Unapologetically, he shrugged.“Erin speaks highly of you, and so does Connor.I had to meet you.”He extended his hand.
She put down the bag and took it—his grip was strong, but not overly so…welcoming.
Conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Thompson.
He put down the tray on the small table.After pouring a cup for Lara, he carried it and a biscotti to her.
“No cream and sugar?”Nathan asked.
“The lady is tough,” Thompson replied.
Nathan and Connor exchanged shrugs.
“Cup for you, Mr.Nathan?I did bring cream.”
“My brother was just leaving,” Connor said.
“Can I have one of those cookies?”Nathan asked.
“It’s a biscotti,” Thompson corrected.“Chocolate chip or almond?”
“Both.”
Connor sighed and took his seat behind the desk.Nathan sat back.Enjoying the exchange, Lara hid her grin behind the cup.It appeared that Nathan was just as stubborn as his brother, and she liked that.
“Are you still jittery from earlier, sir?”Thompson asked as he gave Nathan a cup, saucer and a small pile of biscuits.
“I’m switching to Scotch,” Connor said.“And that doesn’t go with cookies.”
His annoyance was charming, showing her the dynamic with his family and employee.He might be a bit sarcastic, but he wasn’t short or unkind.
Lara dunked her biscotti in the coffee and savored the bite.“I was serious yesterday.If you’re ever looking for a new job, please call me.Name your price.”
“Thompson, contact Erin.In fact, bring the lawyers in.I need to amend your employment contract.I want the option to match any other offer you receive.”
Thompson grinned before leaving, closing the door behind him.
“And as for you, future wife, we can change our agreement, as well.There shall be no stealing my employees.”
“What’s yours is ours, I thought?”she replied cheekily.
“You’re fortunate we have company.”
“Oh, go ahead,” Nathan encouraged.“I’ll enjoy the show.”
“Why are you still here?”Connor asked.“Other than eating my cookies and drinking my coffee?”
Unapologetically, Nathan took a bite from his second biscotti.
“When you arrived, Nathan was reminding me that we have a family get-together on Sunday morning for my mother’s birthday.We think it’s a good idea for you to accompany me.”
She put down her cup and saucer and glanced between the brothers.As much as she might have preferred to keep the discussion between them, she realized there were very real strategic considerations.No matter how much she’d thought she’d prepared for this, she couldn’t have thought through everything.“We have some details we need to work through,” she replied, making no promises.
“There’s my cue to leave,” Nathan said.
“There’ve been many that you’ve missed,” Connor replied.
“Oh.You wanted to be alone?Why didn’t you say so?”After shooting her a disarming grin, he finished his coffee.“Hope to see you Sunday, Lara.”Any further conversation was cut off when Connor showed Nathan out.
