“Cabernet,” he instructs.
He remembers my wine preference.
“If you’d like a tour, Rachele can show you around. Once you get tired, the bedroom is the door straight that way.” He gestures behind me.
I blow a breath, trying to relax. “Okay...how long is the flight?”
“About ten hours.”
The gorgeous Rachele returns with our drinks, seeming to bend over unnecessarily to deposit mine on the little table next to my chair.
“Anything else?” she purrs to Mr. Bradshaw.
He shakes his head.
“Let me know.”
I shift in my chair, wishing for a noose.
This is a vacation. This is a vacation.
Luke switches to business mode, once again my boss. “Mr. Lim is a special client. He’s been in the business for years, and we’re looking into merging our branch in Seoul with his company to allow him to manage it.”
I reach into my bag to pull out a notebook and pen, once again in the PA position. “Okay, so you want me to take notes?”
“I also want your opinion on him. If anything about his character strikes you as odd, I’d like you to tell me.”
I stare at his profile in shock.Is he serious?He wants my opinion?
“Oh . . . okay, sure.”
I take down another gulp of the wine, and my forgotten phone buzzes in between my legs, causing me to jump up.
His gaze lingers on me for a moment, and I give him an awkward half-smile as I pull the phone out to check the message.
Fred
Do you want to grab dinner this weekend? I know a good seafood place.
I type out a response, smiling at the invitation. Despite my lack of enthusiasm to meet up with him, it’s nice to be asked. I can’t even remember the last time Stephen took me on a date.
Kate
I wish! I’m headed out of town with my boss for a work trip. Rain check?
Luke clears his throat. “So, how long have you known Mel?”
I put the phone down to answer, “Since I was in middle school. She was the one who would always stick up for me when kids were mean.”
“Why were the kids mean?”
I shrug. “You know, kids just are sometimes, especially when you don’t have a mom around to fix your hair and dress you all cute.”
He stares at me for a moment before crossing his ankle over his knee. “So, she’s a good friend?”
“The best. Although maybe not always a good influence.” I’m thinking of her pushing me to approach him in the bar and packing me a scandalous bikini.
He sips from his glass, leaning back against the leather. “I used to have a friend like that.”
