Page 83 of I'm Looking for a Man in Finance
Even on the subway, I was completely calm. I wasn’t checking the pre-market buzz or rehearsing elevatorpitches in my head. My focus had shifted. Drastically. And all it took was a certain brunette I’d left alone in my bed—like an idiot—who had turned my whole world upside down.
Later, as I made my way from the Financial District up into Lower Manhattan to meet Theo, my phone rang.
“Mom, hi.”
“You’re still planning on coming to the restaurant tonight?” No greeting. Straight to the point—classic Eloise Rossi.
“Hello to you, too,” I replied sarcastically. I could almost picture the exact eye roll I knew she was giving me right now. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Good. Everyone’s going, so it would be pointless if you didn’t make the time.”
She was conveniently forgetting that I was the one who’d suggested we meet for dinner at the restaurant tonight. I’d thrown it out offhandedly, just looking to sneak in a visit and maybe some of the pizzeria’s famous pasta. She’d thought it was a fantastic idea and had made a family event out of it, despite my attempts to dissuade her with the reminder that we had already met for family dinner on Wednesday. Twice in one week felt excessive, even by Rossi standards.
“I’ll be there, Mom.”
“Should we expect Sebastian?”
“Not tonight,” I said, pausing for a second. Part of me wanted to mention Hallie. Part of me didn’t want to open the door to fifty questions I wasn’t ready to answer yet.
“Well, everyone’s getting there at six,” she said, “so be sure to leave the office early enough. I’m sure BerkleyWilliams won’t collapse if you left before it gets dark outside for once.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I grinned as I said it.
I stifled a laugh at my mother’s groan. There was nothing she hated more in this world than being referred to as ma’am. She said it made her feel like she was one foot in her own grave.
“Don’t ‘ma’am’ me, James Rossi.”
“Listen, I’ve got to go. I have a business lunch to get to. I’ll see you tonight.”
There was a beat of silence before she spoke again, her voice a touch softer.
“I know you’re always chasing the next big thing, and I don’t mean to sound like I’m scolding you. I just hope you’re not burning yourself out, honey. I worry sometimes that you’re so busy building this life of yours, you forget to actually live it.”
“Working hard lets me have the life I want, Mom.”
“I know,” she said gently. “I just hope you take the time to enjoy it, too. To really see the people around you, the ones who care about you. That’s all.”
Her words settled in deeper than I let on.
“I hear you,” I said quietly. “I really do.”
I didn’t know where this line of questioning was coming from, and as I stood outside The Nest, I knew I didn’t have the time to have this conversation. It was far more complicated than a five-minute conversation could unpack. “Let’s talk about this later, Mom.”
The lobby of The Nest was as empty as it was the first time I met Theo here. I half-wondered if they intentionally spaced out guest arrivals for maximum discretion.
“James Rossi, here for Theodore Drake,” I told the concierge.
“Mr. Drake is on the fifth floor, dining at Bluebird,” the concierge replied, presenting a lockbox. I did one last cursory check of my notifications and email inbox before handing over my phone.
“Thank you,” I said, accepting the key card that would grant me access.
Bluebird was one of the many restaurants inside of The Nest and was known for being secluded and quiet. A hostess led me over to the table and, although it had only been a few months since I last saw Theo, he looked like he’d aged years. Dark circles stood out against his paler than normal skin. His face was marked by the same severe frown I’d seen in the handful of interviews he’d given, a frown that seemed like it had been carved into his features by months of stress.
“James, thank you for meeting me.” Theo stood to shake my hand when the hostess announced my arrival.
“Absolutely,” I told him. “I’m happy to make the time.”
“Please, sit.” He gestured to the table. “I took the liberty of ordering a few appetizers. I wasn’t sure how much time you carved out for me, and I didn’t want to take advantage of your busy schedule.”
