Page 22 of Resisting the Temptation
Mr. Allridge walks in, and Emma immediately turns to greet him with a professional handshake and beaming smile. “Mr. Allridge, I’m Emma Price, the new PM at Rossi Construction. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
How did she know it was him?
Mr. Allridge seems taken aback by her forwardness but shakes her hand anyway, giving her a quick once over. “Hello, Emma. The pleasure is mine. Please, call me Derek.”
“Of course. You already know Ben.”
Derek gives me a handshake in greeting. Before anyone else can say anything, the hostess lets us know ourtable is ready and leads us to a quiet booth situated in the back of the restaurant.
I slide in on one side, and Derek slides in on the other while Emma worries her bottom lip as her eyes bounce back and forth before she slides into the booth on my side.
Logically, it makes sense we’re both facing Derek, but my body freezes up at the close proximity to the blonde.
It’s going to be a long lunch.
Chapter 11
Emma
Ihadn’t considered I’d have to sit so close to Ben when I asked the hostess for this booth.
Of course, the other option would be to sit next to Derek, and that would be awkward as hell, especially if I’m trying to talk business.
Ugh. I hate this.
Ben has barely said a word other than to comment on how well things are going with the business when Derek asks, so I’ve been the one carrying the conversation with the developer.
If Enzo has only ever sent Ben to smooth talk Derek, no wonder we haven’t been able to land him as a client yet. Getting Ben to make conversation is like trying to make a fish walk.
It’s a good thing small talk and getting to know people quickly are specialties of mine, otherwise this whole lunch would be a fucking bust. I clock the silver wedding band as soon as he shakes my hand and make a mentalnote to ask about his partner. It’s easy enough to see Derek Allridge, like most powerful men, likes to have his ego stroked a little, so that’s what I do.
I gush about the layout of a townhome complex in La Jolla he finished last year and lament that I can’t afford the luxury apartments right on the Windansea Beach because they’re so beautiful.
His chest puffs with pride the more I praise his work, and by the time our food has arrived, he’s laughing and telling me stories like I’m part of the good ol’ boys’ club.
Derek asks me about my work experience and how I’m liking working at Rossi. I answer honestly, telling him while I’m new to this, I’m loving the work, and Enzo is a great boss.
He asks me about what kind of projects I’m most excited to work on, and I tell him I’m not particular. Working on something large-scale like a hospital or an airport would be incredible, but I’m just as happy working on retail spaces or apartments.
When I glance at Ben, he looks irritated—which is his normal look—but also a little surprised. Is he surprised at how easy I’m getting Derek to interact? Or is he surprised by my answers?
“So, Emma, I don’t see a ring on your finger. Are you seeing anyone?”
The question takes me by surprise, but it’s not acompletelyabnormal thing to ask. “Not at the moment.”
Derek’s bushy brown eyebrows raise to his hairline. “Now, why not? Pretty thing like you must have men tripping over themselves.”
Fuck’s sake. Why can’t a woman just want to be single?
I demurely raise a shoulder as I stab a piece of grilled chicken with my fork. “I’m keeping my options open at the moment. Waiting for the right person to come along, focusing on my career. You know, all the cliché reasons.”
“Always good to keep your options open. Wouldn’t want to miss out on something special. My wife and I took a long while to find each other, but it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
I perk up at the mention of his wife. This is my in to make a personal connection. “I love that. How did you two meet?”
Derek gives me a wistful smile. “Before I started my own company, I was an estimator at another company, and she was the HR Manager. We didn’t like each other at first. She thought I was rude and impersonal, and I didn’t like how bubbly she was all the damn time.”
Sounds like Ben.
