Page 26 of A Heart of Little Faith
Lily fiddled with her martini glass and dragged her fingers through the condensation on the sides.
What would those hands feel like on my body?
“How is the new drug launch going?”
“Fine.”Jeez, what is my problem? I’m sitting here with a beautiful woman and all I can give is one-word answers? That’s because whenever I look at her I have to fight not to be drawn to her. She wiggled her foot and clenched her jaw in time to some beat only she could hear. He had to do something to relax her. All he needed was for her to walk out in a huff and leave him to face his client alone. “How’s work going for you? Did you ever solve the software problem you were telling me about?”
Lily’s eyes shone like emeralds reflecting the sun. “We did, although it isn’t the best launch we’ve ever done. The good news is there’ve been no other major disasters, and it’s going to wind down soon.”
“Good, glad to hear it.” Gideon raced to find something else to discuss to preserve the easygoing manner between them. “How’s Claire doing? Is she okay now about her dad?”
Lily smiled, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes. He had to do better. “Yes, she’s okay now. I’m learning life with a six-year-old is a series of intense thunderstorms, followed by deceptive calm.”
Gideon huffed. “Sounds relaxing.”
“It’s a day at the beach.” She snorted and took a last sip of the martini. Gideon’s clients entered the restaurant.It’s show time. With a nod to Lily, he led her over to them, welcomed them to the city and made introductions.
“Lily, it’s good to meet you,” the large florid man named Steve said, as he shook her hand. An overpowering tang of Brut encased him and Gideon breathed through his mouth. “Where has Gideon been hiding you?” He took her arm and led her to the table the hostess prepared, leaving the others to fend for themselves. Lily glanced at Gideon, but continued to walk with Steve.
“I only moved back to the city a few months ago.”
Steve’s hand rested close to her breast—Gideon’s face heated and his pulse raced as an overwhelming anger threatened to spill over. If he dared to do anything… The sound of Lily’s voice, cool and calm, doused his emotions as he realized she could handle him and he focused his attention to Steve’s wife, Pat. Gideon led Pat to the table and sat next to her. Lily and Steve sat across from them. Lily gave him a small smile, but inside he seethed. He still didn’t like how Steve manhandled her.If I wasn’t in a wheelchair, that never would have happened. He caught himself.If I wasn’t in a wheelchair, I wouldn’t have made this bargain with Lily and she wouldn’t have been here in the first place. And Steve is Steve. He takes over every situation, regardless of who is with him. Gideon took a deep breath and focused on Pat.
“So, have you had much time today to do anything in New York?” He plastered his best tell-me-all-about-you grin on his face as he ignored her husband.
“Well, we did a little shopping…”
Gideon listened with half an ear to the mousy woman next to him. Her shrill tone jangled his already taut nerves and jarred his eardrums. From previous experience, he knew she’d speak forever about nothing, and would complain about everything she saw and did. It was going to be a long evening. He watched Lily out of the corner of his eye—a breath of fresh air amid the multitude of floral scents of the women around him—and his admiration for her increased by the minute. Steve could be hard to handle—even for him—and she controlled him with aplomb. Gracious and engaging, she kept Steve enthralled. He wished he and Lily could talk with such ease. A sudden thought made him pause.Maybe it’s me.
The waitress came for their drink orders. Lily and Gideon both ordered club sodas, while the rest of the party ordered martinis and wine spritzers.
“No drinking and driving, eh Gideon?” Steve boomed, and laughed at his own joke.
Gideon inhaled, amazed at the man’s temerity. Before he could reply, Lily responded.
“We got here a little early and are already one up on you, Steve.”
“Well, I guess I’d better catch up.” He started to chug his drink. Unfortunately for him, a glance from his wife stopped him and he slowed down.
Gideon watched the exchange with awe. Between Lily and Pat, they tamed Steve, which enabled him to relax.
After they perused the menu, everyone placed their dinner orders, and soon the men brought the conversation around to business. In the meantime, the women spoke about their day shopping in the city. Typical of tourists, they thought the prices were high and the sales people rude. They could be, unless you knew how to work them. Their conversation moved onto their plans for the next day. The women wanted to go to a museum, but were having difficulty deciding which one.
“I like the Guggenheim,” Lily offered. “The art is always interesting and the building itself is fun. Their cafeteria is good, too.”
“Well, I’m not one for modern art,” one of the women said, “but we can try it this time.”
Dinner arrived and everyone fell silent as they tasted their meals. Gideon caught Lily’s eye as he savored his smoky flavored filet mignon. He winked, and she grinned back. Whatever tension he’d felt faded, and he relaxed. He leaned more casually, rested his arm on the table and smiled at some of the jokes. When Pat called the waitress over to complain about her meal, Gideon made a face at Lily, who choked in response.
“Are you okay, my dear?” Steve patted her back, concern showing in the grooves of his forehead. Gideon’s tight glare would have stopped him instantly if Steve noticed it, but he focused on Lily, and stared at her cleavage.
“I’m fine,” she gasped. She changed positions and made eyes at Gideon, who leered and waggled his eyebrows at her. She gave him a murderous look and continued with her meal, smiling as he realized he was actually enjoying himself.
Two hours, several reorders, drinks and dessert later, the meal ended and Gideon and Lily escorted Steve, Pat and their entourage into waiting taxis. The cars pulled away.
“Wow,” Lily said.
Gideon nodded. “Yeah, you can say that again.”