Chasing Glory (8 page)

Catherine shook her head. “What? Wait. Was this a peck you might give a brotherly type or a really good one? No, wait again. If it was brotherly, it wouldn’t bother you this much.”

“No comment,” Glory said.

Her friend poked the air with her index finger. “Oh, my God. He didn’t kiss you back.”

Glory sighed. She’d brought this on herself. “As a matter of fact, he did.”

Catherine grinned and held up her fingers. “On a scale of one to ten … ?”

Warmth crept up Glory’s neck.

“Well, hot damn.” Catherine slapped Glory’s knee. “You two are coming around.” She paused, brows drawn together. “Tell me you didn’t tell him it was a mistake.”

“Be realistic,” Glory said. “Have you forgotten who he wants to walk into the sunset with? We decided it was a temporary lapse into lust and wouldn’t happen again.”

Catherine snorted. “You’re kidding yourself.”

“Easy for you to say, now that you think Pryce is the right guy for you.”

“Okay, okay,” Catherine said. “Don’t go all crabby on me again. Just remember that kiss when you’re plotting your next trip,
alone
.”

Glory shrugged. That thought had already occurred to her at bedtime on Saturday as she’d wrapped her blankets tighter against the cold spring night. If Tal was focused on his goal, she needed to be, too. Make her balloon payment, then start saving to travel again. “Not to change the subject,” she said, meaning to do exactly that, “but have you met a character named Rudy Soreno?”

“The test kitchen’s self-appointed Lothario?” Catherine giggled. “Every woman who’s been down to test kitchen floor has. Why? Did you get Rudied?”

“Rudied?”

“Yeah. That’s what we call a close encounter with Mr. Soreno.”

Glory shook her head. “I’ve run into some macho men in my travels, but none as up close and blatant. Maybe it was the business atmosphere, I don’t know, but he had me completely on the defensive.”

“Mostly, we ignore him.” Catherine nodded. “What he really needs though, is a dose of his own medicine.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Chapter Eleven

Tal suffered a dozen pangs
of indecision as he dressed for work on Thursday. He settled on Glory’s suggestion that he wear his standard wardrobe and take his new look to change for the meeting. He sighed in relief. His debut wouldn’t fall on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, the days he met with different groups in his department. Hopefully, his comfort level would eventually kick in.

Unfortunately, the first person to clap eyes on him after he changed for the meeting was Rudy. The little man bobbed his head knowingly as he circled Tal. “Verrry nice. I used to dress like Casanova, too. Until I met my wife.” He looked down at his plaid shirt and Dockers. “Now she makes sure I look too ordinary, so as not to tempt other women. You understand.”

Tal kept a straight face. “Uh huh.”

“Is the lovely Ms. Danvers the fish for which you are wearing this bait?”

Tal would have sworn he didn’t move a muscle and couldn’t have said why he didn’t deny it, but Rudy continued “As I thought. She is beautiful and smart. If I were single, I would lay my own trap.”

Rudy’s observations irked Tal, but he wasn’t about to explain his intentions toward Alyssia. “These are not bait clothes. I’m updating my wardrobe is all. No motive.”

The short man rolled his eyes, unconvinced. “Whatever you say. I stand by my words.”

“Try standing by your status report,” Tal shot back. “It was due yesterday.”

Rudy clenched his fist against his chest. “My true talents do not lie in paperwork, but it will be on your desk by one.”

• •

Tal had been avoiding Glory for three days. As much to convince himself the kiss they’d shared, however potent, had been an anomaly. When he stepped off the elevator, she was concentrating on her computer screen. It all came rushing back, the dim lights, the view of the city, her warm, wine-tinged tongue. Tal sucked in a breath. She had made her feelings clear and she was right. He had other goals.

“Ow.” His thigh banged against the other desk in the reception area. Having embarrassed himself in front of the beautiful brunette sitting there, Tal nodded as if he’d meant to do that.

The brunette smiled. “You look terrific.”

He blinked, hoping she hadn’t also noticed he’d been staring in Glory’s direction. “Uh, thank you.”

“You usually attend these things by conference call, right?”

Tal nodded.

“I imagine the dullness level is pretty high. Would you like some coffee?”

“No thanks. Still in the large conference room?”

“Yep.”

Alyssia was already there, and alone. Her response to his appearance justified the discomfort he’d endured. She smiled in appreciation. “Why Tal. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company twice within the past week? And in an Andrea Valmarana shirt. Nice look on you.”

His plan worked. He owed Glory big and for a split second, his mind wandered to how he would like to repay her. He refocused and tried to sound as offhand as he’d practiced if Alyssia noticed. “Thanks. Thought I’d escape the basement.”

Pale blue eyes regarded him. “We look forward to your input.”

He took the chair across from Alyssia so he could watch her work and note any successes on which he could compliment her later. His choice only served to aggravate him, however. Jeff Lassiter came in and sat next to Alyssia, scooting his chair close enough to crowd her. He leaned in and pointed to agenda items, making remarks only Alyssia could hear, making her smile.

