I looked at the dude who’d grabbed her attention. He appeared to be about ten years older than her, but by the way he damn near hovered over her, it stirred something uncomfortable in my chest. When she threw her head back laughing at something he said, my hands twisted in my pockets. A few moments later, the conversation was over as the guy caught the elevator up and Chanel pivoted toward the front door. Her eyes remained downcast as she tucked some of her hair behind her ear. When she finally looked up, her eyes widened as they landed directly on me.
I grinned.
“You said I was the one following you, but I’m pretty sure this is the second time I’ve seen you atmyplace of work, so it has to be the other way around,” she teased.
“What if it is?” I countered.
“Then we’re going to have to do something about that.”
“Such as?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Giving your picture to security.”
I let out a belly laugh at that.
“Considering the amount of money I pay my financial advisors who work in this building, I doubt they’d take too kindly to that.”
She shrugged. “They’ll deal.”
I chuckled. “If you say so. It’s a little early to be leaving work, isn’t it?” I asked, checking my watch. It was only after two in the afternoon.
“Definitely too early for that, but I’m just grabbing a late lunch.”
“Damn, they got you working like that? Can’t even get lunch at a decent hour?” I shook my head playfully.
“It is what it is.”
“I’m glad I ran into you, though. How’d your client from Friday make out?” That’d also been on my mind since Friday night. I sincerely hoped Chanel hadn’t taken it upon herself to intervene in any more domestic issues.
She shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She looked me square in my face.
“Oh, so we’re doing that, huh?”
She shrugged again. “Have to. It’s called attorn—”
“Attorney-client privilege. I know. I do have my own lawyers. Plus, my best friend is a pretty decent attorney in his own right. Maybe you’ve heard of him, Jason Combs?”
She shook her head, turning her lips downward. “Can’t say that I have, but if he’s any good, I should hear about him soon enough.”
I busted out laughing. “I should tell my boy you played him like that.”
She waved a hand.
“Where’re you going for lunch?”
“Just going to grab a salad from the deli a few buildings down, nothing fancy.”
“Cool, I’ll walk you.” I stepped closer, placing my hand on the small of her back, urging her to walk through the turnstile door ahead of me. She hesitated for a moment, then must’ve thought better of it. I shook my head at her stubbornness. This one was going to keep me on my toes.
“I got it,” I told the cashier a few moments later as I paid for both our salads and drinks. Since it was well past the lunch hour rush, Richie’s Deli was pretty empty. With both my and Chanel’s food, I found a table by the window to sit. When I noticed Chanel just standing there, I gave her a questioning look.
“I was just going to grab my lunch and head back to the office,” she explained.
“What? Can't you take forty-five minutes out to even eat? Do you have a meeting you need to rush to get back to?”
Her eyelids lowered briefly before she looked back at me, and I knew the answer before she opened her mouth.
“Good, then you can sit and eat. You’re already two hours past lunch time; I’m sure a few minutes to sit and eat won’t hurt.” I moved to pull out her chair, and she slowly lowered herself into it. “Was that so hard?” I questioned, once I found my seat.
