Page 25 of Acquiring Ainsley
“We’ll see about that…” He grinned. “It has to start somewhere, right? By the way, I like your blouse.”
I glanced at the swirling, mod-inspired pattern, then looked up and caught his gaze. Something behind his eyes made me unsteady, and I liked that feeling. “What is that, a compliment?”
“Doesn’t it sound like one?”
I grinned. “It sounds like the start of a bad come-on.”
He smiled, too. “It can be anything that you want, Ainsley.”
“T-thanks,” I managed. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“You’re welcome. And on that note, let’s just start right away with the one thing we are here to discuss. A merger.”
I stiffened. Merger. Yes, that’s still what it was—allthat it was. “Before we get to this topic, I’m curious… What else do you think you know about me?”
“A few things. Most of them I’ve read inPage Six. Although, I did find theTown and Countryarticle on your pending accessories line amusing.”
“You say that as if it’s just a side venture. It’s not.” I shuddered at the memory of the emails that I hadn’t replied to, and the wholesale vendors still waiting for an answer on the next steps. I needed to get back to them, but I still had no idea what I’d say. “It’s very important to me.”
“Is it? How much work have you put into it the last week?”
“About five…” I shifted my gaze away from him and regarded the passing traffic on Worth Avenue. “Maybe five hours.”
“You’ll never be a success if you don’t take yourself seriously.”
“I don’t think it much matters right now, does it? Most of it is on hold, given”—I waved a hand—“recent developments.”
“Kind of hard to start a fashion line when your startup funding is in doubt, huh?”
I gulped and turned my attention back to him. “Yes. Exactly.”
“Well…” He leaned forward. “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, is that so?”
“If you’re serious about designing a line of accessories, handbags, or what have you, I am sure we can work something out. When you’re my—my wife—I am sure we can find plenty of ways to fund any pet projects that you might have.”
My breath caught in the back of my throat. “When I’m your wife, huh? You seem awfully confident.”
Trevor grinned. “Why shouldn’t I be? Fact is, you need me, Ainsley, whether you want to admit it or not.”
I struggled to find a reply, and the truth was, I didn’t have a good one. However, the server arrived with a basket of bread, and that saved me from having to come up with something. Instead, Trevor passed the basket to me, and I took a small roll. He chose his own, and then served me the cup of butter. I put a small sliver on my plate.
He didn’t.
He spread a large smear of butter on his roll and shoved most of it into his mouth. What remained of his bite went back on his plate. Paralyzed, I didn’t move. I just stared at him.
“What?”
“Nothing, I—”
“Is there a problem? Something on my face?” He wiped his mouth with his white napkin. “Tell me.”
I swallowed. “It’s your butter… and the roll…”
He cocked his head. “And?”
“You did it wrong. You’re supposed to place your butter on your plate, then tear off a small bite, butter that, andtheneat it.” I laughed. “You didn’t know that?”