Tal considered the implication. He rarely attended the meetings and wrestled with the notion of jealousy versus two officers who got along well.

As for the jealousy; he tried to conjure up feelings of irritation toward Jeff, but only felt the usual boredom the CFO generated in him.

An hour later Tal wished he’d accepted the coffee. His mind started wandering to the ratio of ingredients in a new dark chocolate sauce with a hint of chipotle. He blinked and tried to hide his yawns, even as a review of the Welker account, and the possibility of an even bigger one, charged the meeting. When the topic changed to non-U.S. accounts, he came fully alert and interrupted. “Does anyone know if one of our clients supplies customers in Antigua?”

A flicker of surprise or something close to it crossed Alyssia’s face.

“I’m sure they don’t,” Jeff said, glancing at Alyssia. “Why?”

Tal saw mild curiosity on the faces of the other attendees. Odd there was no question about the country’s location or its dependence on tourism. All of which Tal had had to look up. Based on a plan forming in the back of his mind, he chose not to pursue the subject. “Nothing. A customer who must have been mistaken.”

“Back to the agenda?” the CFO asked.

“Sure.”

At last the meeting ended. Tal lagged behind until everyone had left except Alyssia.
Might as well go for broke
. “Can I take you to lunch?”

She cocked her head. “Something you wanted to discuss?”

“Not business,” Tal said. “I’d like to take you to lunch, that’s all.”

Alyssia tapped her stack of papers on end and lifted a slim shoulder. “Why not? My favorite sashimi bar is close.”

The thought of raw seafood on an already nervous stomach made Tal swallow hard. He lied through his teeth. “Sounds good.”

As they left, Tal winked at Glory over Alyssia’s head. She smiled in return.

Tal sighed for the third time since he and Alyssia were seated at the small, almost antiseptic, restaurant. This place was not remotely on his radar. No demi glazes and rich dessert toppings here. Thank goodness they also offered plain steamed rice. He ordered some and slipped the least repugnant looking raw fish under the edge, hoping to warm it up.

Alyssia sipped green tea and enthused about their growing list of large clients. He nodded and smiled. Despite wanting to make their first outing together a success, Tal drew a complete blank on personal topics of conversation. He was about to say something lame about the weather when Alyssia changed the subject.

“I have to admit you surprised me,” she said.

“Me?” He brightened.

“I would have sworn you were dressed to impress Glory or Catherine.” She tipped her head. “I could always be a diversion, though.” Again, her pale eyes studied him.

“I wouldn’t do that,” Tal said, feeling like a total phony. “I asked to lunch you because I like your company. And I’d like to get to know you better.” At least that was the truth.

She didn’t show any reaction to his admission, but changed the subject back to business. “So, what’s happening in the test kitchens that I can tout to our clients?”

It wasn’t the most personal of conversations, but better than nothing. At least it was safe ground. He started to tell her about the final test runs on the chocolate praline sauce, when her cellphone rang. Instead of ignoring or declining the call, she looked at the display and smiled, answering. “Hi. Where’d you get off to?”

She giggled at the response, then turned her head. “At lunch. See you in a while.”

Tal’s mood took a hit. It was obviously a personal call. One she deemed more important than his company. He thought it impolite she’d answered.

A short time later, her cellphone dinged. She glanced at it and pulled up a text. After responding, she smiled at Tal and stood.

“Thank you for lunch. I enjoyed our little chat. Maybe we can do it again.”

Tal joined her, sighing inwardly. Alyssia’s tone was pleasant and businesslike. He wasn’t giving up, but it would have been nicer had she shown
any
warmth or personal interest. Something like he had with Glory. Then again, he couldn’t have it both ways, could he? Maybe he should revisit his spreadsheet.

He pondered that idea as Alyssia walked slightly ahead and to his left toward their building, the tempo of her heels increasing. Tal looked at the approaching people and recognized Jeff Lassiter. Great.

If you were looking for a sharp business mind, Lassiter had it in spades. Still, Tal didn’t especially like the man.

Lassiter spoke directly to Alyssia, grinning. “Some intra-office thing going on I didn’t know about?”

Alyssia poked the front of his suit. “Don’t be silly. Tal and I were talking about new Kingston products.”

“Oh?” he said. “At your favorite sashimi restaurant?”

Tal made the connection. The call and text Alyssia had taken at lunch had to have been Lassiter. His mood declined further.

• •

Each Thursday’s meeting was recorded, and a word-for-word transcription sent in email. A hardcopy was also delivered to each attendee who requested one. Shelly stepped off the elevator and hurried to Glory’s desk. “I’m late meeting my friend for lunch. Please deliver these as soon as possible.”

