Chapter 15
“By next week, we should be proceeding to the next phase since the beta version of the product was well received,” Mathew says as she clicks the next PowerPoint slide.
Adrian has been in this meeting for almost two hours, and he’s seconds away from losing his cool. He’s gotten the message; they are right on track for the upcoming launch. He doesn’t need all the unnecessary details he keeps restating in his presentation.
Mathew’s words fade into the background as Adrian’s concentration travels to his thoughts. Particularly his thoughts about last week’s event. It’s been a long time since he’s enjoyed himself at a business dinner…or any dinner, for that matter. He finds his work enjoyable, but those fundraisers are just an excuse for schmaltzy entertainment, expensive food, and an evening out for wealthy people. He wishes they’d spend less money on the event and just donate it all, but the truth of it is that’s what it takes to entice people into donations and make it feel worthy of their money.
He’s pretty sure that his feelings toward that particular evening have more to do with the brunette who’d looked so gorgeous dancing in his arms.
It’s been a whole week since he’s had any private interaction with Beth. They’d said hello here and there whenever they happened to cross paths around the office. He’s been unbelievably swamped with work and he’s still determined to keep a professional relationship in the office.
The combination of all that had put a block on substantial alone time.
The memory of last weekend has his anticipation riding at an all-time high. He’s been itching to ask her out on an actual date and spend time with her outside of the office—as Adrian and not her boss. He’s trying to give her space and let things happen naturally and over time, but trying not to notice her only makes him notice her more.
He has debated sending her a text or calling her. Or maybe he should stop overthinking it and just go see her in her office. He’s overthought enough for one day. But first, he needs to put an end to this meeting, it’s gone on for longer than necessary.
“Great work, Mathew,” Adrian interrupts.
He stops mid-sentence and stares at Adrian.
“I think we can all agree we’ve received a thorough update on where we stand with the product launch.”
Everyone in the room nods, agreeing far too enthusiastically. Mathew starts to respond, but Adrian stands abruptly. “Go ahead and send the necessary materials out to the rest of the team.”
“Oh, okay, but—”
“Thank you, Mathew.” Adrian gives him a nod, not allowing him to finish his sentence. “I think we can officially say the meeting is adjourned.”
Everyone scatters out of the room once the light comes on. It’s still a few minutes to noon. And if he knows anything about Beth, she won’t leave the office a second before the designated hour. So he heads back to his office.
When he’s behind his office desk, his phone rings. It’s his mom. He frowns. She never calls him during work hours.
“I found the perfect date for you Friday night,” his mom says, forgoing pleasantries.
He doesn’t even have to think about it. “No.”
“Celia. Remember her? I don’t know if you’ve been at any social engagements that she’s attended in the past. She’s twenty-seven, long dark hair, well kept and attractive—”
Celia Henderson? Oh, hell no. She is well kept and extremely attractive but she’s an eleven in vapidity on a scale from one to ten.
“Mom. No.”
“She’ll be in town a couple of weeks before the wedding. Maybe you can show her around.”
“Mom—”
“Then you can come together—”
“Mom,” he snaps, finally speaking firmly enough to earn her attention.
“What?”
“I can’t believe you called me during work hours for this. The wedding’s not for another two months.”
“And?”
He sighs.
“I’ll forward Celia’s contact details to you.”
He needs an excuse. That’s the only way to get out of this. Beth’s big brown eyes flash in his mind and the words leave his lips before he can think of anything else. “I already have a date.”
“Oh,” his mom says, clearly shocked.
“I have to go, Mom. I’m busy.”
“Adrian—”
“Loveyoubye.” He hangs up fast, hoping he won’t find himself in too much hot water for ending the call so quickly but desperate enough to end the conversation that he doesn’t care.
Thirty years old and his mother is “mothering” him the most she has in his entire life. Forcing women on him in the hopes that one of them will stick long enough to give her a daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Most of the time he gives in, it’s just a couple of hours forcing conversation with someone he couldn’t care less about. He’s had years of practice at this. He’s amassed much of his fortune by maintaining relationships with people he despises.
But this time around, things are different.