Page 6 of Irresistible

“It was one comment. I promise I’ll be good from now on,” Scarlet whispered, crossing her fingers as she spoke.

“Right. Like I’d believe you even if you didn’t have your fingers crossed.”

Richard returned with a large platter containing everything from martini glasses to old-fashioned glasses. He worked his way around the table passing out drinks. It certainly wasn’t what one expected from the CEO of a major bank, but then again Richard was never what anyone expected him to be. He learned from a young age that you have to be different enough from everyone else to stand out while conforming enough to not be weird. Richard Grant was the definition of an interesting person. He was dependable yet full of surprises.

“And the martini for you, Scarlet?” he asked with a sly smirk.

“Yes, sir. It’s not every day that you get handed a drink by your boss, especially the boss of a business this size.”

“No need to call me ‘sir’. And yes, I like to do things a little differently every once in a while. Don’t tell the other branches. I didn’t do this for all of them,” he said, taking his seat with a full pint of the same amber stout.

Richard proceeded to talk to Jim for the next several minutes, leaving Scarlet to alternate between thinking quietly to herself and making idle small talk with another co-worker sitting near her. Jim was just as smitten with Richard as Scarlet was, but he was a little better at hiding it. Scarlet wished that she had Jim’s tact. But then again, she didn’t have quite the raucous nightlife experience that he did, so she supposed that everything was even.

Before too long, everyone had finished their meals and their second round of drinks. No one dared order a third. While Richard was being uncharacteristically social, everyone was a little skeptical of the CEO who was offering everyone drinks over lunch. The group wanted to be social enough to get along with him, but not drink enough to be perceived as a lush. It was a fine line to walk. Richard picked up the tab and everyone moved toward the door. It had been a good amount of time since everyone finished their last round, so the group felt safe to drive themselves back to the branch.

Richard made his way to the coatroom to retrieve his overcoat before exiting the restaurant. There he found Scarlet, who was the only other member of the group to hang her coat. All the others were content to sling theirs over the backs of their chairs.

“Well, that was certainly one of the most fun lunches I’ve ever had as a Local Citizens employee,” Scarlet said awkwardly as Richard entered the room.

“Good company always makes for a good meal, no matter what’s being served,” Richard replied. He always had a line for everything.

“The company sure was good. It’s really been a pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m still here for a few days. You still have plenty of time to get to know me,” Richard said with another classic smile.

“The one thing I’d love more than anything in the world is to get to know you better, Richard,” Scarlet said clumsily.

If she could have reached out and taken the words back, she would have. But they were already out there.

“The feeling is mutual, Scarlet,” Richard said elegantly.

He regretted his words as quickly as she had regretted hers. Richard knew he was supposed to be the consummate professional, but all he seemed to be able to do was make flirtatious remarks to Scarlet when no one else was around. Scarlet blushed and looked at the floor. She wanted to throw all her promises to Jim out the window. Viscerally, she wanted Richard. He was everything she had ever wanted in a man. At the same time, she had felt the exact same way about the last few men who had hurt her, so she felt she had reason to question her instincts.

“We should probably get out to our cars and head back to the bank. People might think we’re being naughty in here”

Again, Scarlet loathed her incredibly awkward choice of words. But, as last time, there was nothing she could do to take them back.

“We probably should,” Richard said as he held the coatroom door open for Scarlet.

The group left the restaurant, got in their cars, and headed back to the bank to resume their normal working hours. Only in Mainsport is the bank closed during lunch.