Page 56 of Serving the Maestro

“Jazz.” His voice was warm as if we’d stayed in contact all this time. “I’m so glad to hear from you.”

“Hi.” I eyed the time on my computer, already wanting to end the call. “Sorry I didn’t answer when you called earlier. I was in the middle of a project. I tend to get tunnel vision when I’m working.”

“I understand. I get that way when I’m putting together a presentation.” He paused.

I had the feeling I was supposed to ask something, but I didn’t know what. “Did you need something earlier?” I asked when the silence continued. “When you called, I mean?”

A few more seconds of silence passed, and he cleared his throat. “I was mostly calling just to talk. I was on my lunch break, but I figured it wouldn’t be a problem for you when I called since you own the company.”

Scowling, I lowered the phone to glare at it. Was that a dig? It sounded like one, even if his voice was still all warm and friendly like.

“I’m not the sole owner. I’ve got a partner. And several employees who’ve been with us since our first year have small shares,” I told him, keeping my voice neutral.

“Of course, of course. I mostly called to see if you wanted to join me for lunch again this week—since you’ve got an agreeable boss.” He chuckled as he added the last bit.

The chuckle rubbed me wrong, like that reference to me owning the company. I started to decline the invitation, but movement outside my open office door caught my attention.

It was Danny, bent over Cam where she leaned against a desk, his head lowered so she could talk to him quietly. He had a hand on her belly, stroking lightly.

They painted a beautiful picture, one filled with love and connection. My throat tightened.

I wouldn’t be able to have that with Trent, no matter what. He’d made it clear from the beginning that whatever happened between us would end because his life was in California.

That didn’t mean I couldn’t find something real with another man.

Maybe even Roger.

“Sure,” I said. “What day were you thinking?”

* * *

“You look stunning.”

“Thanks.” I felt out of place in the narrow black skirt with its attached suspenders and a colorful top that bared an inch or two of my midriff. I’d had a podcast interview and a photo shoot with a couple of popular gamers in the area and Cam, as always, had helped with my wardrobe pics. The fun, sexy outfit had been great for the interview and photo op, but I felt out of place in this five-star restaurant. I decided to take a page from Cam’s book and brazen my way through, returning Roger’s smile with a confident one I’d cultivated after years of working in a primarily male-dominated field.

“You mentioned you had an interview and photo deal earlier,” Roger said, his eyes darting briefly to my abdomen before quickly moving back up.

“Yes.” I didn’t expand on that as the server approached, smiling at both of us as she put water down and asked about drinks. Roger requested a Tom Collins. I declined and waited until the server was out of earshot before addressing his comment. “The majority of our interviews are with podcasters or people with large followings on either Facebook or TikTok. That’s why I mentioned I’d be good with almost anything that had a business casual vibe.”

I let it go at that and reached for the menu, not bothering to see his expression at my not-too-subtle jab.

“Did I upset you?” he asked quietly.

Glancing at him after I’d carefully blanked my expression, I said, honestly, “No.”

He hadn’t. He’d irritated me, but that wasn’t upsetting.

Cam and I had been in our line of work too long to be easily upset.

But I didn’t feel like sharing that with him, and he didn’t know me well enough to see the truth I didn’t expand on.

“Oh, good.” He relaxed, taking my words at face value and picking up his menu. “Have you been here before? I can offer some suggestions if you haven’t.”

“No. I’m fine.” Skimming the offerings, I debated what would be quick and easy to eat and what wouldn’t sit like a lead weight in my stomach if I decided to end this early.

“Are you sure? I bring clients here all the time, so I’m pretty familiar with almost everything here.”

“I’m good, Roger.” Hearing the edge creep into my voice, I shut up before I could let more of my temper show. “I already know what I want, but thanks.”

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