Glory worried her bottom lip. There were three copies. One of them for Tal. Alyssia hadn’t returned, so Tal probably hadn’t either. She could hardly say “
no thanks, I’m still getting over a world-class kiss Mr. Kingston and I shared last weekend,”
could she? She stood. “Sure.”

It’s not as if Tal’s angry with me, she thought, riding the elevator down. Even though he hadn’t called to schedule their next meeting. She opened the door to his office slowly and breathed a sigh of relief when finding it empty. She dropped the paperwork on the edge of Tal’s desk, then nearly jumped a foot at the voice behind her.

“Ah. The lovely Ms. Danvers. I see we’re both avoiding Tal. My report is late. What reason do you have?”

Glory turned, then stepped away from a grinning Rudy Soreno. “I’m not avoiding anyone. I’m dropping off meeting notes. The fact that Mr. Kingston isn’t here is immaterial.”

“In that case,” Rudy said, jerking his chin up. “May I say how delicious you look today?”

Her pent-up nerves needed an outlet and Glory recalled Catherine’s suggestion. Subtle chiding wouldn’t work with this little man, so she decided to tease the teaser. She put her hands on her hips, tossed her hair, and offered a cheeky grin. Two loose-hipped strides brought her to within inches of him. “Don’t be so inhibited. You need to practice if you really want to impress. I can help. Have you heard this one? Hey, mama, mama, mama,” she crooned. “Wanna bump, bump, bump it?”

Rudy’s gaze skittered around the room as she crowded him.

Tal stepped off the elevator in time to see Rudy slip into his office, paperwork held behind him. A glance at his watch showed the report was a half-hour later than promised. Rudy no doubt intended to sneak in, leave it, and run. Cornering his best “nose” appealed to Tal right now. Until he heard voices. The view afforded by the partially open door surprised the hell out of him.

Rudy was bent backward over the side of Tal’s desk, Glory looming over him. In punctuation to her lecture, she shimmied provocatively and kissed the air around Rudy’s face. Somehow, the act, incongruously performed by a beautiful woman in a business suit, warmed Tal to his toes. Even though he stood a good twelve feet away.

Rudy’s expression turned to distressed embarrassment.

Tal smothered a laugh. Glory was now giving the short man a predatory smile, even as he slid sideways and made for the office door. He pretended to study his watch as the small man emerged. “You’re late,” Tal said, tapping the crystal.

Rudy’s head bobbled as he nearly broke into a run down the hall.

Tal stepped to the doorway as Glory appeared, red-faced. “Please tell me you didn’t see that,” she said.

“’Fraid so.”

Her gaze searched the floor. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“Hey, I enjoyed it.”

She brought her gaze up to his neck. “He sort of had it coming. But mine was very unprofessional behavior.”

“I told him the other day he was going to pick the wrong woman,” Tal said, entranced by her creamy pink jawline. “And his behavior needed checking. I was thinking along the lines of a harassment suit. Giving him a taste of his own medicine was way better.”

Glory started to giggle. “It
was
kind of fun.”

And a total turn on
. However, she’d be mortified if he told her that. He wanted to share moments like this with Alyssia, but had a hard time imagining her in a situation where her sense of humor could come into play. He wasn’t sure she had one, but maybe all it needed were the right circumstances.

Tal grinned and held out his hand. “We still a team?”

She took it and raised her gaze. “Yes.”

He enjoyed the momentary warmth of her skin. “Good, we need to discuss our next strategy. Could you come down about noon tomorrow? I don’t have any staff reviews scheduled.”

Beautiful blue eyes searched his for an instant, speculating on something he could only guess at; maybe her decision to accept his offer. “Okay,” she said. “We can brainstorm while we eat. I have a few more ideas that might work.”

Tal watched Glory walk to the elevators. Barely a week had passed since she’d agreed to help him and he relished the time he spent with her. As a means to Alyssia, of course. He went into his office and closed the door, then changed into his comfortable clothes.

• •

Glory called Catherine as soon as she got back to her desk. “When did you say Pryce was returning?”

“Tonight. Why?”

“Aside from his lunch with Alyssia today, Tal is stuck for more ways to get together with her outside the office. I had a glimmer of an idea I was going to share with him tomorrow, but I wanted to run it by you first because it involves Pryce.”

“What is it?”

“Tal’s got a really great roomy place. I thought since Pryce will be moving here, Tal could host a small, tasteful gathering for him on Sunday evening. Pryce is a major account, so Alyssia would almost certainly attend if invited. Tal would have the home court advantage and maybe be more relaxed.”

“Just because she shows doesn’t mean Tal will be able to make a chip in the ice,” Catherine said. “But it’s worth a try. What are you going to suggest he serve?”

“I was thinking a selection of empanadas and tapas and some good Washington wine. Then mini tarts with Kingston chocolate sauce garnishes. Not a lot for Tal to do but heat up the savory bits.”

“I like it. I’ll invite two or three local couples to make it look legit. I set up a friend with a commercial broker who would love to meet Pryce.”