“Ethan!” his voice booms as he smiles in greeting. “How are you doing, my boy?”
“Roland.” Ethan gives him a polite smile. I noticed the stark difference once again. When he smiles in front of me, it reaches his eyes. Anybody else, he looks like he’s struggling with patience. Maybe I’m just seeing things. “What brings you here?”
“A change of scenery. I’ll be in New York for a few weeks. Thought I’d come and see your new project. I can’t believe you actually went and acquired one of Braxton’s companies. What did the bastard do? Strong-arm you into buying from him?”
“No. I was interested in the business model. I thought I could make it better and merge it with another one of my companies. Take a seat, Roland. This is Natalie Thorne.”
Roland turns to face me, and I feel a strange sense of unease at how long he gazes at me. I nod at him in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blake.”
“What did you say your name was?”
“Natalie.”
His eyes run over me, lingering on my face, and Ethan clears his throat. “You were saying, Roland?”
I pick up my things. “I’ll leave you two to talk in private. I’ll be in my office, Mr. Wilder.”
“Ethan,” he corrects me.
I give him an annoyed look. He doesn’t have to correct me in front of his investor.
“You two carry on,” Mr. Blake says abruptly. “I’ll be back later. I just wanted to see your office.”
“If you want to stay, I can step out,” I offer.
“No, no.” He turns around and, just as quickly as he came in, walks out.
I gaze after him once the door closes. “Did I do something?”
Ethan frowns before sitting back down. “He’s always been a little bit of an eccentric. Never mind him.”
“You just said he was one of your top investors. Should you really be so disinterested in his actions?” Did he not see how Roland just hightailed it out of here after meeting me?
“If he says he’ll be back, he’ll be back. Don’t worry about him.”
I’m about to sit back down when my phone pings. Checking my messages, I sigh. It’s Sarah. She’s going to be late again today. I guess I’ll have to fend for myself at dinnertime tonight.
Ever since the owner of the restaurant La Savante decided to open another branch in Staten Island, Sarah has had a longer commute. I have a feeling a difficult conversation is going to take place soon. Even I can see the toll the travel is taking on her.
Putting the phone aside, I get to my feet. “I should head home. It’s getting late, and I have to pick up some dinner on the way.”
“It’s just seven.” Ethan glances at his timepiece. “And we still have to finish this. Let’s get dinner here.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when Clarice knocks on the door, a brief sharp tap, before opening it. “Should I order some dinner, Mr. Wilder?”
He shakes his head. “No need. Just get me another cup of coffee before you leave.”
“Another cup of coffee?” I gaze at him. “Clarice, has he had lunch?”
His assistant shakes her head.
I glare at him. “You’re not a child. Have dinner.”
Ethan lifts his shoulders. “I don’t like eating alone.”
I catch Clarice looking at him, but she doesn’t say anything.
