Page 118 of Van Cort

EVERETT

I’ve been standing here, outside her office, watching her work my financials for about five minutes. She hasn’t noticed me at all. She’s so busy needling all the information I’ve given her that she’s hardly looked up from the screen, other than to cross-reference that data with what’s in the folder. It’s impressive, and whilst that isn’t the main reason I want her, it adds to the enigma she’s become to me.

“Sir?” I look over my shoulder as Devon approaches. “Your five o’clock is ready. They’re in the boardroom.”

“Cancel it.” I’m too absorbed with the current situation I’m invested in.

“Sir? It’s the commerce committee for the state? They’ve all flown in and-”

I turn to look at her and glare. “I said cancel it.”

She lowers her confused stare and nods, striding away from me at pace.

Turning back to something far more stimulating than any commerce committee, my lips lift again. She’s still raking over figures and spreadsheets and is now seeming frustrated by something. My smile increases. I know frustration. And I know how infuriating that frustration can be. She needs a break.

Me too.

I open the door and walk in, which springs her out of her in-depth analysis of my figures.

“Oh, hi,” she says, leaning back in her chair. “Is everything okay? You’re interrupting me.”

“Dinner.”

“I have work to do.”

My hands find my pockets. “I’m fairly certain when your boss tells you it’s time to leave and eat, you should acknowledge the nicety and accept.”

She swings back to her screen rather than do either. “Where? Because, honestly, whilst the offer is noted, your figures are a mess, I don’t have much longer on this contract, and while the other night was fantastic, dinner at nice restaurants at the drop of a hat is becoming your only move.”My head rears back.

“Excuse me?”

She starts tapping again. “I’d like to think we’ve moved past the need to impress me with a fancy dinner that seems to be the signature Van Cort move.” She glances at the folder and back to the screen again. “I’ve been thinking, and, well, it’s all well and good Everett, but when do I get the full you? The balancedversion?” She hits enter on something and swings back to me. “You can be… a lot. And at this very moment, I can’t work out if you’re going to be hot or cold. And yes, the hot is very hot, and there have been moments when it’s even warm, and beautiful. But the cold is really quite chilly.”

“Chilly?”

“On occasion, yes.”

“Have I been chilly today?”

“I haven’t seen you until now. I’m not sure what the etiquette at work is.”

I tilt my head. “So, not chilly today?”

“That sort of depends on the rest of this conversation.”

“Okay then. Pack your shit up, I’m taking you to my place for dinner.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “Your place?”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t been to your place.”

“A correct statement. But there have been reasons for that, and since staying at yours is now normal, I thought you’d like to come to mine. You might find more of me there.” She arches a brow at me.

“You’ve stayed at mine once. It’s hardly normal.” She gets up and powers down, grabbing her bag. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Also,” she continues, as she walks to the door. “I hope you have staff because I’m not cooking again.”

I nod as she passes me.“I’ll order in.”