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I’ve been stuckin meetings all morning, which means breaking for lunch was a necessity. However, meeting my sister and her way too happy wedding planner isn’t my idea of an enjoyable break in the day.
If lunch had been scheduled closer to Eli Co., I would have enjoyed the walk. Hell, I really need it. My office and the conference room where I’ve been stuck all morning are full windows, but it just makes the allure of a seventy-five-degree June day more desirable.
But the Bangkok Restaurant, where I was told to meet Nora and Cassie, is just a bit too far for a walk. I’ve got back-to-back meetings after lunch, so I can’t afford to be away from the office for much more than an hour.
My driver, Tom, picks me up at the front entrance, and I let him know where we are going. I don’t use my driver often, mostly for work-related functions. I may have been born from money and have enough to be waited on hand and foot, but it’s not my style.
I check a few emails as I wait impatiently to arrive at the Thai restaurant. I reminded Nora, again, after being forced to tag along on venue tours, that I didn't want to be a part of planning this wedding, but fuck if I'm not attending yet another meeting about my sister's wedding. Nora told me that Cassie had insisted that we meet and don’t think for one second that I didn’t argue that this wasn’t happening. I don’t have time for this shit.
Sure, Cassie is a gorgeous woman, one who seems to be fantastic at her job. I have no interest in weddings, let alone meeting up with a pushy woman to ask for my opinion on things I don’t want to have opinions on, damn it.
We turn onto Ohio Street just as I get an incoming text.
Nora:
Sorry to do this Teddy, but I won’t be able to meet for lunch.
I sigh. And she couldn’t have let me known any sooner?
Me:
I just pulled up to Bangkok.
I know. Sorry, but Cassie is there, so please still meet with her. You can answer any questions, make any decisions needed.
No.
No, please, don’t waste your and her time. I didn’t realize I overbooked.
Fuck.I don’t want to be at this lunch. Especially alone with the one woman who seems to get under my skin.
Please, pretty please, Teddy.
Fine.
I message her just as I step out onto the sidewalk. I tell Tom to come back in forty-five minutes. I’m keeping this meeting as quick as possible. Then I walk into the restaurant.
I spot Cassie immediately, in the corner, at a table for four. I wonder if she knows it will just be us. Taking advantage of the fact that she hasn't noticed my arrival yet, I take a moment to study her. She sits tall, facing the entrance, looking at her phone. She seems to be scrolling through an app as her lips tip up and her eyes glitter as she looks at what’s on her screen. There is an untouched water in front of her, but her menu is closed.
The sheer happiness that radiates off this woman irritates me. I don’t know why, but as I approach the table, what tumbles out of my mouth is unexpected.
“Let me guess, you just took the most epic selfie ever and can’t wait to share it with all your followers?” My tone takes on a mocking tone and immediately I want to take it back. Damn I’m an asshole.
To her credit, she doesn’t even bat an eye at my rudeness. Her face turns up toward me and she smiles. “Well, good afternoon to you too, Mr. Abbot.” She puts her phone down on the table and gestures toward the seat across from her. “Please, have a seat.”
And I do, begrudgingly, because being around this woman causes me to not just be my normal grouchy self, but clearly a prick as well.
As I take my seat, she slides her phone into her bag that sits on the floor next to her chair.
I clear my throat, my attempt to shake myself out of my head. “Nora won’t be joining us. I assume you already know.”
Now this does give her pause. Her brows dip. “No, I didn’t know. She didn’t…” her voice trails as a faint ding from her phone sounds from below. In the few times I’ve seen this woman, I think this is the first time I’ve ever not seen a smile on her face. She studies her smartwatch, clearly reading the message that just came in, her elbows still propped elegantly on the table, as I watch her realize that it will just be us for lunch.
Her creased brows even and she plasters on a smile as she drops her hands to her lap. “Well, her timing could be improved, but you’re correct, she’s not joining us.”
I can’t stop myself before barking out a laugh. She tilts her head, her features dancing with happiness. I shut down my amusement at her words and offer a terse, “Excuse me.”
“No, that was enjoyable to watch. I didn’t know you had it in you, Mr. Abbot.”
