Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Mandy laughed with him. It was nice enjoying attention from a man who wasn’t complicated, or her boss, for once. “Don’t hold your breath. I’ve got a great set up with Mr. Salvo.” She watched Carl order another drink from the bar. “I’ll find you again shortly, I’d like to hear the rest of your story.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Nicholas smiled warmly and raised his glass as he walked off to join another group of men chatting.

Mandy moved to the buffet and put a few small things on her plate. She wasn’t hungry after the omelet a few hours ago but it was the easiest way to make conversation with the gentleman from the meeting on Friday. Carl was standing awkwardly close to the man’s wife and she didn’t want the investor to get the wrong idea with Carl. Not that she knew it herself, she just assumed he wasn’t the kind of businessman that dabbled in that part of the business. However, did she really know? “Hello, Mr. Watkins?” She hated that she made his name sound like a question. She just wasn’t a hundred percent sure she had the man’s correct last name.

“Hello, Miss Connors!” He slipped his plate into his left hand and held out his right.

Mandy shook it and smiled. “It’s good to see you here.”

“It’s lovely to see you as well. Great job on Friday, by the way. I think you could sell a submarine to a camel herder.”

She laughed politely. “Thanks. I was a little frazzled at the meeting, but I’m glad it went smoothly.”

He filled his plate some more. “You did a great job. Mr. Salvo is a smart man to have hired you.” He looked up and frowned when he noticed Carl’s hand resting above his wife’s elbow as he leaned in close to whisper into her ear.

“Is that your wife? I’d love to meet her.” Mandy set her plate down and linked her arm through Mr. Watkins’. She carried her mimosa in the other hand and cleared her throat as she approached Carl. “Mr. Salvo! Mr. Watkins was just talking about the meeting the other day.” She watched Carl move abruptly back and glance at her, and then the man on her arm. “Did you have any questions, Mr. Watkins?” Not one that has to do with Carl apparently hitting on your wife, and your wife enjoying the attention.

“Nope. You did a great job, Miss Connors. I’m still not a hundred percent sure on investing.” Mr. Watkins stared at Carl and then darted his eyes to his wife.

“You must be Mrs. Watkins!” Mandy held out her hand and smiled at the dark-haired, petite and yet well-busted woman beside her boss. “I’m Mandy, Mr. Salvo’s assistant.”

“Hello.” The woman’s eyes ran down Mandy’s figure and then back up. She smiled smugly, obviously assured Mandy wasn’t Carl’s type. “I’m Tara Watkins.”

It annoyed Mandy, but she kept her mouth shut. She was here to do a job. That was it.

Carl stepped around her and put his arm on Mr. Watkins’ shoulder. “Let’s go grab the ladies a drink and let me see if I can answer any concerns you might have about the venture.” He didn’t say a word to Mandy as he walked away.

Mandy chatted politely with Tara before excusing herself to talk to Nicholas, who was standing on his own staring out the large cathedral windows that overlooked the pool and forest in the back.

“Miss Connors! Nice of you to join me again.” He smiled at her. “It’s quite the view, eh?”

She smiled. “It is.”

“How was Mrs. Watkins?”

Mandy continued to look out the window and admire the scenery. “She’s well.”

“I believe she still has her claws out.”

“Pardon?” Mandy turned her head and then smiled. “Oh, yes. She seems nice.”

Nicholas chuckled. “She’s been after your boss for several years now. Doesn’t seem to know quite how to catch the mouse, if you know what I mean.” He waved his hand. “No matter. Carl has always been polite around, and manages to hold off, her advances. Mr. Watkins, on the other hand, hasn’t been as lucky in keeping his pet off other people’s property.”

Mandy pressed her lips together, not quite sure on how to respond to his comments. She had assumed it was Carl hitting on Tara, but it seemed apparent now that it was Tara who was the trouble starter. It kind of made sense. However, it wasn’t her job to gossip with the investors.

“I apologize,” Nicholas said. “I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s a common joke about Tara. I assumed you knew, or had been warned.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not the gossip or talking type. I can assure you on that. I had thought you knew because you handled Mr. Watkins perfectly.”

