Page 14 of Mr. Hotshot CEO

She looks at her latte. “I don’t go to the movies very often these days, and although I know there are a bunch of young white male actors named Chris, I can’t remember any of their last names.”

“I’m Julian. Julian Fong,” I tell her. “And I don’t watch many movies, either.” Usually, I’m far too busy to have time for movies.

“You’re the guy who runs Fong Investments, aren’t you?”

“That would be me.”

“A CEO is trying to pick me up.” She laughs. “That’s never happened before.”

“I’m not trying to pick you up. Well, not exactly.”

Maybe I sort of am. As I said, she’s very pretty. I imagine having her all to myself in my enormous bed...

I’m getting off track.

“I’ve noticed you,” I say. “You always have a latte. But is it always a gingerbread latte? That, I’m not sure. I heard you order once.”

“Always gingerbread. It’s the best. Tonight, it’s also decaf.”

“Decaf.” I make a face. “That defeats the purpose.”

“Ah, but the primary purpose of my gingerbread lattes is not as a source of caffeine.”

“Whatisthe purpose?”

“They make me happy.”

She states it so simply.

Yes. She is the right woman for this. She’s exactly what I need.

She lifts up her cup and holds it up to my nose. “Doesn’t it smell amazing?”

“It does.” Admittedly, it’s probably much more delicious than my espresso.

If I’m honest with myself, I don’t particularly like the taste of a straight espresso; I just appreciate its efficiency. I consume a lot of caffeine to keep me going, and espressos are the most efficient way to do so.

Our fingers collide as she puts the cup down, and the contact of her skin against mine catches me off guard. I swallow.

“So, Julian Fong,” she says, “whatdoyou want with me?”

“I’m being forced to take two weeks off work,” I begin.

“You are being forced,” she repeats, “to take a vacation?”

“Yes. My family thinks I’m a workaholic in desperate need of some time away from the office. Initially, I figured I’d just take a few days off and hope that would get them off my back, but now I’m thinking I really do need a full two weeks. I’ve been stressed lately. Not sleeping well.”

I’m not being efficient. I’m not getting right to the point. This isn’t like me.

“But I have a problem,” I say. “I don’t know how to take a break. How to have fun. I ended up at the office again today because I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

She frowns. “I’m not sure I can help you. I’m not exactly a fun person, either. I have no plans this weekend, aside from going on a long walk to a gelateria in Leslieville. They make a delicious lemon cherry sour cream gelato. Welcome to my not-so-exciting life.”

“You’re perfect.”

“No one’s ever said that to me before.”

“What’s your name?”