“Let me check with him.”
I expected a man like Stark to respond with something like, “You do that,” in a condescending tone. However, he simply nodded and said, “Thank you.”
I picked up my phone and called the mayor’s office. “Mr. Stark is here. He says he has an appointment with you.”
“Ah yes. I forgot to mention that to you. Send him in.”
Jerk, I thought. He’d made me look like an idiot to Stark. And I couldn’t help but feel disrespected by the mayor. This was something I should have known and yet he didn’t bother to tell me.
Making sure to smile again, I looked up at Mr. Stark. “The mayor says you can go in.”
He nodded and thanked me again. At least he had manners, I thought until I remembered he crashed Sinclair and Wyatt’s wedding to try and discredit her. Asshole, I said under my breath.
I worked a little bit longer, but then decided it was time for a break. It was petty and unprofessional, but I didn’t bother to let the mayor or Sinclair now. I went to the breakroom for the entire city hall building and made coffee. The break room was empty and I enjoyed the quiet.
“Ms. Lados? Right?”
I looked up and saw Mr. Stark in the breakroom doorway.
I frowned, wondering why he was there and why he cared about who I was. “Mr. Stark.”
“I’m sorry to bother you on your break. The mayor said you’d help me with a permit I want for a public gathering.”
It was harder to smile now, but I mustered one. “Yes, of course.”
I started to stand, but he said, “No please sit. I’m interrupting your break.” He walked into the room. “Mind if I join you?”
Yes. “Go ahead.” I nodded to the chair across from me.
“I take it the mayor didn’t let you know I was coming today.”
“He gets busy,” I said, wondering why I felt the need to defend him.
“Still. It’s your job to keep him organized. It makes it hard for you to do that if he doesn’t keep you informed. It’s disrespectful of you.” He shrugged. “At least, that’s how I see it.”
How was it possible he understood that? I thought he was one of those men who didn’t pay much attention to the peons of the world. Then I thought maybe it was a test. Was he trying to get me to bad mouth the mayor?
I decided not to say anything.
“I understand that you have a reputation for the epitome of organization.”
I nodded. “I’m good at my job, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He laughed and it made him look like a Hollywood star. There was no doubt that Stark was handsome, in a polished sort of way. “I like a woman who knows herself.”
I arched a brow.
He waved a hand. “I’m not being misogynistic. Today, men can’t be too careful about how they talk to women. I find it a difficult road to travel.”
I rolled my eyes.
He leaned forward. “You don’t agree. But let me point out that women don’t have this problem. And you can’t tell me that women don’t notice men the same way men notice women. I mean, attraction is the start of any relationship, don’t you think?”
“Sure, but women are smart enough not to speak out loud comments about men that demean or dismiss them as nothing more than sex objects. A woman isn’t going to come up to you and tell you you’re handsome or have nice legs right out of the gate. Men, on the other hand, think telling a woman they just met that they want to fu…sleep with that they’re beautiful or how great their dress is, probably because it shows off her assets, is a compliment. A woman might like how a man looks, but she’s also interested in him as a person. Usually.”
He laughed again and sat back. “You’re right. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a woman who told me they like the cut of my suit.”
“They’re eyes don’t go to your chest or groin either unless maybe you’re shirtless.”