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The most outstanding feature of the space was the floor-to-ceiling windows that covered the whole north wall. The view those windows gave of the concrete jungle below was breathtaking, and it complimented the modern design elements of his office. A large light-wood desk dominated the west wall of the room, while between it and the door was a seating area characterized by comfortable yet expensive gray couches, a glass coffee table, and a gray and white rug.
A lot of money had gone into setting this office up.
“Looks like someone moved up in life,” Chess commented with more than a hint of envy in her voice as she looked around the spacious room.
“Hey, what can I say?” Tazeem stood from the seat behind his desk to welcome her. “You weren’t the only one who grew up.”
Again with the growing up! Was he trying to remind how well he was doing with their bet?
Annoyance in her fast steps, she crossed the room and slapped the documents she’d brought with her on his desk. “Sign.”
“Has Elliot signed?” Tazeem asked as he picked the envelope up.
“No, we’ll get them to him tomorrow.” Chess took a seat opposite him.
Tazeem smirked. “Glad to know you thought of me first.”
“Tsk!” Chess kissed her teeth. Was this man incapable of letting an opportunity to flirt pass him by?
“Let me see,” Tazeem mumbled under his breath as he settled in his seat and took out the documents from the envelope.
Though Chess was impatient to get the contract signed, she sat quietly and patiently as Tazeem read over the document.
“Wait!” he frowned as his eyes roved the pictures that she’d attached to the contract. “This isn’t the venue we viewed.”
“No, it isn’t,” Chess admitted. “The booking with Casa de Flores went sideways so we had to find an alternative quickly. I’ve attached pictures and quotations for the new place, and as you can see that place is just as good as Casa de Flores if not better.”
Her response wasn’t enough for a shrewd businessman like Tazeem.
His eyes narrowed and he sat back in his seat. “Exactly how did it go sideways?”
Chess wasn’t dumb enough to air Synovent’s dirty laundry in public. So, she hedged, “There was some miscommunication on our end about the dates for the show. But you don’t have to worry about that happening again. We were very clear with the new venue about the dates and what we need from them.”
“Bullshit!” Tazeem guffawed. “The Chess I know would never be unprofessional enough to not countercheck the details of a project she’s working on. You’re too anal about that kind of stuff. Tell me the truth. What really happened?”
“As I said,” she insisted bullishly, “there was some miscommunication-”
“Miscommunication, my ass!” Tazeem cut her off with a raised hand. “I’ll drop it, but are you sure this place is just as good as Casa de Flores?”
“Felicity went with Elliot to check it out this afternoon, and Elliot approved.” Chess offered, “If you need to see for yourself before approving, I think I have a brief video of the walk-through they did. I can email it to you.”
“There’s no need for that.” Tazeem grabbed a pen. “If you, Felicity and Elliot all think that it’s a good alternative then let’s go with it.”
With flourish, he signed the contract.
“Thank you.” Grinning because of a well-done job, Chess took the documents and stuffed them back into the envelope.
Tazeem, who was watching her keenly, murmured, “I love it when you smile. You’re already pretty but when you smile… aah!”
The compliment came from so far out of left field that she was rendered speechless for a second. For some strange reason, her heart sped up and her mouth dried up. She ached to shift around in her seat a little to ease the sudden tightness in her lower tummy and the heat that was slowly warming her.
When she found her voice, all she could manage was a breathless, “Okay?”
“You haven’t asked,” he said.
“Haven’t asked what?”
“You haven’t asked if I’ve slept with anyone,” he reminded her.
