Nari faltered. No doubt the woman wanted to talk about Quan, but she couldn’t exactly refuse the head of the HDD. “I’d enjoy that.”
Opal nodded at the HR assistant sitting across the table from Nari. “I assume she’s finished?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the young woman said instantly, gathering the papers together.
Well, Nari was finished now, apparently. She leaned toward the nice brunette. “Do you need me to come back later to sign anything?”
“No.” The woman shook her head. “We’re fine. Honest.”
Nari smiled and walked toward the doorway. Was everyone afraid of the administrator? Sure, she had an imposing job, but she seemed nice enough. “Are we eating in your office?”
“No. Let’s get away from the office and go to the club. I’ll bring a detail because there’s a question regarding your safety right now.” Opal led the way, dressed today in cream-colored, linen pants and a matching jacket with a silky, lavender-colored shirt. Her boots were a cream leather with two-inch heels.
Nari stared at the boots. They were spectacular. Was there a polite way to ask where she’d bought them? She hustled to keep up and took her phone out of her purse to text Angus about her brunch plans. Though she’d promised not to leave the office, being with the HDD administrator and a protection detail should be enough to keep her safe. They exited the building, where a car was already by the curb with one of the security agents waiting to open the door.
“Thank you, George,” Opal said, settling into the back seat next to Nari. Once the door had closed, she turned to face her. “You could have my job someday, you know. You have the background and the strength for it.”
The woman was still trying to mentor her? Nari grew warm. “I quit yesterday, remember?”
Opal sighed. “You quit because your father put you in an untenable position, and that hurt your feelings.” She patted Nari’s hand, a diamond-and-sapphire ring shining brightly on her finger. “I don’t blame you, but you shouldn’t destroy your entire career because of hurt feelings.” She clasped her hands in her lap.
Nari swallowed. The woman definitely had a point. “I appreciate your taking an interest.”
Opal chuckled. “I like you. I also like your father, although he acted like a moron in this case. I don’t think he wanted to hurt you, but he’s been confused why you chose the HDD. The guilt he feels about your childhood has blinded him.” She shook her head. “Men, even the smart ones, can be such dumbasses sometimes.”
Hearing the elegant woman use the word “dumbass” made Nari laugh out loud. Wasn’t that almost the same thing her mother had said the other day? She covered her mouth and calmed herself. “I totally agree.”
“I know.” Opal peered out the window at the traffic. “But we need to set the boundaries of how much harm they can do. I don’t want to overstep, but are you still seeing Angus Force?”
Nari paused. Was HDD trying to get to her through Opal? Wait a minute. OpalwasHDD. “I believe he’s innocent.”
“That’s irrelevant,” Opal said quietly. “That doesn’t mean he won’t demolish both your career and your heart.” The car rolled to a stop in front of a building composed of white brick and long columns. She waited until the door opened before stepping out.
Nari followed. Her career and her heart? Yeah. Angus could probably affect both, but she trusted him. Didn’t she? Frowning, she walked up the stairs and into a restaurant with old-world charm. Dark wood, fine bottles of wine in a cabinet, and burgundy-colored carpets.
Opal smiled at the host. “I have a reservation for Clemonte.”
“Of course.” The young man lifted two thick menus. “Follow me, please.”
The conversations in the room were muted. Nari recognized three US senators, several lobbyists, and the White House chief of staff. The maître d’ passed them all for a spacious table in a private room toward the back.
“This is lovely,” Opal said, sliding along the plush bench.
Nari sat across from her and accepted a menu, waiting until the host had left before speaking. The woman had clout to score a private dining room for two people. “Are you questioning me about Angus for the HDD?”
Opal’s laugh was contagious. “No. If I wanted you questioned, I’d haul you into an interrogation room, not take you to a delicious brunch.”
Well, that was fair. Nari read the menu. The second Opal put down her menu, a waitress appeared. They both ordered and then waited for mimosas to be delivered.
“Cheers,” Opal said, holding up her glass.
Nari clinked and then took a sip. Excellent. “I doubt you usually conduct exit interviews.”
“No,” Opal agreed, her beautiful eyes shining. “Only when somebody’s father goofs up their team placement out of confusion because men are dumb sometimes. You know, I do try to be involved during those situations.”
Nari laughed. The woman did have a good sense of humor. “So what’s happened?”
“Well, you quit. I yelled at your father for a good amount of time and then we made up.”
