Page 11 of The Billionaire & the Virgin Chef
I want a taste ofsomething.
But not of thefood.
* * *
By the next day,I quickly realize that if I don’t act fast, I may never have another chance with the sexychef.
Thanks toJackson.
Something happens between the time we spent at the gala and this morning. I make it into the office at Knights Capital, the hedge fund company we run jointly with his father, brother, and our two other friends, Caleb and Foster. Jackson’s office is next to mine, so I know, from the frenzied pacing in around the room to his numerous loud as fuck hails to Gemma, his secretary. My broody friend has done something to screw up this thing he has going on with his neighbor’s petsitter.
Given that most of that period of time was the middle of the night, I can only imagine what itis.
I let myself into his office for our ten o’clock meeting and find him scrolling through the results of a web search on types of dahlia flower species. As he catches me heading in, he shakes his head and points to his landline speakerphone to point out that he’s in the middle of a call. Of course, I already know that because I passed Gemma, his secretary, on the way in here and it’s clear to me that she’s on the phone withhim.
Taking a seat, I wait for him to wrap up and overhear him as he tells Gemma to pull out all the stops for a dahlia flower delivery order to his neighbor’s place. A big one. Something in the neighborhood of a roomful. It’s the kind of order that makes a statement. But from the scowl on his face, I know the statement isn’t one that says, “I had a great time,”or “thank you for letting me rock yourworld.”
He fucked up somehow, and these flowers represent one bigapology.
“You had one job,” I mention lightheartedly after he hangsup.
“Fuck off, man.” He plants both hands on his desk and pushes off, moving his swivel chair backward. Then he turns around and stares pensively out the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the south end of CentralPark.
“That bad, huh? What the hell did you do toher?”
“Leave it alone. It’scomplicated.”
“Yeah. Right. Well if you won’t talk about it, let’s at least discuss the reason for this meeting in ourcalendar.”
“Sure. Whatever,” he mutters without looking my way. “Your assistant added the meeting, so what’s thisabout?”
“I’m not too comfortable with the amount of exposure we’re taking on for the Mont Blanc deal. I know, I’ve raised itbefore—”
“Numerous times,” Jackson cuts me off to add. “Last night included. Backing out isn’t anoption.”
. “It’s that employee they call their VP of Risk Management. The man’s shady asshit.”
“Did you find out anything new about him since we talked lastnight?”
“Working on it. But just try to remember that we’ve quashed deals that are just as pivotal to the company,” I remindhim.
“True. But those were different. And you know the difference between those deals and this one has to do withconsensus.”
“I getthat.”
“Look, I have my reservations too. The thing is, we’re in the minority this time. This behemoth of a deal is forging ahead, and the rest of the executive team needs you to do what you do best. Assess and analyze. Let me know if your findings reach a tipping point. If I agree then, you know I’ll have yourback.”
“All right.” I get off the guest chair and head for the door, leaving with a dismissive hand gesture over my shoulder and add, “Just don’t fuck things up with the pet sitter so bad that it kills my chance with her chef friend right out the fucking gate, allright?”
“You didn’t make your move last night?” he asks. I turn in time to see a big fucking grin on his face. “Oh right, Diane was grilling her about something. Wait, was that for you? Don’t tell me you’ve got your mom setting up your dates for you now. I know you have the whole geek thing going on, but that’s a bit much don’t you think? What, you gonna move into your mom’s basement next? Start wearing pocketprotectors?”
I straighten my glasses to make a point. “Dude. How about you fuck off and keep your eyes on your own personalshit.”
“Says the guy sticking his nose into my personal shit withDahlia.”
“Yeah but that’s different, and you know it. I don’t want you poisoning the whole fucking well before the rest of us take a sip,” I say with a smile. “A big-ass rush order of a fuckton offlowers?”
He shakes his head, his face finally reflecting a sign of regret or guilt. “What are you doing over lunch?” he asks when I’m almost at thedoor.
