Page 11 of Open To Negotiation

Did he think that because we didn’t talk business or because I had been unprofessional most of the time? Probably both. And that had a slight blush heating my cheeks and the tips of my ears. My response to embarrassment was to shut down but it didn’t mean I broke eye contact with him.

“This doesn’t happen to him often,” Noah muttered to Oli as Theo and I sat there locked in a staring contest I was determined to win.

I noticed the movement over his shoulder and pulled my card out, ready for Valeria.

“All set here?” she asked as she stood next to the table. I was about to hand her my card when Theo smirked and looked over at her.

“Yes, ma’am. Put it on my bill.” She didn’t even look at me as she kissed his cheek and walked away, not taking anything from him.

“We eat here so often now she just has a tab going for us,” Noah provided as Theo stood up, unrolled his sleeves, and shrugged his jacket back on.

I sat there holding my credit card out for another few moments before Theo looked down at me and quirked an eyebrow.

“Ready, Quinn?” I hated that even though he ignored me for most of the lunch, the use of my name sent butterflies rushing in my stomach.

My stomach was apparently an unreliable bitch. Being charmed by his dark hair, sharp jaw and enticing, grumbly accent.

“I was supposed to take you and your business associates for lunch.” I didn’t know why this was bothering me. But I was feeling off-kilter, and this was something I thought I would have control over.

He didn’t say anything else, just pulled my chair back from the table as I tried not to squeak in surprise. He held his arm out for me to leave before him. Oli and Noah were already on their way out the door. I didn’t have another option so I shoved my wallet back in my purse, stood up and strode past him without looking back.

I knew that my anxiety would replay every moment, every comment I made and berate me for it as I tried to fall asleep tonight. How I could have said something more charming or funny or witty. How I should have been more professional or more friendly. I would come up with a hundred different alternatives for how I wish the conversations had gone.

Valeria wasn’t at the counter as we left, and I kept my gaze forward as I walked through the door Oli was holding open for me. The guys fell into step beside me, this time Theo stayed behind but I could feel his eyes on me.

I think part of what was bothering me was that the time had gone too quickly. I hadn’t spent the lunch looking at the clock, hoping that my guests would finish eating so we could leave. I’d been enjoying myself and forgot why I was there. So the fact that it was ending and I wouldn’t see them again was bothering me.

And it was bothering me that it was bothering me.

“I can make my way from here,” I said as Noah pulled the door to my office building open. “It was great to meet you all. I hope your business does well here.”

“We’ll walk you up,” Theo grumbled from behind me.

I chose to ignore him.

It was childish and unnecessary, but I’d already blown any semblance of professionalism so I didn’t need to fake anything now.

He hadn’t even really participated in lunch. And it wasn’t bothering me at all. Nope. Not at all.

We rode the elevator to the seventh floor in silence and as I stepped out, I turned to them with a smile plastered on my face.

“Thank you for lunch.” I held my hand out to Oli first who shook my hand while trying to look serious. Noah was next and I could tell he was pressing his lips together to stop himself from smiling as he shook my hand. Theo looked down at my hand then back at my face while my arm hung awkwardly in the air. “Alrighty then.”

Since he didn’t appear to want to shake my hand, I turned to leave, trying to hide the flush that had overtaken my cheeks. I kept telling myself that it didn’t matter if he was rude, I would never see him again.

I froze when his hand gently grabbed my wrist to pull me to a stop. I looked back at him with a raised eyebrow and a tight jaw.

“Can I see you tonight?” I was taken aback by Theo’s question considering he’d seemingly been uninterested since we sat down at the restaurant.

“No. I have plans.” I was mad at myself for justifying the no. I shouldn’t have to.

“Hot date?” Oli asked from behind us.

I just smiled at him, not refuting his comment and looked back at Theo who had a frown on his face, it was deeper than it was before. An impressive feat it would seem. I assumed he wasn’t used to hearing no.

“Can I have your number?” Theo’s voice was low. I pulled my hand away and he let me go easily.

“Nope. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Knight. Good luck with your business.” I turned and walked away quickly before I lost my resolve and gave him my number.