“It does.” My poker face is strong, but inside I’m squealing like a prepubescent tween at a boy-band concert. This is really happening. “And you have yourself an artist for the show.”
“I never thought otherwise.” Removing the file from the table, he passes it back to a waiting Tero while nodding toward my plate. “Now eat. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” And then silence falls on the table as we eat, eyes staying on the plates even though I know Elise is pissed. Her posture is stiff, the skin around her eyes and mouth taut.
“Well, that most certainly hit the spot this morning,” Tero says when I push my plate away, having eaten every last bite, which isn’t the norm for me. To be honest, this is the best meal I’ve had in months, and I feel great. No nausea or discomfort of any kind. Is there such a thing as birthday luck? “Thank you for allowing us to eat with you this morning, Miss Moore.”
“Please don’t. I should be thanking you.”
“You should be,” Elise says under her breath, and by the way the man beside me tenses, Theodore heard her. “Now, if that’s the end of this meeting, I’d like to steal the lucky girl away for a mani/pedi and some much-needed shopping.”
“Then we won’t hold you.” Theodore stands first, extending a hand out toward Elise who eagerly shakes it, leaning toward him while slyly adjusting her top—exposing a little more skin. He doesn’t look, but Tero does and his expression is one of disgust until he notices I’m watching and schools his features. The only two men I’ve ever met that are immune to her charms. Mr. Astor pulls his hand back and then holds it out to me, waiting for me to take it and I do so after a second, letting him tug me gently to my feet.
We are close. So close that his warm breath skims across my forehead and I take a step back, creating the space needed so I don’t embarrass myself. Because this man smells good. He feels good this close, and that makes me nervous.
More than.
Taking in a deep breath, I hold it for a second and then offer him a smile. An honest one. “Thank you so much for everything today. This opportunity means the world to me, and I promise to not disappoint or be difficult. If you have any questions or doubts or just need to see the progress, please don’t hesitate to call me.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Moore.” Theodore brings my hand to his lips and kisses the middle knuckle, lingering there for a second while his chest expands once quickly. Then, he lets go and I feel a coldness sweep across every limb and settle on my chest. The hell is that? Moreover, I’m so lost in that thought that I almost miss what he says. “...need that phone number to contact you later today regarding the contract.”
“You can always call me.”
Once more he ignores Elise, this time holding his hand out. “Your phone, please.”
“Of course,” I say instead of telling him a business card would be fine, handing over the device that’s almost always on silent. Especially when working. Then there’s the tiny spark I feel when our fingers touch, this sensation that crawls up my arms and to my chest, settling into a warm buzz. What is that? A question I swallow back, turning my attention to Tero for a second who has a smug look on his face. This is getting weirder by the second.
The device pings in his hand before he passes it to me. “Expect a call around nine tomorrow, Gabriella. We’ll meet where it’s convenient for you.”
“No need to go out of your way. I can meet you tomorrow at the gallery—”
“No more business talk on your birthday. Tomorrow, we’ll agree and sign...sound good?”
I’m nodding before he’s done talking. “Thank you for the opportunity.”
“Remember what I said, Miss Moore. Pleasure is always mine.” With that, he steps back and at once, I miss the feel of him close. And more embarrassing is the smile on his handsome face, as if he somehow knows my thoughts that are inappropriate and confusing and dangerous for my psyche. He’s a danger to my tranquility. “Please enjoy your day in that pretty dress. The color suits you perfectly.”
Theodore nods at Tero, who drops a few bills on the table that more than takes care of brunch, and walks away without another glance while I’m left blushing. I finger the lace edge, and there’s an urge in me to thank Elise for the dress but I don’t.
Something is telling me to remain quiet. To wait.
Neither man addresses Elise before leaving nor has she been included in any future plans, something I’m sure she’ll complain of soon enough.
Moreover, she does the moment they step through the cafe’s door after coming to my side, her grip on my arm tight. “How could you ruin this for me? After everything I’ve done for you.”
“What have you done for me?” I ask, because my mind is reeling and her reactions today don’t make sense. Yes, she’s my friend, but I’ve never asked for anything. I’ve never used her. Instead, Elise has used my name and inserted herself in my career without asking.
Pushy. Judgmental. Yet, I’ve taken her as is and never once made her feel anything less than my best friend.
“Who set this meeting up?” Her tone is acerbic, her face pinched tight. “Who did the homework and flirted with his staff for insider information—”
My head turns to her as I pull my arm from her grasp. “Did I ask you to?”
“You’d never get into a place like this without my help.”
“That’s not
