Page 18 of A Private Affair
“I’ve known Riley for a few years now, Unc.” Chaz had always called him “Unc” instead of Uncle Tobias. It was shorter, and to the nine-year-old who had been grieving his parents when he first came to New York, the less he had to say, the better.
“Yeah, well, this was the first time she’s been direct competition to you.”
Chaz shrugged. “I didn’t go to Milan just to meet up with Perry. And we actually did get a chance to talk. He was meeting with RGF this week but that doesn’t mean he’s officially working for them.”
“Oh, he is. Look at this.” Tobias slammed the fashion magazine onto Chaz’s desk.
It was open to an article naming Perry this year’s hottest and most desired designer. And first on the list of fashion houses Perry wanted to work for was RGF.
“We’re fine. PR’s getting the buzz out about the lines we’re pushing this season and the sales projections are seventy-six percent higher than this time last year.”
Tobias grabbed the brim of his red hat and pulled it off. “It’s gotta work. We’ve gotta get back on top.”
“We will. Don’t worry,” Chaz told him.
Tobias shook his head and walked toward the door. When he turned back, he extended his arm and was waving his hat at Chaz as he talked. “Keep an eye on her. She’s planning something big.”
Chaz didn’t hesitate. “You didn’t bring me here to watch what anybody else is doing. King Designs is in a class by itself and I’m going to make sure nobody forgets that.”
Tobias drew his lips into a tight line and gave a curt nod before leaving Chaz alone. Twenty minutes later when he’d deemed work impossible, Chaz drove his Mercedes GLS back to his apartment. Once he’d showered and changed he sent the text that had been on his mind all damn day.
Have dinner with me.
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAZWASWAITINGfor Riley. He sat at the table near the window and stared out at the unfettered view of Manhattan. There was a chill in the air and they were calling for snow, but from sixty-two stories up, the city looked perfect.
The white tablecloth, two long white candles, sparkling crystal and silverware and the small glass vase with two red roses were perfectly arranged on the table. He’d rented the entire upper level of the LeGrange restaurant to preserve their privacy. The lights had been dimmed and in the far corner near the bar a man played jazz on the piano.
Chaz was hungry, but he wasn’t worried. If Riley hadn’t accepted his dinner invitation, she would have returned his text message telling him so. Standing him up would have been too normal and Riley was anything but that. In fact, Chaz was almost certain she would have taken pleasure from personally declining his offer. The thought made him smile. Riley was competitive and proud and she did not like a dare. Even a subtle one such as having dinner with him. The whole suggestion was taking her out of her comfort zone, something Riley would not like but would be unable to resist for fear of being thought of as less than.
The latter part was what Chaz hated. The moments when he knew Riley was doubting herself despite the confidence that wrapped around her like a winter blanket.
A new text message from Chaz’s driver told him that Riley was on her way up. Chaz motioned for the server to pour the wine.
Because the room was empty Chaz could see straight across to where the elevator doors opened. When she stepped off, he stood.
Another server had been waiting at the elevator and he accepted Riley’s long black coat and ivory scarf. She kept her cream-colored purse with its gold chain strap and gold RG emblem on the front. Riley wore a long chocolate-brown pencil skirt with a matching jacket that was belted at the waist and fastened with a large button at her left shoulder. Her pumps were four-inch heels, increasing her five-foot-seven-inch height until she would be almost nose to nose with him.
She stopped in front of him, piercing him with her steady gaze. Chaz smiled and offered her a glass of wine. “Good evening.”
Riley accepted the glass but did not smile in return. “Good evening.”
“You look stunning as usual.”
She sipped from the glass. “Thank you. What are you trying to do?”
Candid. No-nonsense. Sexy.
“I’m trying to eat. Haven’t had anything since lunch so I’m starving. Here, take a seat so we can order our food.” He pulled out her chair and waited the few seconds while she contemplated if she were, in fact, going to have this meal with him, or if she’d just shown up to tell him his “date” was not acceptable and how far she planned to go, before she finally sat.
Chaz went to his side of the table and sat across from her. He took the black napkin from the plate and spread it over his lap.
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
He handed her a menu. “I’m aware. But I figure we can talk while we eat. I’ll answer all your questions and then you can tell me how your day went. Or I can start and tell you I’m thoroughly tired of meetings.”
The server arrived, and Riley gave him her order without looking at the menu. Impressed, Chaz followed her lead but ordered a bigger steak and a baked potato instead of asparagus. He was just finishing a sip of his wine when the server left them alone and Riley’s question came firing back.