“You were watching me?”

Nicholas smiled again. “I believe nearly every man in this room is. You’re hard not to notice.”

She blushed, completely blown away by the compliment. “Th-Thank you.” She stared down at her hands, embarrassed, and not believing that others were watching her. She slowly raised her eyes and glanced around the room. She noticed Carl at the bar again.

“Give me another,” Carl growled in a low voice to the bartender.

Mandy stiffened when she heard his voice, but she tried to ignore it. “Sorry, what did you say?” She turned back to Nicholas and moved a little closer.

“I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner sometime.” Nicholas watched her, bemused. “I understand if you don’t. You must be incredibly busy with work.”

“Busy, but not that busy,” Mandy said. “I’d be happy to.”

Nicholas’ face lit up. “Excellent! I can finish my rags to riches story, and you can tell me yours. I’d love to hear it.” He dug into the pocket on his shirt, right over his taut chest. Mandy watched, enjoying the pull of the shirt across his upper body. “Here’s my card. My personal number’s on the back. Why don’t you text me when you’re available and I’ll make the arrangements?”

Mandy took the card and enjoyed the warmth of their fingers touching, but was disappointed to not feel the tremor she felt when Carl and she touched. She forced the comparison out of her mind. Not professional, Mandy.

There was a muffled crash near the bar and Mandy winced at the sound. Mandy looked around to find Carl trying to laugh off a tray of drinks spilling all over the floor. “I’m sorry, Nicholas, would you excuse me, again?”

“Of course.” Nicholas grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Make sure you let me know about that dinner. I’ll be waiting.”

“I will.” She returned the gentle squeeze briefly and then let go. “I’m afraid work calls at the moment, though.”

“Good luck,” said Nicholas.

I’ll need it. Mandy slipped past the others to help Carl. Most hadn’t noticed the crash or had gone back to chatting, already bored. “Everything all right?”

Carl looked at her with bloodshot eyes and a grin a little too wide. “Just a crap tray table that knocked champagne over. I’ve got the caterers coming to clean it up.” He shrugged. “Shit happens.” He glanced over to Nicholas, who appeared to be leaving. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

He was drunk, but it could be a lot worse. It wasn’t that bad. He was coherent enough to get out of there with his dignity intact and no one noticing. “Mr. Salvo, Murray asked me to find you,” Mandy said. “Something about in the kitchen.” Mandy swallowed. “Please,” she said, trying to keep her voice cordial. “It seemed important.” She raised her eyebrows at him and somehow the situation processed in Carl’s slightly intoxicated head.

He nodded and followed Mandy into the kitchen. Murray was wiping the sideboards. “He needs water.” Mandy made Carl sit down in the nearest chair.

“Wuss wrong, Murray?” Carl’s words slurred slightly.

Murray handed him a bottle of water and eyed him suspiciously. “Nothing, sir.”

“Nope,” Mandy said, stepping in front of Carl. “You need to sober up and stop drinking alcohol before you do something stupid. It’s only two in the afternoon for Pete’s sake.”

Carl waved her off. “I’m fine,” he growled. “I don’t need your help.”

“I suggest you listen to her,” Murray said. “I can smell it on you. If your personal assistant suggests you slow down. Then I suggest you listen to her.”

“Seriously?” Carl looked at both of them with raised eyebrows.

“Isn’t that why you hired her?”

“Not to gauge my alcohol and school me like she’s my mother.”

Mandy thrust the bottle of water into Carl’s hands. “I’m not your mother. But I like my job and if you make a scene, in your own home, it’s going to look bad on me.”

Carl stared at her. “It’s all about you, isn’t it?”

She’d just used the line as an excuse. “No, it’s my job to make sure Billionaire Carl Salvo keeps the investors believing he is solid like a rock. He doesn’t mess up on anything.”

Carl sighed. “Fine. I won’t drink anymore.” He stood and chugged the bottle of water. “There. Happy?”

“For now.”

“If you don’t mind, I have guests waiting to talk to me.” Carl stomped out of the room and back to the party.