She introduces herself as Corinne Wu—the owner of the restaurant group Gather is considering joining—and we get straight down to business before we order. It’s the same thing as last night. Tons of business talk I don’t quite understand. Gather is in demand, we have excellent profitability, and everyone wants to be a part of our brand and the upcoming restaurant. Luca doesn’t like handing a part of his company over to just anyone—and opening a restaurant is a whole other beast. It took Whole Foods six months to convince him to work with them.
Anderson spends the entirety of the conversation acting like we’ve already signed an agreement, and Luca chimes in with hypothetical questions. Once Nathan shows up, Luca is too distracted to really add anything of substance, so I step up and tell Corinne about my plans to visit the local restaurant scene. I’m about to ask her about the other restaurants in her group when she stands. Her cocktail sits empty on the table.
“Gentleman, I am ready to sign the papers to start this process whenever you are. I don’t do small talk, and there’s been a lot of that tonight. Thanks for the drink, and I hope we get to work with you very soon.”
She winks at Anderson before departing, and Luca and Anderson watch her go with surprised expressions.
“Did I say something to offend her?” Nathan jokes.
Anderson grinds his jaw, standing as he sets his napkin down.
“She expected a verbal agreement tonight,” he says to Luca, his voice impatient.
“Why would she think that? You know we’re still weighing our options,” Luca answers brusquely.
“Are we? This isn’t four years ago. This isn’t Whole Foods, Luca. People want to work with us. They know our name and what we bring to the table. But they’re not going to wait forever.”
I jump up. “What’s the harm in waiting? Why are you so willing to take the first person who offers us a partnership?”
Anderson slowly pivots his gaze to me, his face tight, controlled. “This is between Luca and me.”
Nathan makes a sound and looks away, trying to flag the waiter down. Bless him. He is the cool water to our fiery dynamic.
Luca stands up slowly, looking at Anderson with narrowed eyes. “Why must I always feel pressured to sign my company away? I don’t want to become a big corporation. I told you before, I’m hesitant to work with a group—to work for someone else. Working with these people means possibly outsourcing, hiring more staff, cutting costs and corners. I will not compromise the integrity of the company so we can line our pockets with more cash because they have more reach.” He takes a breath and drinks some water before continuing. “I hired you to help me with these big decisions. I did not hire you to make these decisions for me.”
I want to screamBOO-YEAHinto Anderson’s face, but I settle for a smirk.
Anderson’s jaw ticks, but he nods. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Maybe I am jumping the gun. I’m just excited and eager to get things done while we’re here.”
Luca gives him a soft smile. “I know. But there’s no harm in waiting.”
Anderson claps him on the back and nods. “I agree.”
“Now that we’re all getting along again, is anyone else famished? I flew in all the way from Los Angeles, and I happen to be starving,” Nathan adds, rubbing his midsection.
Anderson and Luca do a quick handshake before sitting, and I follow shortly thereafter. Nathan very effectively changes the direction of the conversation, and I watch as he interacts with my brother.
When I glance at Anderson a few minutes later, he’s leaning back and smiling—a complete one-eighty from earlier. Food is brought out, and we all talk about thingsnotrelated to work. Once we’ve all had a few glasses of wine, Anderson takes his jacket off and rolls up his sleeves. His cheeks are flushed, and he’s actuallylaughing.
As we head out and file into the car, there’s a skirmish about who will sit in back, and to my disappointment, Anderson crawls in next to me.
I scoot as close to the window as possible. Anderson somehow squeezes his large body into the other tiny seat. I try to ignore the way his arm is inadvertently touching mine, and the fact that in order for his legs to fit, he has to spread them wide, thereby touching my legs with his. I seem to be the only one who notices, because he continues his conversation with Luca and Nathan. They’re talking about some stock option or company that went public.
Something I knownothingabout.
The car drives forward, and I see Nathan give Luca a little nip on the mouth. Anderson looks out the opposite window to give them privacy. I cross my arms and try to move farther away. Why did tonight have to be the night I wore this dress? The slit on my right thigh—the one touching Anderson’s leg—goes nearly all the way to my nether regions. I feel exposed. Tugging the dress lower, I clasp my hands together uncomfortably.
“I don’t bite,” Anderson murmurs, leaning back and placing an arm around the back of my seat. I feel my body tense uncontrollably, and he notices because he smirks.
Screw him.
“I never said you do,” I reply.
Turn over.
Now.
Come with me.
