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I pressed a finger to my cheek. “I read in the New York Post a while back, Jonas is separated from his wife and doesn’t live here anymore.”
“Old news,” he interrupted me. “His wife, Dani, acquired the Dakota apartment on the Upper Westside and lives there with their son, Paul.”
I shrugged. “Sorry.”
“Don’t fret. I’ve got a better idea.”
I lifted my brows. “Oh? The fact that he’s no longer in New York and we have a limited budget for travel isn’t a concern?”
His lips twitched. “My sources say he’s been staying at the Waldorf Astoria twice a month for the past three months.” He awaited my adoration, which I gave to him in spades, along with a dose of pride.
I sat up straighter. “You’re brilliant, Gregor, but is Jonas that regimented? I mean, he met the Dalai Lama, dined at the White House, and trekked in Kenya.”
Gregor smirked, as we both mused over my showing off research skills to make up for a lack of stalk-worthy contributions.
“Jonas is not only regimented, but downright predictable lately.” He smugly grinned.
I sighed. I hated when he dragged everything out for extra effect, and was relieved when he picked up his tablet, indicating he was ready to tell me.
“Jonas Crane will be sitting in Sir Harry’s bar around nine tonight, drinking Scotch, when he will spontaneously meet a beautiful lady from Arch,” he said.
My eyes widened as the realization set in that his gaze was fixed on me. “Me? Surely you don’t mean me. Mia would be better suited.”
Mia and Seth from marketing were his go-to persons for these fishing expeditions, as they had no qualms in getting the business by any means necessary. Not to mention the fact they both looked like models and were ambitious, an intoxicating combination for most people.
His mouth turned up in the corner. “Mia couldn’t get a man like Crane. We’ve crossed paths, and I doubt he’s changed that much.”
I arched my brows. “Really? I doubt he’d even notice me.”
“Oh ye of low self-esteem. If I looked like you, I’d be sitting in Sir Harry’s, but I don’t, so you’re the one. You’re better suited for this. Trust me.”
We sat there staring at each other as silence grew between us. Gregor had done as much with past clients. And his divorce, though a sore spot for him, had been a marriage from one of his client trysts. So he wasn’t asking me to do anything he hadn’t done himself.
His thoughts on my ability to attract the target were reassuring after the recent end of my engagement. Nonetheless, I doubted my five-seven height and curvy figure would get me past “hello” with a guy like Jonas Crane. And even if my appearance somehow landed me an opener, what was supposed to come after? I didn’t say anything Gregor didn’t already take into consideration when choosing me and from his apt gaze, my lacking confidence wasn’t dissuading him.
I narrowed my brows. “I know nothing about sales. What if I mess things up for Arch?”
His lips curved up. “That’s why you’re perfect. Well, that and the fact that you’re… beautiful.”
My mouth dropped open and I laughed. “Oh how the compliments are flowing when you want something.”
“Lily, I’m still your boss,” Gregor said with a slight irritation in his tone.
“Yes. Sorry, Mr. Worton.” I brought my hand up to cover my lips, swallowing my smile.
He turned his head hiding his grin. “As I was saying. You’re pretty, but you still need to look the part. So, take the rest of the afternoon off. Get your bitchy roommate to help you, but for god sake, go alone.”
I dropped my notepad. “Downgraded from beautiful already.” I couldn’t help but mutter, but the stern set to his jaw this time sobered me, though the twinkle in his eye shone. As for my roommate Natasha, a blonde stunner, she might easily derail the situation, especially if she caught a whiff of wealth.
I chewed my bottom lip and stared at Gregor, noting the wear around his eyes. He had put so much into this company’s success. He only expected me to attempt to speak with Jonas Crane. If he refused, at least I tried, and thereby fulfilled my part on his quest for new business. “I’ll do my best,” I said.
Gregor exhaled. “I have no doubt you will, you always do. But,” he paused, “this will be different. Jonas Crane is going to want to do more than just talk with you.” His lips pressed together.
My lips parted. “How can you be so sure? He’s twelve years older than me. Urbane. I doubt he would be interested in anything sexual with me….” I let the words die off as our eyes met.
A strange expression crossed his face. “Some temptations are impossible to resist,” Gregor said. He cleared his throat, “I’m talking about Crane.”
He displayed his Rolex. “You have seven hours. Just start with a drink and chat,” he said. “He’ll enjoy talking with you.”
