I stand up and button my jacket. “Well, it looks like I’ll see my new friend tomorrow night, when I get started on her bookcases.”
“Oh, you really don’t have to do that, Roman,” she says as we both walk towards the door.
“Of course I do. I need my designer to have the best workspace possible to get her creative juices flowing. And if you want to repay me, I like pizza and beer.”
She suppresses a small laugh as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. “Doesn’t seem like a fair exchange, but you’ve got a deal.”
As I walk back to my office, I feel lighter than I have since I hired her. This could work. Who knew a moment of pure honesty, and an agreement of friendship would solve everything?
I’m sure the more time we spend together, the more my attraction will fade. That’s how it always works. Why wouldn’t it be any different this time?
Chapter Eight
Eva
Icheck my watch to make sure I have the right time. It’s a quarter to four. I look back down at my laptop to confirm he was on the meeting invite and accepted.
“I’m sorry,” a deep voice breathes heavily behind me.
I turn around toward the door. A very attractive man walks in and grabs a seat at the head of the table, where Roman normally sits.
He has a casual sense about him. Not like he’s trying to assert his dominance to be looked at as powerful, but more like it never occurred to him, and the seat makes the most sense since it’s diagonal from me.
His hair is a lighter brown, mixed with natural blond pieces that have been kissed by the sun.
“Where are my manners?” He stands up and extends his hand. I do the same. “I’m Drew.”
“Hello, Drew. I’m Eva.” I smile.
We both take a seat.
“I apologize for my tardiness. I got caught up at another one of our hotels that had some water damage.”
“Oh, absolutely. I understand.”
I decide I like the guy’s energy. For being late and dealing with something so stressful, he still appears casual and in control, like he doesn’t sweat the small stuff.
“Well, I don’t want to take too much of your time,” I continue as I click on my computer to bring it to life. “I just want to give you an overview of where we stand on the lobby design.”
We spend the next hour going over the details of how we will split the first-floor renovation into phases to keep the hotel open and running during the upgrades.
He has done this before and has so many good ideas that I’m kind of in awe. The confidence he has when he explains what needs to happen to make sure it goes smoothly assures me that the project will be in good hands.
“Thank you so much for your time,” I tell him as we both stand up. “I have no doubt that this project will be a major success now that I’ve met you.”
We walk out of the conference room together as he tells me he is going to go say hi to Roman before he leaves.
Just as we get to Roman’s office before, I cut right to head to mine, we shake hands.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Eva. You are very talented. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
He winks just as our hands break apart. I swear I catch his eyes looking my body up and down with appreciation before he turns to walk into Roman’s office.
Roman’s door happens to be open, and he seems to have caught the entire exchange. I swear I detect a hint of anger that flashes across his face before it’s gone.
He stands and smiles at Drew as they exchange their own handshake. I take a moment to appreciate just how attractive these two men are, but how polar opposite they are. One is dressed in an expensive suit, probably worth more than my entire savings account, and the other is dressed in gray work pants with a black polo.
I shake my head and walk to my office, wondering if something is going on with my hormones these days. I’ve never been so affected by men before.