Chapter 14
Marilyn
“Besides,” I say, “I agreed to go to this dinner before you were an ass. Your being an ass shouldn’t have been a surprise. I stick to my word.”
I’m also not sad about having Ricky at my side in front of Bryce. I truly give two shits about him, but the whole “no threat” comment hit me wrong. I’m not a threat, because I’m off and on again with someone a thousand times more interesting and exponentially more handsome.
“I owe you.”
“You do.”
For a moment, I take in Ricky’s profile, protruding brow, high cheekbones, and strong, defined jaw. The years of working out in the elements have carved their way into his features, creating a rugged and handsome exterior. The physical labor has sculpted and toned his body in a way gyms are incapable of doing. In the masculine world, there are those who fit without trying and those who will never fit, no matter how much they try. Ricky Dunn fits.
Ricky pulls his car up to the front of the hotel. Reaching over to my arm, he grins. “I’ll valet park. No sense making you walk across a parking lot in those shoes.”
“If you think by being nice, I’ll forget you’re an ass, you’re wrong.”
He chuckles. “What can I say? I’m a nice ass.”
A doorman opens my door and helps me to the sidewalk as Ricky gets out of the car to speak with the valet. Watching as he stands, I agree he has a nice ass.
Despite the cold winter chill and the way my breath forms small little clouds, the front of the Carmichael is stunning, bright, and inviting.
I stiffen for only a second, as Ricky lays his hand in the small of my back.
Dating.
Touching.
Letting out a breath, I tell myself again that I can do this.
Together, we walk into the lobby. The black-and-white tile floor shines, reflecting the large chandelier lights above. A sign points us up a grand staircase to the Parker and Stevens reception.
“Do you have any last-minute advice?” he asks as we begin our ascent.
“You want my advice? What was it you said…we’ve known each other since I was a kid.”
Ricky lifts his hands. “Guilty as charged. Would it be weird to admit that I don’t see the age difference the way I used to? And on top of that, when it comes to wealth management, you got your shit together long before me.”
It isn’t weird.
The age difference isn’t as pronounced as it once was. I suppose that’s silly, because the ten years haven’t changed. Instead, we’ve changed. “Besides Herold Parker and Ralph Stevens, there will be multiple people from the talent acquisition team, most with dates or spouses.”
“I’m glad I’m not walking in there alone.”
“My advice is talk to as many people as possible. When they leave tonight, you want them to remember Richard Dunn.”
After checking our coats, we enter the cocktail room. I peer around, seeing both familiar and unfamiliar faces. “See the older man over there, with the woman in the blue?” Ricky looks in the same direction. “That’s Mr. Stevens.”
As if he can hear me, which I’m relatively certain he can’t, Mr. Stevens looks in our direction. His lips curl and cheeks rise.
“I’ll introduce you,” I volunteer as we approach the Stevenses.
“Ms. James,” Mr. Stevens says with a nod. “What a nice surprise, seeing you here tonight. I’m confident we’ve already hired you.”
“You have.” I return his smile.
“Hello, Marilyn,” Mrs. Stevens says.
“Hello. It’s good to see you.” I turn back to Mr. Stevens. “I’m such a satisfied employee, I’ve recommended Parker and Stevens to my”—I barely hesitate—“friend. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, this is Richard Dunn.”
Ricky and Mr. Stevens shake hands.
“Thank you for inviting me tonight,” Ricky says.
I take a step back, observing as Ricky and Mr. Stevens carry on a conversation. A bit of pride comes to life inside me while listening to Ricky’s responses. He’s done his homework.
Mrs. Stevens steps closer and lowers her voice. “How do you know Mr. Dunn?”
Tearing my eyes away from the two men, I turn to her and smile. “We come from the same hometown. We’ve known each other for most of my life.”
“He’s older than most of the applicants.”
“I’d say that’s a positive,” I respond. “He’s more likely to be a stable employee.”
“Oh, heavens. I didn’t mean it as a negative. Ralph mentioned his name.”
“I hope that’s good for Rich.”
“I would say by looking at the way the two are talking, it is good.”
A waiter stops with a tray of champagne flutes. I take two, a second for Ricky. Mrs. Stevens and I chat about something rather mundane. It isn’t until Ricky looks around that I excuse myself and step to his side.
“This is for you,” I say, offering him the glass.
“Thank you.” He turns back to Mr. Stevens. “I look forward to speaking about this in greater detail on Monday.”
“My assistant will set up a time.”
It isn’t until we step away that I ask excitedly, “What was that about? He wants to talk to you Monday?”
Ricky reaches for my hand. While the warmth of his touch travels through my bloodstream, I’m not sure he even realizes what he’s doing. “He asked me about my parents’ farm and what I did on it.”
“He asked you about the farm?”
“It seems that those individuals still fortunate enough to farm succeed due to their size and worth. Mr. Stevens wants to structure a financial wealth plan that would work for farmers. The income isn’t as reliable as other professions, and there are a long list of variables. He wants someone who understands the business to work on the research and development.”
“Oh my God, Ricky, that’s fantastic. Research and development isn’t outlined in the new starting position. This could be big.”
Letting go of my hand, he wraps his arm around me and gives me a hug. “I owe this to you.”
“No, you owe it to your hard work.”
“Marilyn.”
Ricky and I take a step apart and turn to the deep voice. I clench my teeth together at the sight of my ex-boyfriend. I force a smile. “Bryce, I see you made it.”
It doesn’t take two seconds before Ricky steps closer, no doubt remembering that this is my ex.
A woman appears at Bryce’s side.
“Beth decided she was up to attending.”
This is the woman who said I wasn’t a threat.
I plaster a smile on my lips and offer her my free hand. “Hello, Beth. I’m Marilyn.”
“Nice to finally meet you.” Her focus isn’t on me, but on Ricky.
I reach for his arm and lean closer. “Bryce and Beth, this is my date, Richard Dunn.”
Everyone greets one another.
“Richard…” Bryce says. “Yes, I remember looking at your portfolio. I had no idea you knew Marilyn.”
Ricky smiles down at me and back to Bryce. “For most of our lives—hers, at least.”
When we step away, Ricky lowers his voice. “Obviously, you broke up with him. Because no one would pick her over you.”
I scoff. “I think there’ve been four or five between me and Beth.”
“He still likes you.”
Remembering what Devan said about men I don’t like, I grin. “Who was that again?”
By the time the dinner is complete and people are beginning to disperse, Ricky and I have made our way around the room, talking to the partners, members of the talent acquisition team, and other candidates. I hadn’t considered Ricky’s age until we met more of the candidates. Mrs. Stevens had a point about how young they all are.
Back at the coat check, Ricky helps me with my coat, leaning down and whispering in my ear. “I said I owe you. When would you like to collect?”
Warmth fills my cheeks, because I’m certain he’s not thinking about the same kinds of reparations as I am. “No need. Take me home and we can wave to each other once you’re working in the firm.”
Ricky reaches for the lapels of my wool coat, tugging me closer, filling my field of vision until he’s all I can see. “I don’t want to wave at you.”
Perhaps it’s the alcohol we’ve consumed or the high from everyone’s reaction to Ricky, but I’ve forgotten about last night, and my confidence is returning. “What do you want?”
“How about I take you out for a celebration?”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah, we could go to any of the restaurants around here.”
“You could come to my place.”
Ricky brings his lips together. “Are you inviting me?”
I nod. “No strings. Just a more private celebration.”