I don’t trust you.
I’m so distracted that when Luca asks me a question in front of Gary Reynolds, the hedge fund manager who may be our biggest investor yet, I stare at him blankly. Nathan clears his throat uncomfortably.
Wake the fuck up, Anderson.
“Sorry,” I mumble. Luca repeats his question, and I nod. “Luca is right. We’re looking for someone willing to flourish with us, with multiple opportunities to grow your investment.”
Natalia is staring at me, and I can’t bring myself to look at her.
The way her eyes watched me with such hatred… I’d seen that look before once on the face of my sister. It was the last conversation I ever had with her. How we fought, how much of an asshole I was to her, howjudgmentalI was about her problems, and then…
“Anderson?” Gary is watching me expectantly.
I nod. “We are asking for a quarter million for startup fees, with fifty percent growth over two years, paid monthly.”
“And how do I know you’ll be successful in those two years?” Gary asks, his voice light and amused.
I smile.This—this is what I’m good at.
“Well, Gary, I don’t have a glass ball. I can’t guarantee anything. But you’ve seen Gather’s numbers. With Whole Foods and Sprouts in our distribution line, we have a steady flow of cash coming in, and those contracts don’t renew for another four years, so that money isn’t going anywhere.” I look at Natalia. “Thanks to our marketing manager, large media conglomerates have expressed interest in featuring our restaurant, should we have the funds to open.”
Luca points to the numbers on the tablet, highlighting the business plan and explaining how a boost like a Sunrise feature could change the course of our restaurant. But my eyes don’t leave Natalia’s. She’s watching me with a curious gaze, and one side of her mouth is tilted up into a smile.
Fuck.
Something white-hot and feral jolts through me at that look, and I clear my throat.
“Natalia is also researching how to include diverse and inclusive foods, local to Maui, into our proposed menu. She’s already reached out to several chefs and Hawaiian influencers to make sure Gather holds itself accountable in that respect.”
Gary looks at Natalia with raised eyebrows. “Very impressive.”
Natalia’s cheeks redden, and my cock stirs in my pants. Her red lipstick matches her skirt, and I can see her pulse tick against the delicate skin of her neck.
Goddamn.
Luca buys a round of drinks for the table. Gary seems to be having a nice time, which is lucky since we need his money. I wasn’t joking when I said this was the most important meeting of the entire trip. As we place our dinner orders, I relay my usual meal of fish and vegetables.
“Interesting choice,” Gary muses, leaning back in his chair.
I shrug. “I don’t eat mammals.”
He laughs, surprised. “Why?”
I smile. “I find it barbaric that we eat things with feelings, emotions, and the capacity to give birth to other live beings. I’m mostly vegetarian, but occasionally I eat fish.”
Luca smiles and pats my back. “He’s a yogi. Ask him about Hinduism and Chi one day. He’ll talk your ears off. It’s kind of annoying when all I want for dinner is a cheeseburger, but instead I get a lecture about energy and chakras.”
Natalia looks at me from across the table, and that same look appears again on her face—like my words have some kind of hypnotic effect on her.
“Good for you,” Gary answers, leaning back before changing the subject to our proposed area of interest.
When everyone finishes eating, Luca pays the bill and thanks Gary.
Gary shakes each of our hands before standing. “Well, I think we have a deal. I’ll have my assistant send the contract over in the morning.”
As he walks away, I give Luca a subtle high-five, and out of the corner of my eye, Natalia gives me a satisfied smile and looks away.
17
