Page 4 of The Charmer's Gambit
“Oh, really? It’s an unknown brand in these parts. What is everyone saying?”
I rolled my eyes as the waiter gushed over the positive feedback and reviews.
“The best they’ve ever had, huh?” Will mused. “Interesting. Did you hear that, darlin’? Maybe you should give it a try.”
“No, thank you,” I replied sweetly.
“We’ll take a bottle,” Evan murmured, handing his menu to the waiter. “And I don’t think I’ll need a main course with all the appetizers.” He cast an amused glance my way before looking at Sarah.
“Oh, I want lasagna. And if you try to steal any, I’ll divorce you.”
“That requires you to marry me first, sweetheart.”
She shrugged. “Semantics.”
“I’ll have lasagna as well,” Will added before smiling at me. “Do you want a main course with all those appetizers?”
“Chicken Alfredo, please. And can you add lobster and shrimp to that?”
The waiter gave me an appraising look, as if to ask,Where are you planning to put all this food? I might be a tall woman at five feet ten, but I was on the thin side thanks to my morning workout regimen and genetics. My mother’s Irish heritage paled my skin, while my father’s German side gave me the blonde hair and blue eyes. They were both on the slender side naturally and passed those traits on to me and my brother, Caleb. Although, he seemed a bit bulkier the last time I’d seen him, and not with fat.
“Of course, ma’am,” the waiter said after he finished checking me out. “I’ll be back with your wine.” His parting words had me turning to the arrogant blond beside me.
“You shipped a case of Mershano Vineyards to the restaurant?”
“No, I shipped several cases. Sarah said it was her favorite place in Chicago, and I figured the beautiful clientele might appreciate some decent wine.”
I huffed out a breath. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Why, thank you, darlin’. The feeling’s mutual. Now, would you prefer to hear my proposal while you’re sober or after you’ve had a few drinks?”
“Wine won’t make me say yes, Will.”
“My wine might.”
I batted my eyelashes at him. “Care to wager on that?”
I half expected him to take me up on it, but instead, the businessman peeked out from behind his playful mask. He usually bantered with me for a few more minutes before this side appeared.
Uncertainty settled in the pit of my stomach.
No more teasing.
His expression boasted confidence as he prepared for a new round of negotiations.
This was the part of him I feared, the persona that made me feel inferior. He had no way of knowing this, nor was it something he did on purpose. On a logical level, I understood that, but I couldn’t help my knee-jerk reaction to run.
Powerful, rich men always won, no matter the cost. I knew that better than anyone.
“Why are you so adamant against working for me, Rachel? It’s a stable position with excellent benefits, and I’ve already offered to triple your current salary. What more do you need?”
“I don’t want to move.”
“I’ve offered to let you work remotely in Chicago.”
I shook my head. “There’s no way I could hire and manage a team of a dozen lawyers from here. What you’re asking me to do is nowhere near as simple as whipping up a contract.”
“I know that, which is why I want to hire you.”
