Only One Touch (Only One 4)

“Great,” Ralph says. “You walk in looking all GQ.” I look down at my outfit. After being in a suit last night and knowing that I have to wear one tomorrow, I opted to wear blue jeans with a white button-down shirt and a blue cashmere sweater over it.

“We’re dressed the same,” I say, looking at his outfit.

“Whatever,” he says and then points at the gift. “I already know you spent too much on this.” He shakes his head.

“To be honest,” I say, “Lizzie is the one who bought the gift, and she bought herself one also.”

“Ohh,” Candace says, “maybe it’s diamond earrings.” She tries to look in the bag. “Lizzie always has the best taste in everything.”

“If that contains diamond earrings, you are giving it back,” Ralph says, and I just laugh. “I’m not kidding.”

“Okay, I’m going to leave you two to handle whatever it is you are handling,” I tell them and walk away. The two of them are perfect for each other. When I found out they were together, I wasn’t at all shocked because they really are a perfect couple. Whenever I see them, it makes me wonder if I will ever find that person who completes me. Is true love really a thing? But I don’t really have time for love. I don’t have time to wine and dine someone. Do I date? I mean, generally, I slip my dates between my business meetings. But no woman wants to come second to my job. And my job is always going to be my priority.

I stop to talk to a couple of people before I make my way over to Becca. I can hear chatter all around me, but as I get closer to her table, I hear her voice now.

“So what you are saying,” Becca says, setting down her champagne glass, “is that my stocks in my company are going to go up if you take me as your agent?” I stop in my tracks and watch as the rookie smirks at her.

“Yes,” he says. “I’m up and coming, and if everything goes according to plan, I’ll be in demand.” I hold my breath.

“Let me just fill you in on something,” she says, turning so she can see him face-to-face. “My stock is already skyrocketing, and it has nothing to do with you or whatever you think you bring to the table. Which, as of right now, are only empty promises,” she tells him.

He opens his mouth to speak when she puts up her hand. “Furthermore, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Deflate that ego of yours just a bit more because, in one shift, you can be yesterday’s news. With that said, I think I’m going to pass on the offer to be your agent.” She turns around, leaving David with his mouth hanging open as she picks up her glass of champagne and drains it.

“Well, then,” he says, getting up, “good talking to you.”

She smiles at him, and I step up before she chews him up and spits him back out. “Hey,” I say, walking up. Becca looks up at me, and I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever noticed how beautiful she is. Her green eyes are almost the color of an emerald. “Becca,” I say, sitting in the chair in front of her. “David,” I say, and he nods at me before walking away. “That was …” I say, shaking my head. “I think he’s going to cry.”

She rolls her eyes. “You would not believe the shit he said,” she says and smiles at the waiter who replaces her empty glass with a full one. “Thank you.” I see that her eyes lighten up just a touch when she smiles. “You think I was too hard on him?”

I’ve known Becca ever since I became the owner and showed up at her first meeting with us. We’ve gone toe-to-toe before, and we can both be cutthroat for the people we believe in. Usually, we are on the same page, and even though we’ve disagreed, we’ve always stayed professional. “He needed that,” I say of David. “His numbers lead him to believe he’s invincible on the ice, and that can be dangerous.”

“Well, you know what they say. The higher up you are, the harder you fall,” she says. “Sorry.” Shaking her head, she leans forward, and I see lace under her jacket. And for the first time in I don’t know how long, I find I’m interested in seeing what else is under her jacket. “It’s been a day.”

“Don’t I know it,” I say and put my hand up for the waiter. When he comes over, I order a beer.

“Whoa,” she says, and I look at her.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink at an event,” she says, and I lean back in my chair. “Usually, it’s a bottle of water.”