Clay also let go of her hand.
She smiled. “What more can you tell me about London and Chicago?”
Through the appetizers and main course, which was more delicious than usual, they discussed the discrepancies with her. Every question she brought up was insightful and inspiring. She was helping them to see other possibilities for why the numbers weren’t lining up.
Miguel and Roberto brought out the dessert together. They weren’t twins like him and Clay, but it was difficult for most to tell them apart.
“I’d like to introduce my brother to you, Isabella. This is Roberto. He prepared your meal.”
She smiled broadly. “It was absolutely scrumptious.”
Roberto kissed the back of her hand. “My pleasure. For dessert, I’ve made my version of the American molten lava cake. I hope you like chocolate, señorita.”
“Completely addicted to it, señor.”
“Excelente.”
Miguel poured each of them coffee and he and Roberto said their good-byes.
Izzy took a bite of her dessert. “Oh my God. This is pure sin.”
Pure sin? Now that’s something I would like Clay and I to explore with her. “Better than Burger King?”
She laughed. “They still make a good burger.”
“They sure do,” Clay said. “This is good cake.”
Izzy took another bite of her cake. “Mmm. So good.”
Hearing her sweet moan got his blood boiling. I would like to be the one to make her moan like that.
Chapter Four
The first thing Izzy did when she closed her front door was k
ick off her stilettos.
What an amazing day…and lunch.
She couldn’t stop thinking about Clay and Jay. She was thrilled they would be working with her on this project. That would give her a chance to learn more about them.
She sat down on her favorite chair and pulled her cell out of her purse to call her daughter.
“Hey, Mom. This is a little early, isn’t it? You normally don’t call me until after five. How did your meeting go?”
“It was better than I even expected. Honey, your mom is going to London in the morning.”
“That’s wonderful news.” The excitement in Gabby’s voice came through loud and clear. “I knew those two guys at your firm would finally come around.”
“But they didn’t. The client is the one who saw something in me that impressed him. I’m not just on the project, I’m the lead.”
“Oh, Mom. I’m so proud of you. Tell me everything that happened. Who did you meet? What you will be doing? How long will you be in London?”
“Hold on, Gabby. One thing at a time.” Izzy told her about the project and how Tom and Lyle had reacted to the change in responsibilities.
“I wish I could have seen their faces. I bet it was priceless. After this, you won’t have to put up with their bullshit anymore. I have no doubt that you will more than prove yourself with this project.”
“I intend to, sweetie.” Even though she still had a tiny buzz left from the wine she’d drank at lunch, she went to the kitchen to pour herself another glass. She just didn’t want to stop celebrating. One more glass won’t hurt me. It might actually help me to settle down enough to get some sleep. “Now what else did you want to know? I forgot all your questions.”