“How’s the report coming along?” I ask.
“It’s looking good,” Bradley says. “I’ll have it over to you by the end of today officially, but unofficially, I’ve been through Benton’s books with a fine tooth comb and they’re a good investment. They’re financially strong, and with a few tweaks, they could be a real cash cow.”
I nod thoughtfully. Bradley is right. I knew it from a quick glance over the figures, but I wanted to do due diligence and be certain there were no skeletons lurking in their books before I began the negotiations. They’re due to get underway in the next week or so.
I feel better about Natalie suddenly. Her company was small fry compared to Benton’s. And if we pull off the Benton merger successfully, no one will give a shit about Natalie. Not even my father.
“Nice work,” I say to Bradley who beams under my praise. “Dot the I’s and cross the T’s and get the report to me by lunch time and take the rest of the day off.”
“Thanks Sebastian,” he says, clearly taken aback.
I laugh and pat him on the shoulder before moving on towards Matt’s office. I feel a little calmer and more in control of myself as I reach Matt’s secretary’s desk, but I’m still in no mood to be fobbed off.
“Morning Sheila,” I say, not stopping.
“Mr Hunter doesn’t want to be disturbed,” she says, jumping up and standing between me and the office door.
“Ah come on now,” I say, giving her my most charming smile. “You know that doesn’t include visits from his baby brother.”
She blushes a little and smiles.
“Well ummm, let me go check with him,” she says.
That’s the confirmation I needed that he’s not with a client. I side step around her and put my hand on the door handle.
“No need,” I grin, slipping inside before she can do anything else to try and stop me.
She hurries in behind me.
“I’m sorry Mr Hunter, I …”
“It’s ok,” Matt cuts her off.
“Right. Thank you. And sorry again. Would you like some refreshments?” Sheila stammers.
“No thank you. Sebastian won’t be staying,” Matt says.
He aims the comment at me. I just smirk at him until Sheila leaves the room pulling the door closed behind her. As the door closes, my smirk fades and I march towards Matt’s desk, ready to demand to know why he’s dodging my calls. Before I can speak, he looks at me disapprovingly.
“You look tired Seb. Late night last night?” he says.
Everyone is a damned comedian it seems.
“Funny. Why the hell are you dodging my calls?” I demand.
“Because I had nothing to say to you. I owe you none of my time Seb. Your actions last night have caused us to lose a client. Natalie Graham called this morning and made it clear we won’t be getting her business.”
“And who’s fault is that?” I say.
“Umm yours,” Matt says, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah I’m pretty sure I’m not the one who interrupted us with a phone call. Let’s just say after that, the mood was kind of ruined.”
“I wonder why that was,” Matt says.
I ignore the jibe. This is nothing to do with Kimberley. This is about the business.
“You accused me of putting my personal life above the business, and now you’re dodging my calls in work time because you’re annoyed that I called off a one night stand?”
“I’m annoyed that you put yourself in a position to lose us business,” Matt counters.
I shrug and sit down in the seat opposite his.
“Whatever,” I say. “Natalie’s business was a drop in the ocean compared to the Benton merger. I was calling you to see how close we are to getting the first meetings set up. Bradley has just about finished up the financial report and everything is looking as good as we hoped it would.”
“We’re almost there. The preliminary talks have gone well and we’re looking to get started early next week,” Matt says. He grins. “But you know all of that. So why don’t you tell me what you really want.”
“That was what I really wanted. To call you out on ignoring my calls,” I lie.
“Ok, I hear you loud and clear. So if that’s it then, I’ve kind of got work to do,” Matt says.
I can tell by the gleam in his eye he knows why I’m really here. I mean sure I was annoyed at him dodging my calls, but he’s right. I didn’t need to ask about the Benton merger. I knew all of that. And if the meetings got pushed forward, of course someone would have reached out to me and let me know. I’m annoyed at him for dodging my calls because I wanted to ask him about one thing. Her. Kimberley.
I eye Matt as I try to work out a way to bring the conversation around to Kimberley without it being obvious I’ve thought of nothing but her all damned night. His lips curl up slightly at the corners and I know he’s enjoying my discomfort. I suppose this is his pay back for all the times I’ve embarrassed him over the years with new girlfriends. And for all the flirting I do with his fiancé, Callie.
I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of asking him for more details about Kimberley, but I know I can’t just get up and walk out of here without hearing everything there is to know about her return. I look down into my lap.
“Is it true what you said last night? Is Kimberley really back in town?” I say.
Matt doesn’t answer immediately and I force myself to look up and meet his eye. His amused look pisses me off but I bite my tongue, waiting for an answer.
“It’s true,” he says.
I feel a mixture
