Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Information like that would have helped me immensely during the marathon negotiation session I was stuck in last night.
“Anyways, congrats again, sir.” She glances at her desk. “I’ll get the information on the Lightfoot deal to you and confirm my plans with the person I’m seeing tonight.”
“You do that,” I say with a bite of frustration in my tone because regardless of how much I shouldn’t give a shit about who she’s meeting up with tonight, I do care.
For the first time since Evangeline Starling started working for me, I’m curious about her life outside of this office.
CHAPTER TEN
Evie
As soon as I’ve sent the detail sheet for the Lightfoot deal to Mr Hunt, I send a text message to Lottie.
Evie: Good morning! I’m free as a bird tonight, so how would you feel about dinner instead of a coffee? My treat.
One of the kindest and most thoughtful things Cleo ever did for me was introducing me to a diner called Crispy Biscuit.
It’s a casual place with a small town feel and the best burgers in the city.
I’m sure Mr. Hunt would disagree, but other than his clothing, he has no taste. That’s a guess, at best, because I don’t have any insight into what he likes and doesn’t like other than how he takes his coffee and what he prefers on top of a hotdog.
I set my phone to vibrate right before Lottie’s response lights up my screen.
Lottie: I’d love that. Tell me where and when and I’ll be there.
I can’t contain a smile because I’ll look forward to having a burger all day, along with the look on Lottie’s face when she tastes the food at Crispy Biscuit.
I respond quickly because it’s only a matter of time before my boss sends me that list of tasks I need to handle today.
Evie: There’s a diner called Crispy Biscuit that makes the best burgers. They also have vegan options, although I’ve never tried any of them. If there’s another restaurant you’d prefer we go to, I’m open to suggestions.
I reread that rambling message before I shrug a shoulder and press send. It may not be concise, but it spells out my thoughts. I am open to suggestions, but I’m secretly hoping she’ll jump on board with my idea of eating at the diner.
Her reply arrives within a minute.
Lottie: I love burgers, and I just checked their menu online. Onion rings?! I’m so there. Does 7 work for you? We can meet at the diner.
Seven suits me fine because I’ll have time to head to my apartment to change before I go to the diner.
Evie: That’s perfect. I’ll see you then.
As soon as I press send, Mr. Hunt’s deep voice echoes through the air. “Miss Starling, call the car service and tell Baden to be ready to leave the office in ten minutes. The Bogners want us to meet them for breakfast at some diner.”
“Is it Crispy Biscuit?” I ask in barely more than a whisper.
“It is,” he answers.
What the hell is with the man’s hearing? How did he make out those words?
I scan my desk for a hidden camera, but come up empty.
“Are you making those arrangements, Miss Starling, or do I need to email my request? Spoiler alert. The subject line will be get it done now.”
My head snaps to the left so I can see clearly into his office. When he’s sitting behind his desk like that, looking like the boss that he is, he’s way more attractive than when he’s talking.
I pick up the phone on my desk and press the button to initiate a call directly to Baden’s cell phone.
“Hey, Evie!” he answers with nothing but cheer in his baritone voice. “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I say, looking directly at my boss. “Thank you for asking, Baden. How are you?”
“Good. What can I do for you this morning?”
“Mr. Hunt would like you to meet him in the lobby in nine minutes. The Bogners have requested a breakfast meeting at Crispy Biscuit.”
Deep laughter floods the line. “Reid agreed to go to a diner for breakfast? Jesus, he really wants this deal bad, doesn’t he?”
“You know it,” I answer, grinning from ear to ear while keeping my gaze locked on Mr. Hunt’s face.
“Tell him I’ll be there,” he says. “I hope the day is good to you, Evie.”
“You too,” I say before I end the call and immediately scroll through my contact list for the driver that Mr. Hunt typically uses. With a press of a button, his phone starts ringing. He answers almost immediately.
While I sort out those details, Mr. Hunt pushes to his feet and disappears into his private washroom.
I use the momentary reprieve from his gaze to catch my breath.
I’ve never met anyone more intense than my boss. It’s barely nine a.m., and I’m already counting down the hours until I can enjoy a glass of red wine alongside my dinner.