despite what I first thought. He is attentive, funny and loaded with good conversation and the hour flashes past so quickly, I’m surprised when he stands and says ruefully, “We should get back. I have a meeting at two and I expect they are already waiting.”
“Yes, of course.”
I scramble to my feet and realise that for the first time in what seems like forever, I completely forgot about work for just the briefest amount of time.
As we walk to the door, I’m surprised to hear a loud, “Darling, what a coincidence.”
“What the…” Robert spins around, and I follow his gaze to see a man and woman sitting in the alcove, staring at us with beaming smiles.
Robert sighs heavily and whispers, “I’m sorry about this.”
“Sorry about what?”
I’m confused as he grips my hand hard and pulls me across to stand beside their table and the way they both assess me with curious glances makes me wonder just who they are.
My question is soon answered as Robert says wearily, “Jessica, meet my parents, Sable and David.”
I stare in surprise at the rather glamorous woman beaming at me and then her husband, who appears to be enjoying a private joke.
“Darling, I’m so pleased to meet you. Robert never said he was dating anyone.”
She throws him an amused look as Robert, to my surprise, pulls me closer and drops a light kiss on the side of my face before saying sweetly, “Its early days but going well.”
