Chapter 4-Ezra
Unbelievable.
“I’m sorry, sir. Have we met?”
Wait a second… She doesn’t remember me? What in the blue fuck? “You cannot be serious,” I bark. How can she not remember me when I’ve never forgotten her?
From the moment we met, I was putting my foot in it around Callie. So smooth on the ice and a total disaster off of it, that was me, thinking I knew everything while she was so aggravating… and irresistible.
I hated her being with Chase for reasons I didn’t want to admit to myself. But, I hated how she later tried to ruin his college career even more.
“You dated my brother at Princeton when I played for New York. I knew you as Callie Abara. Did you marry or something?” I demand, displeased by the thought.
She lifts her chin, her hazel eyes narrowing with that spark I recall all too well. “Do you make a habit of asking strangers about their marital status?”
Do you make a habit…
The familiar words, those eyes and the faint scent of orange blossoms. She even wore a hummingbird mask. Fucking hell, she’s the woman from the ball! I should’ve known.
“Cut the crap, little hummingbird.” She winces. Should’ve chosen your mask for the ball more carefully. “I know it’s you, I know we danced together at the ball the other night and I know you haven’t completely forgotten me from years ago either.”
For several seconds, she stares at me like I’ve lost my mind – have I lost my mind? – and I get the uncomfortable feeling again that maybe she has forgotten me.
But then, I see the sullen surrender and the fawn glow of her cheeks at being caught. “Fine. I remember you, Mr. Sokolov. Happy?”
Christ, I’m Mister Sokolov now? “Ecstatic,” I deadpan, feeling anything but.
Dean Culver silently crosses the room, positioning himself between us like I’m about to attack her. Son of a bitch, he lied to me yesterday. He places a protective hand on her elbow. I want to rip his hand away from her flawless skin.
“Ms. Anderson, I apologize for interrupting but we’ll need you to step out while we hold a meeting in here,” Sorvino says firmly, giving her an exit after talking up Ms. Anderson and her greeter bots to me all morning. Butt out, asshole. “Would you mind heading up to my office and asking Grace-”
“No,” I growl, stopping her in her tracks with my hard stare. Years of wondering what became of Callie Abara and they’re trying to block me from even speaking to her? Who do they think they’re dealing with? “You said Ms. Anderson would be giving the presentation and I want Ms. Anderson to stay and show me what she’s prepared. I am one of your biggest clients at present.”
“In case you’ve not looked at the Fortune 500 lately, we have a lot of clients,” Sorvino growls back.
“And, in case you’ve not looked lately, your company is getting a reputation for being something of a behemoth in the industry, snapping up every smaller firm in your way and cornering the market. Success does tend to lead to contempt that way. Meanwhile, San Francisco has been so welcoming to my team, not to mention the excitement of hockey fans nationwide over a new team in the league. I’d hate to publicly express my dissatisfaction with your company when we’ve been getting along so well.”
It’s a bit of a bluff but a company’s reputation is vitally important in today’s social media-driven world where anyone might live or die in the court of public opinion. Just ask my brother.
“I don’t give a fuck what you-”
“There is no need for our companies not to continue working well together. I’m more than happy to present all the relevant aspects of what Ms. Anderson’s been working on,” Culver says, cutting off Sorvino and trying to placate me. I’m not placated, pretty boy.
“I’d rather hear it from her. These are expensive little toys and I have final say over any enhancements to the arena that I may deem an unnecessary expense.”
“You said you wanted something special, something that would wow guests,” she says, jumping in with her eyes flashing.
“I do,” I agree before shifting my attention back to the men. “If she designed and programmed these so-called greeter bots you’re so eager to sell me, why can’t she convince me of their usefulness?”
“Because she-”
“It’s okay, Dean.” I absolutely despise her calling him by his first name for some reason. “This is my project. If this gentleman wants to hear my presentation, he can take a seat,” she says, glaring at me like she wishes she could cut me to ribbons with her eyes. I wonder how long she’s been working on these things while probably cursing my name.
I give her a smirk and take a seat but I can’t say I feel like a victor. I’ve pissed her off. Again. And, while Culver obviously knows how to play the manners game, I have a feeling I’d better keep Sorvino in my peripheral view.
Twenty minutes later, she’s sold me on the damn high-dollar toys while talking way over my head in terms of robotics, not that I’m surprised by that. She set me straight that she wasn’t the sort Chase usually dated the day we met after all.
But, I don’t want to admit I’m impressed just yet. “I’d need to see them in action,” I say, rapping my fingers on the armrest of my chair. “We’re hosting a fan event on Saturday evening at the arena. Lots of press will be present. Can you have a working model ready to display by then?”
“Of course, I can. We already have all of them ready to go,” she snaps.
I bite my bottom lip and cherish the way she squirms when I repeat her words, “All of them ready to go?” If they’re all ready, they certainly want to make the sale.
Sorvino glowers at the ceiling while Culver sighs quietly. But, Callie loses that familiar spark as she worriedly stares at her bosses. She’s afraid they’ll be upset with her. And, I don’t like that.
“Very good. You’ll come to the event and show them off. If they wow hockey fans, I’ll buy them all.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll buy them all.”
“No, the other part.”
“The part where you’ll be at the event? I need you there to answer any questions for the press or arena personnel.”
“You’re not obligated to do any such thing, Callie,” Sorvino says. Who died and made you her guardian? Trifling prick.
But, I see that chin lift a little higher and how she squares her shoulders before she gives me her answer. “I’ll be there. Client satisfaction is very important to us at Golden Gate, Mr. Sokolov.”
Damn, she looks fucking sexy in her skirt and blouse. I can’t wait to see what she wears to the event. “Your client loves to hear that, Ms. Ander-”
“Hopefully, you won’t mind if I bring my date along.”
Date?!What date?
She turns on her heel to leave the room before I can stop her. I start to follow but there are two men roughly my size standing in my way. These fuckers. And, there are four security guards approaching from the direction Callie disappeared in.
Satisfied that I’m about to be shown the door, Sorvino stalks away without another word while Culver flashes a shit-eating grin my way. “Thank you for your impromptu visit, Mr. Sokolov, but I’m afraid that’s all the time we can spare for you today.”
I’m forced to fake a smile and take my leave. We don’t need both Sokolov brothers making headlines for fighting this week.
And, I’ll be seeing her soon enough. I won’t allow her to flit away from me again.