The Love Game

Careful, Iris, he’s not playing fair. Remember Cathy’s words of caution. But another voice whispered, You started your own firm during an economic recession. When have you ever allowed caution to be your guide?

“All right.” Iris drew a deep breath, then collected her jacket from a nearby chair. “Let’s do lunch.”

The approval in his gaze made her question her sanity. Less than twenty minutes later, they were shown to a booth at a neighborhood restaurant. The young hostess gave them each a menu. Then Jan, their server, arrived to take their drink orders, two ice waters with lemon.

Iris lifted her gaze from her menu. “Why did you invite me to lunch?” A better question was why had she accepted? She wasn’t ready to answer that question, though.

“We eat at our desks too often. I thought we could both use a change.” His shrug was a small movement of broad muscles under his beige jersey.

“If I’d invited you to lunch, would you have accused me of flirting with you?”

“You’re still upset over my comment about your smiling at Van.”

He was intuitive for a computer geek. “It was offensive.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I was wrong.” He sounded as if he really meant it.

“All right.” She’d never expected him to apologize, especially not so easily. Now that he’d removed her resentment, she felt naked in front of him.

Moments later, Jan returned with their drinks and took their meal orders. Iris requested the salmon salad. Tyler asked for a Caesar salad and a burger.

Iris gazed around the restaurant. She’d never been here before. Their surroundings looked expensive, dark wood and black leather. Comfortable booths circled the room. Tables were arranged in the center with plenty of space for the waitstaff to wind their way across the floor. The wood-paneled walls were decorated with black-and-white photos of Columbus. The effect was a warm neighborhood ambience.

“What do you have so far for the internal launch budget?” Tyler asked.

“I haven’t finished compiling the vendor estimates yet. We’re supposed to meet this afternoon.”

“Then what would you like to talk about?” Tyler leaned into the table.

Is he flirting with me?

Iris’s protective instincts kicked in. “You have a point.” She drank her water as she collected her thoughts. “I was able to negotiate with the vendors to get all of your employees’ requests for the event.”

Tyler’s eyebrows rose. “Even Ted’s live band?”

“He agreed to a disc jockey, remember?”

“That’s right. Good work.” The approval in Tyler’s dark eyes caused the pulse at the base of Iris’s throat to beat wildly.

“Thank you.” She sipped her water.

“Today’s April ninth.” Tyler sat back on his chair. “The event’s only a month away. Will that be enough time?”

You still don’t trust me to deliver. “It’s three weeks and one day away. I’ve put a hold on the car service and convention center ballroom. All you need to do is sign the contracts, if you agree with them.”

“I’ll look at them when we meet later. Have you worked with these companies before?”

She had. Iris told Tyler about her past projects with the car-service company and her contact at the city’s convention center. His questions kept Iris on her toes. At the same time, the attention he focused on her was almost seductive. She struggled to concentrate.

Their conversation was interrupted when Jan brought their lunches and again when she refilled their water glasses.

“Take me through the schedule.” Tyler started with his salad. “What time will the event start?”

Without her project folder, Iris worked from memory. Not a problem. She’d been reviewing the information all morning. “The car service will send drivers to Anderson Adventures at 10:00 a.m. Your employees will settle into the ballroom. Your father will greet them and start the event with a brief speech. Then the convention center’s waitstaff will serve lunch.”

“Why would we feed them before the presentations?” Tyler ate more of his salad.

Iris watched Tyler carry a forkful of lettuce to his mouth and slip it between his lips. She swallowed. Hard. “Your associates will be more attentive on a full stomach. Trust me.”