When I got to the restaurant, Rhett was already waiting inside. I stared through the massive windows, drinking in the sight of him. He looked even better than when I saw him last. He had always been built, but the way he filled out his suit made me take a step back. This was a bad idea, one that just wouldn’t work. I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t ready. What if he didn’t recognize me? Or what if he did and remembered the last time he saw me? I couldn’t decide which option was worse.
But giving up now would be stupid. And a waste of gas. I had just driven two hours to get here. And I owed it to Cassie to get in there and sell the shit out of her company. Because she was a genius and deserved every bit of success. I believed in her and I knew she needed to get a few more big clients before she could expand. And Rhett could be one of them. She would do anything for me, and I would do the same for her. Seeing Rhett again was going to be fine. I could do this one thing for my best friend. I could do this.
Mind made up, I pushed my chest out, made sure my hair was somewhat tamed, double-checked that my ass wasn’t hanging out of my skirt and went inside.
I followed the hostess to the table, nervous and more than a little scared. My hands were starting to sweat, and I wiped them on my skirt. Nothing worse than a sweaty handshake. Wait, would he want to shake hands if he recognized me? Or would he hug me? Should I kiss him on the cheek?
“Emmi?” his deep voice asked, the timbre thrumming through my body. My gaze met his and my mouth opened and closed, unable to form words. I guess that answers the question of whether he would recognize me. He looked shell-shocked, his gaze fixed on me. His beautiful face was drawn tight, his hands clenched at his side. I nearly sighed at the sight of him, like a teenager with a crush. How did I manage to become even more attracted to him? His dark hair was a bit shorter than he used to wear it but still long enough to run a hand through. His eyes were as green as ever, following me through the room as I approached.
“Rhett,” I said, my voice barely audible among the restaurant noise.
“Holy shit, it really is you.” I had barely made it to him when I found myself pressed to his chest. Yup, just as firm and comfortable as it looked. I took a whiff of his cologne while I was there, never one to waste an opportunity. He held me for longer than was considered a normal nice to see you hug but then again I wasn’t complaining. His hug felt like coming home.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, pulling back but still holding on to my arms, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. And boy did I still like it when he looked at me.
“I’m here for your meeting. Cassie…Cassandra couldn’t make it. I kind of double-booked her. Sorry.”
“You work with Cassandra? I thought you were going to study nursing? Did you change your mind?” And there he went with his big brain that remembered everything. I should have known. Which also meant he’d remember our last encounter. I could feel my cheeks heat at the thought.
“I was studying nursing but something came up. So now I’m working with Cassandra. It’s a great job. Fantastic company. You’ll love what Cassandra has come up with for you.”
He let go of my shoulders only to take one of my hands in his. “Sorry, where are my manners. Here, sit down. Let’s catch up.”
I did not want to catch up. I just wanted to get done and get out. I couldn’t stand looking at him and wondering what if. I had asked myself a million times what would happen if we met again. And here were. It felt anticlimactic. The least I was expecting was tears, from me, and a cool brush off, from him. I wasn’t ready for a Rhett with manners, a Rhett that seemed to be excited to see me. Maybe I would cry after all. He never liked it when I cried. It might get a reaction from him. Too bad I was too stunned to do anything else but take in his face. A face that I had missed terribly for so long.
“How have you been?” He pierced me with his beautiful eyes. I also missed looking at them. But then again, I missed everything about him. I guess even after all these years, I was still a sucker for all things Rhett.
Time to dust off my game face and get this over with. My nerves were frayed, and it wasn’t due to the fact that I had to convince him to use Cassandra’s services. I knew they were kick ass.
“I’m good, how are you?” I asked lamely and wanted to slap myself in the face for it.
“Great now that I’ve run into you.” He seemed genuinely happy to see me, even though I hadn’t heard anything from him in the last eight years. Not a word. Not to me and not to my big brother. They were friends too and I knew Nate was as confused by his sudden disappearance as I was. He just didn’t lose his shit because of it, unlike me.
The waiter appeared, breaking the awkward tension that had engulfed our table. Before I had a chance to say anything, like ask for the menu, Rhett had already ordered for us.
“Two Frontman IPAs and two steaks, medium, and bring out one of each side dish.”
The waiter disappeared again as quickly as he appeared.
“What if I hate beer and decided to become a vegan?”
Rhett’s attention was, unfortunately, back on me. “Did you decide you didn’t like beer anymore and become a vegan?”
“No, of course not. But –”
“Great, then let’s talk instead of arguing. I haven’t seen you in eight years. And you’ll love the beer. It’s from a small craft brewery based in Denver, and they do the best steak here.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted, not dignifying the situation with a response. I hated when he knew exactly what I liked. It was annoying. It made me predictable. No wonder he just left without a backward glance. I was boring.
“Why do you look like I just told you that your shoes don’t match your outfit? I thought you wanted this meeting.”
I did come here for a reason and that reason wasn’t to rehash the past. It was to gain him as a client.
“We’ll keep this professional then. Did you get the information I sent to Lexie?”
“I did and it was a waste of my time reading it.”
Don’t yell at him. Don’t yell at him. Don’t yell at him. “Right. So what information would have been better to include?” I didn’t yell at him but my voice sounded off.
