“I was also hoping you were free for lunch today.”
I glanced at the time display on my PC. “Bit short notice, isn’t it?”
“Business typically is.”
“Business?” my brows creased.
“Yes. I was hoping to pick your brain about... vendoring.”
“That’s... not a word.”
“You see? I have so much to learn.” There was that smile in his voice again.
I had to fight to keep my own lips from breaking into one when I answered him. “What do you need to know? It’s not that big of an industry.”
“I’m a little disappointed you think so. I disagree and think I should better educate myself in the trade, should I plan to invest in such a business as yours.”
“It’s super simple, Scott. You find something you can’t do yourself and outsource to someone who does. For example…balloon animalist.”
“Balloon animalist?”
My eyes bulged at the nonsense that kept coming out of my mouth, and I waved one arm in the air as if I could pull a better answer from midair. “Or a financial… data…vendor.” I squeezed my eyes shut wondering how on earth this man was going to takethatcombination.
He was silent for a moment. Not as quick witted or confident as he was when I first picked up.
Way to go Elle, what else you got in that wacky brain of yours?
“Okay, see now I’m super confused. Andtwiceas curious as to what type of services you provide,” he laughed, somehow setting my body at ease. “So, noon?”
“I have a one o’clock that I can’t—”
“The Wyatt Hotel across Central Park. There’s a bar in the lobby. Noon. I’ll be waiting.” The phone clicked and there was an endless dial tone.
Whoa.
Something definitely changed in his tone when I’d started to turn down his invitation for lunch. And the way he abruptly ended the call...razor-sharp and demanding. I guessed that’s how Scott Weston handled business; to the point and never taking no for an answer. I was almost afraid to be late to this so-called business meeting.
“I’ll have whatever this drink is. Has cucumber in it, sounds refreshing,” I told the bartender, pointing to an item on the drink menu.
“It’s similar to a margarita, only better. Made with rum and cucumber.”
“Sounds perfect.” I smiled and turned back to Scott. “Is your office around here?”
“I don’t have an office. Don’t need one. No staff either. I handle my own business. My own way. On my time.”
“Entirely alone? Not even an assistant?
He shook his head with some amusement. “Too much of a cliché.”
“So what do you do? Work out of a coffee shop?”
“Those who don’t have prospects or actual business might work out of coffee shops. I have a small computer I only bother carrying when I’m digging into a new firm and their financials. But I mostly work out of this.” He held up his cellphone; then pulled out another one. “And this.”
I laughed. “Is that so you can be on a call while focusing on something completely off topic?”
“You’ve done this before,” he grinned and took a sip of his amber drink.
I nodded and took a bite out of the cucumber garnish. “’Fraid so.”His eyes lingered on my mouth as I chewed, the lust in his eyes nearly making me squirm. “So what’s the deal with that? Are you trying to save money?” I questioned, in an attempt to turn the attention back to business. Though how I could focus on anything but kissing him again right now was the real question.
