Page 8 of Irresistible Second Chance

Madrid, I did remember that. “I also remember that girlfriend you brought back.”

“Chloe?” He laughed. “She was pretty cool.”

“She tried to stab me with a fork.”

“Of course, she did. She caught us sleeping together, or did you forget that part too?”

My cheeks turned bright red, just as we were approaching the client. I found myself hoping they thought I just applied too much blush. What was wrong with Chris? Was he trying to completely upheave my life? First, he shows up! Second, he brings up old memories! I was seething inside and shot him a glare.

He looked confused by my look and then cleared his throat and turned his attention to the older man in front of us who stood up to greet us warmly. He was traditionally handsome, and his salt and pepper hair was perfectly styled. The same could be said about the woman next to him who had poured herself into a tight-fitting shift dress. Her breasts were barely confined by the thin fabric. She looked at Chris as if he was a tasty snack that she couldn’t wait to get her hands on. She flirtatiously tossed her long wavy black hair over her shoulder and gave him a smoldering smile. She barely looked at me.

“I’m Fausto and this is my daughter, Lucia,” he said to me. His smile was slightly guarded as if he was still trying to feel me out.

“Fausto, Lucia,” Chris said, “It’s a pleasure that you all could join us tonight. This is Sydney Townsend, the representative from R&K United.”

I still felt that the name was silly, and knew I was one of the few people who knew that Robert had named the company based on his and his wife’s initials. Robert was such a romantic, but I still wanted to roll my eyes every time I heard it out loud.

“The pleasure is all ours,” Lucia said, finally acknowledging me. She shot me a warm smile. “Please, please sit down. Chris has told us so many great things about your company.”

“Has he?” I asked, as Fausto pulled out my chair so that I could sit. Chris did the same for Lucia who somehow managed to brush his hand as she did. Was it just me or did they seem oddly familiar?

I shrugged it off, I had a job to do. I didn’t have time to focus on Chris’ indiscretions.

“Yes, it was actually Chris’ idea to bring your company onboard,” Fausto said, “I’m afraid we hadn’t heard of R&K until Chris mentioned the great work you all had done in other areas of the Caribbean with companies such as ours.”

Now this was a subject I could talk about for hours. “That was very kind of Chris to refer us. My boss, Robert, was sorry he couldn’t join. His family is sick, but he sent me to make sure all your questions are answered and that you all feel comfortable with the plans we’ve proposed.”

“We do have some questions,” Lucia said.

Fausto smiled, “Lucia is the brains behind this operation. I’m afraid I’m just the beauty,” Fausto said with a laugh.

Lucia nodded, “My father is here just so that I’ll be taken seriously by those we partner with.” She was a straight shooter. I liked that.

“I find it hard to believe that anyone would have the balls to not take your seriously, Lucia,” Chris said as the waiter came and filled our wine glasses. His informality made me think that perhaps they had more than just a little history together. I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly their history was.

“Trust me, Chris, not as many men I work with are as evolved as you. They’re practically from the stone age, dragging knuckles and all. They see this beautiful face and think I was born without a brain…or at least not one that they care about. I’m sure you can relate, Sydney.”

I nodded, “I can. I was really lucky when my boss left our previous company and started R&K United. The previous company was an old boy’s club, and I stayed there because I was too stubborn and too proud to not try to break their glass ceiling.”

“And did you break it?” Lucia asked intrigued.

“No, I got tired of playing a rigged game. I left with Robert and went to work for him at a company he created where there isn’t a glass ceiling. My work, my opinions, and my experience make me a valuable ally and Robert saw that.”

She nodded, her eyes looking at me with respect, “You’re VP of Operations, correct?”

“I am.”

“Should we high-five across the table and yell out girl power or would that be too much for this meeting?”

“My whole life I’ve been told that I’m too much, why stop now?”

She laughed then and looked at her father. “I like her.”

Chris smiled at me from across the table and winked, “I knew you would.”

By the end of the night, I was one-hundred percent sure that Fausto and Lucia were on board with our plans for the corporation’s social responsibility project and Chris had done wonderfully in providing a detailed overview of opportunities within the community for social outreach. He and Fausto mostly focused on those points while Lucia and I talked about the business side of things.

After dinner was done, the father and daughter duo insisted on walking us out.

---