Page 56 of My Lord
“They’re gorgeous. I really ought to give you a key,” she said, as she walked back towards the kitchen.
“That would make us grown-ups wouldn’t it?” I asked in a light-hearted tone as I followed.
“No, it would mean I could continue to stir this risotto without having to worry it’s burned.” She placed the flowers on the counter and continued to stir the rice. She added more wine, then handed me the bottle. “Could you pour?”
I found two glasses, handed her a filled one, and then sat at the kitchen table. “How was your day?” I asked.
While she bustled around making a salad and fresh garlic bread, she told me about her day. She seemed excited by the new company Mackenzie was looking into; although she hadn’t met any of the staff yet, she had met the owner, Pamela, so she told me.
“Initially, Mackenzie was going to buy shares, but I convinced him to buy the company. It might make a nice fit within Trymast,” she said.
“Okay, and I’ll get to know about this, when?” I teased.
“I’m telling you now. I thought I’d share my thoughts with you over dinner and see what you think?” She waved a wooden spoon at me and I ducked as a piece of risotto flew my way.
As daft as it was, I still found it a littledauntingthat she was, technically, my boss even though she had very little to do with Trymast. I also believed her choice to stay out of Trymast was because we had a relationship going on.
“Can you take these?” she said, and I left the table to collect dishes.
“This smells wonderful, thank you,” I said, laying them on the table.
She sat beside me and we ate, chatting about our days before she talked about this company she had mentioned.
“Would it be terrible to tell you that I found a female CEO strange?
“Why is that strange?”
“I guess I don’t see that so often in the UK.”
I had to think of all the companies I’d had dealings with and whether there were any females at the top of the ladder, and then I agreed with her. There weren’t many, and that was a shame.
“So, you think it might blend in well with Trymast?” I asked.
She then proceeded to give her analysis and overview. She set her fork down after her explanation and finishing her meal then sat back in her chair and smiled at me.
“You have a great business head,” I said.
“It’s nice to be able to share discussions like this with you.”
“Can’t you do that with Mackenzie?” I asked.
Her smile slipped a little. “I don’t seem to get much time with him nowadays. One day we were inseparable, but now we’re ships passing in the night.” Sadness laced her voice.
“Call him, invite him out for a meal. Go to the theatre or see a movie,” I said.
“I should do,” she replied.
“But?”
“I don’t know. We get enough bad press without me being seen on your arm one evening then his the next,” she said.
I sat back and eyed her with awe. “Gabriella, you surprise me. Why on earth do you care what someone else thinks? We know the facts. He’s your best friend, call him, make a date.”
She chuckled. “I’ll text. I don’t know what nasty he’s up to right now.” She slid from her chair and cleared the dishes.
I didn’t stay that night as I had no clean clothes. Instead, we sat on her terrace with her wrapped in a blanket as we drank coffee and chatted. It was nice, relaxing, but equally, it was frustrating.
“I best be heading home,” I said, checking my watch.
