“Anyway,” Gavin seems to sense that he’s hit a nerve, and he turns his attention quickly back to his computer screen. “I think that we need to work on...”
I tune him out for a moment, knowing that he is very capable all by himself, and I allow myself to remember the night once more, the one where I met Michaela. Nothing about it seemed strange at the time, but now I’m looking at it through more sceptical eyes.
Why did her uncle not show up?
What the hell was she doing at a CIA party?
Why was she so keen to hang out with me?
Shit. I’m now more confused than ever and I need some damn answers. I haven’t contacted Michaela yet because I’ve been so wrapped up in work and because I’ve wanted to play it a little cool, but I can’t hold back any longer. I need to spend more time with her, to try and figure out where her head is at, to be able to make a better judgment of everything that’s going on here.
I don't feel like sitting here with a negative guy is going to help me do that. I don't want him to bring me down and start me making judgements with no proof just because of his attitude. He wasn't there, he didn’t see the instant connection that Michaela and I had, and there’s no way I can explain that to him. Technology, numbers, logic he gets, anything to do with feelings is beyond him. He’s a hopeless cause.
‘Hi Michaela, it’s Sean Knight – we met at the CIA party’ I’m sure that she will remember me, but I would much rather be certain. ‘I don't know what your plans are today, but I’m about to head out to Mama J’s for lunch this afternoon and I wondered if you would like to join me?’
As soon as I hit send, a sense of regret hits me. I never should have messaged, I should have called her because then I could have guaranteed an instant answer. Now I have to sit here continually checking my phone to see if she has gotten back in touch. Maybe if she was a trap, I’ll hear nothing ever again. It’ll be hard to deal with that unanswered question, but at least I can assume that she’s not worth knowing.
I sit back in my seat and watch Gavin go through the numbers, now thinking about that kiss. Even if nothing else was real, that sure as hell felt like it was. It woke up something inside of me that has been lying dormant for far too long, and it made me much too excited. So much so that I really wanted to take her upstairs to her apartment and do all kinds of naughty things to her, but I didn’t. At the time I didn’t just want her to be a one-night stand, I wanted to give her the opportunity to become something more real, but now I’m glad because I’m questioning absolutely everything.
As my phone pings with a reply, my heartrate kicks up another notch. I half expect it not to be her, but then her name fills my screen and the adrenaline pumps even more powerfully through my body.
‘Hi Sean, I would love to meet you today! Lunch sounds lovely. Shall we meet there at 1:00 p.m.? X’
Is that a good sign? The excitement coursing through me certainly thinks so.
‘Sounds good, see you then.’
Mama J’s is an adorable little Italian place which is so popular that you normally need a reservation, but because the staff know me so well, and because I’m in there so often, they have a table permanently reserved for me. I don't normally take dates there though... I usually keep it for business meetings and friends only, but that’s because I don't very often actually take girls out, and when I do I know that they want something much posher and more expensive than pizza, so I find it a lot easier to just give them what they want.
However, I don't feel that intense need to impress Michaela by flashing the cash. I think that she will feel much better by eating somewhere like this. I think this will impress her so much more. I think she’s the sort of girl that would rather cuddle on the couch than go for expensive meals, that would be happier watching a movie than jet setting around the world, and maybe that’s what I need in my life. Maybe – if she is being truthful – her down to Earth attitude will spark my interest forever.
“I have to go,” I grin at Gavin, wanting to leave early so I can buy some flowers before I get to the restaurant. “I’m going to meet Michaela.” He shoots me such a concerned look that I instantly step back up on the defensive. “I know, I know, that’s why I’m meeting her,” I reassure him. “I want to find out more about her, to work out what her motivation is.”
“Okay,” he drawls. “Well, I’m going to stay here and crack this, but I’ll see you in a little bit... alright?”
“Yep, see you soon.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at him as I walk out of the room. He might have more academic smarts than me, but I’m far more streetwise these days. I know how to deal with people much better than he does, and I will have this mystery solved today. Now that he has sparked that element of doubt within me, I need to get to the bottom of it, and that’s exactly what I’ll do. Hopefully it’ll be good news for me, but whatever it is I would much rather know either way.
4
Michaela
My heart pounds with nerves as I go to meet Sean once more. He’s the one person who can completely throw me off my game and I really don't want that to happen to me again. I need to remain in control, on top of things, and that’s leaving me in a bit of a panic.
I picked my outfit well, donning black skinny jeans, a navy blue low cut top, and heels that make my long legs look even better. I’ve really worked my assets here, and even made up my eyes in the most flattering way possible, but I just don't feel as confident as I normally would.
I stalk along the street briskly, trying to keep my breathing in check, until I find myself outside an adorable looking family run Italian restaurant. It isn’t the sort of place that I would imagine a billionaire eating lunch, which instantly puts me at ease. At least I won’t be totally out of place here.
Okay, I think to myself, doing a little nod as if to reassure me. Okay, you can do this. Just go in there, let Sean think you like him, and get as much information as you can.
I know that it won’t be possible to end this job today... it’s much too quick, but I can’t help wishing that I could be done already. There isn’t much acting needed around Sean, because I do like him far too much, which is where the danger lies. I’ve been thinking about him nonstop since that night and that spells trouble. I already know that... I’ve already been through enough to know that it doesn’t end well.
I push the door open and spot Sean already sitting at the best table in the place, smiling at me with a big bunch of flowers sitting in front of him. They are much better than the usual, unimaginative red roses that billionaires usually deem acceptable, they are a mixed bunch with vibrant blues, oranges, and yellows, which make my heart melt a little too much for my liking.
Shit, I’m in trouble here.
“Hi,” I grin at him, trying to keep the facade up. “Thank you for inviting me, it’s really good to see you again.”
He instantly jumps up and pulls my chair out for me in a gesture that actually feels genuine, rather than forced.
“I’m good, thank you, how are you?”
“Yeah,” I gulp down the weird emotion flooding through me. “I’m good.”