Page 62 of The Best Man: Unfinished Business

Chapter Thirty-eight

Jordan

“This place is sexy…” Jordan leaned forward toward the candlelit tabletop at the well-appointed Funke restaurant in Beverly Hills.

Across from her, Brian sipped his glass of red wine, holding it in the sophisticated yet familiar way that she’d gotten used to when they were dating—and without a ring on his finger, that finger, still.

This white boy looks good, Jordan noticed.

“I think it’s still the best pasta in town,” Brian remarked, pulling up the menu. “But the fish off the grill is phenomenal.”

“Fish it is, then,” Jordan volleyed back with an air toast of her sidecar glass in his direction.

Somehow, she’d managed to resuscitate her hair and massage at least most of the puff from underneath her eyes.

Strategically applied makeup gave a lot of camouflage, and a sexy low-cut black dress did the rest of the repair job on Jordan’s confidence.

The air down below hit her insides and she squeezed her legs together, feeling a little naughty about coming to dinner so well prepared for dessert.

At the table, they’d already had a chance to catch up on the basics.

Brian had some new business venture going on.

Jordan spoke in generalities about her numerous projects.

And she wondered still, even after appetizers and a near-empty second round of drinks, what had spurred his outreach and how long they’d need to sit here before they could leave and get down to real business.

When the waiter came back, Brian took command, ordering what seemed like a sampling of the entire menu, including the pricey grilled whole branzino.

Jordan didn’t usually register prices for what she ordered, but he was so generous in his selections that she couldn’t help but be reminded of his wealth.

Brian grew up in a family that had bankers and politicians, and businesses that had been started generations ago.

“You brought me here to spoil me?” Jordan teased with a wink as soon as the waiter left.

Brian tilted his well-coiffed head of dark hair and smiled at her with his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. “You think I didn’t learn anything in the time we spent together?”

Jordan started to warm in her center. She liked how this was going, and so did her body. “As I recall it, you became somewhat of a pro at learning what I like.” Jordan held Brian’s eye with full intensity as she pulled a sip from her drink into her mouth.

For a moment, Brian seemed hypnotized. He was still like a statue, mesmerized.

I knew it, Jordan thought. She had him. He drew in a sharp breath and leaned back in his chair.

Oh shit, what’s that about? He was headed in the wrong direction.

She resisted the urge to reach for his knee under the table.

“Jordan,” Brian said like they were in an office, rather than a dimly lit restaurant. “What I wanted to talk about was this new company. It’s a big opportunity and we need the right person, the right woman, who knows what she’s doing.”

Shock gripped Jordan around her vocal cords.

This wasn’t at all what she expected. She wanted some rebound dick, not a fucking business opportunity.

“Oh. Umm…Brian…I…” She shook her head no, even before she could bring the words to her lips.

This wasn’t how the evening was supposed to be going.

Not down this path. “This isn’t where I am right now, professionally,” she said.

“I’m looking more toward…” What was she looking toward?

Her pitch to Evelyn had fallen completely flat.

Was she really thinking of trying that again?

Like a fool? Hell no, she resolved. “I’m looking more toward opportunities that are under my own direction. ”

Brian’s face lit up in a way she didn’t expect.

His response was animated. “See, Jordan, that’s just it,” he said.

“That’s exactly what we’d want you to do.

Run the whole thing. Exactly what you love.

Your vision, a huge operating budget, full support of the board.

We’re going all in with this and you’d have everything you need. ”

“What made you think of me for this?”

“You’ve heard of Dominion Communications, right?” Brian said.

Of course she had. Even those folks who weren’t regular readers of the Financial Times had heard of Dominion.

They were the fastest growing telecommunications company in the country.

They were boasting sports, original programming, and world news, all delivered with the fastest speed of any platform on the market, which included home and mobile.

“Uh-huh. They’re doing big things in the telecommunications space,” Jordan replied.

“Correct.” Brian flashed that smile and those deep dimples. “The tech they’re using is special, cutting edge, Jordan. All for the best customer experience.”

“And corporate profit,” Jordan added.

“There’s no doubt the company is doing well and snatching up consumers left and right.

They’re in a great position, but they are looking toward the future and want a leader to help them get there.

I told them about you—and you were already on their short list,” Brian informed her.

“The board asked me to come speak to you personally. There was a hope that with our…history, that you might be amenable to considering suiting up again. We know that you’ve opted for a different professional direction, so we’re prepared to incentivize you, generously.

” He leaned in as if people were listening.

“Between you and me, Jordan, you can almost name your package. We just want you in the role.”

At this, Jordan leaned forward. From anybody else, she might think this was all gassing up to go to her head.

But not coming from Brian. When it came to business he wasted no words and no time.

This opportunity was real, and she’d be a fool not to take it seriously.

Although this was not good news to her pussy or her plans.

Pussy would have to take a back seat tonight.

She shifted again in her chair, closed her legs, and leaned forward.

For this shit, I really should’ve worn panties, she thought.

“Okay, Brian. I’m listening….”