Chapter 6
Graham
It was as though she held a mysterious power, a hidden gem that sparkled in her unassuming demeanor, luring us in with a magnetic pull that we couldn't resist.
She'd never indicated that she aspired to management, wanted to date anyone, let alone her boss, or was interested in any or all of us. She kept her desires and intentions close to her chest, leaving us to wonder and speculate endlessly, adding to the enigma that surrounded her.
I fumbled for words and could not even address her all morning. She captivated me the first moment I saw her serving at the party. There was something about her that drew me to her even then. I couldn't figure out what made her tick, but that only made her all the more intriguing. Her presence was like a magnet, pulling us all in with a force that we couldn't resist. And yet, despite her allure, she remained distant, hidden behind a veil of mystery that made her even more irresistible.
Without the wig and baggy clothes, her true beauty was even more striking. She’d let her long, flowing hair escape its clip. It cascaded down her back in waves, framing her delicate features. Her eyes, a limitless blue, but filled with pain and longing that carried the cloud of a wounded animal. She had a vulnerability in her eyes that made her all the more captivating, like a wounded bird who still manages to sing despite its broken wings. A vulnerability that every fiber of my being couldn't help but feel a deep desire to shield from any harm. To be her protector and her haven.
Her every movement caught my eye, and I couldn't stop watching her. Georgia bumped my chair in the conference room, and it was more than just a tiny bump."Oh, excuse me, sir,"she said, smirking.
I hadn't realized I was staring as Scarlett moved about the room, setting out the packets for today's meeting with a sporting goods line we hoped to pair with Brody.
Georgia smiled and handed me a packet of the pages Scarlett had prepared."Mr. Clarke, could I talk to you about something?"
"Huh?"I wasn't even paying attention. I simply couldn't focus.
"Yes sir, please… In your office?"Georgia nudged me slightly and smiled when I looked up at her.
"Oh, sure."I grabbed the coffee she'd given me and headed for the doorway without taking my gaze off of Scarlett. There was something in all the things Drake was talking about that had my mind in a spin.
Once we entered my office, Georgia closed the door and spun around, glaring at me."Mr. Clarke, please take a moment to compose yourself!"
"What?"I was stunned that she'd spoken to me with such a bite."What do you mean?"
"You look like a smitten schoolboy, staring at poor Scarlett the way you were."
"I was?"I stammered, not realizing anyone would notice."I was just wondering how she was doing,"I lied.
"I'm sure you were."Georgia's movements were sharp and precise, her hands landing firmly on her hips as she glared at me. The corners of her mouth were pulled down in a faux scowl, but her eyes held a glint of amusement as she stood there waiting for me to say something.
I started for the door and said,"I'm sorry, you're right. I'll…"
"You'll be fine, but you need to relax."
"I know,"I said, feeling scolded like an errant schoolboy.
My mouth felt dry, and I could almost taste the bitter feeling of being caught in the act of staring at Scarlett. My throat tightened with a hint of nervousness as I stood wordlessly before her.
Georgia is the best assistant I could ever ask for. She's older and, at times, much wiser than I am. She never has an issue telling me when I need straightening. She's been with me since I started with this company. We’d worked together but also had many conversations about other things, and I knew to listen to her.
“After the meeting, why don’t you take her to lunch?” she asked, surprising me with the suggestion.
“That would be great, but we can’t leave with that guy out there. She needs to stay where she can be protected.” I was almost shouting, my voice raised in frustration.
“Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t take her to lunch right here.” She smirked at me again.
“Can you…” I looked at her hopefully.
She cut me off before I could say more. “Set it up? Absolutely. Now, you best get into the conference room and win that account so you both have something to celebrate.”
I hurried toward the door but stopped and turned back to her. “Thank you, Georgia. What would I do without you?”
She waved me off and laughed as she followed me onto the mezzanine, where she paused to look over the cubicles.
I entered the conference room for the meeting, offering a curt nod to everyone as I moved toward my seat at the far end of the table. Brody had arrived and was seated at the other end of the table, along with Drake who was busily taking some notes. The client sat on my right side with his assistant while Scarlett sat to my left.
I scanned the table, watching Scarlett surrounded by myself, Drake and Brody. Her usually serious expression had softened into a beaming smile, her bright blue eyes shining with genuine happiness. As she slid the folder towards me, her face was illuminated with joy.
I moved to take it, placing my hand on top of hers and felt a jolt of electricity that radiated from her skin into mine. My heart leaped in my chest, and she smiled. Feeling immediately self-conscious, I looked around the table to see Drake grinning at me knowingly, his gaze amused.
The meeting went well, and we signed the client as I’d expected we would. Brody and Drake had to leave to meet Jonathan at the gym, and Scarlett looked a little sad. I could see that she did have feelings for them both in how she politely pecked each of their cheeks, and they both reached out to touch her shoulder or hand. It was all innocent enough to anyone on the outside, but I knew.
Brody spoke briefly with Stewart who confirmed that we’d all meet later at Brody’s house. I promised to bring her and April home, and the others would go for Christian. I was aware that April and the guys planned to go over after work but felt relieved that I, too, had been asked to come.
Once everyone left the conference room, I stood alone with my fingers grazing the back of the chair Scarlett had been seated in. My thoughts raced around the appropriateness of dating her. I was suddenly unsure and worried it might be a conflict here at work. While there was no policy forbidding it, I knew that once known, it would raise some eyebrows.
I let out a loud sigh as Georgia entered the room. “Lunch is ready in your office,” she said with a little sadness in her tone when she saw my look. “What’s got you perplexed?”
“I don’t know. I guess it is just second thoughts about revealing how I feel. Is it appropriate?”
“Do you feel it is?”
I shrugged and paced, staring out the window. My body moved with the restlessness of a caged bird, my mind a flurry of indecision as I gazed out at the mundane scene of passing cars and people on the street below.
“Well, it is, after all, only lunch. It is not uncommon to celebrate a big deal. See where your feelings take you.” She smiled warmly.
“Thanks, Georgia.”
Her head lowered in acceptance as I passed by her to ask Scarlett to lunch. Her door was closed, and she sat chatting with April. I stood in front of the door a moment and took a deep breath before lightly knocking on it.
April immediately opened the door. “Mr. Clarke, come on in.”
Scarlett stood. “Graham, did you need something?”
“Uh… Well, yes. I’d like you to join me in my office.”
She grabbed a pad and hurried around the desk as though she needed to take notes, and I felt a little silly not saying it right.
“I meant to say… Will you join me in my office for lunch? I thought we might celebrate the win today and since you can’t… Well, we can’t go. I mean…” I was stumbling over my words, and April smiled reassuringly at me.
“Oh, that is a great idea,” April interjected. “Go on, Scarlett. I can take care of all of this.”
“You sure?”
April nodded and winked at her. She turned to me and nodded her head at the elbow I’d held out for Scarlett to hold. Scarlett laced her arm through it with raised eyebrows, and we headed for my office.
I hadn’t checked on what she’d done for lunch. We’d already had pizza earlier, but as I walked in, my eyes were drawn to the small table set up in my office. The white tablecloth was adorned with a beautiful spread of delicate snacks, including colorful fruits and small finger sandwiches. In the center, candles burned and a bottle of wine reflected the flickering light. The curtains were pulled shut, casting a warm glow from the lamps placed in the corners. The harsh overhead fluorescent lights had been turned off, and my usually sterile office now looked inviting and cozy.