Page 7 of All That She Needs

Or I could go to the bar across the street. But there was a strong possibility I'd run into someone I knew, given how close it was to the office. I wasn't sure I had the energy for small talk with people. The idea was even less appealing than going home to an empty house. Sighing dejectedly, unable to make up my mind, I decided I would figure it out once I was out of the building. As I stepped out of my office, I saw Liam emerging from his just across the hallway. Our eyes met, and his entire face lit up at the sight of me.

"Heading out?" he asked as he walked over to me. I didn't know how he did it, how he made his tone light when he spoke,but his stare was heady, and I found my cheeks a little warmed by the intensity.

I nodded, feeling self-conscious. "Yes."

He glanced at his watch and then back at me. "I was thinking of grabbing a bite nearby. Would you like to join me?"

That was the literal last thing I expected him to say, and all I could do was stare at him with my mouth slightly open, trying to process what I was hearing. The offer seemed so out of the blue that it took a moment for my brain to catch up.

Liam chuckled softly at my reaction, clearly amused. "What?" he said. "Kids don't do that these days? Too soon?"

"No," I said, as I was shaking my head. "I mean, how should I know?" He laughed, a genuine, easy sound, and I noticed his eyes disappear when he laughed, and an adorable dimple appeared on his left cheek.

"So, what do you say, Asha?" The way he said my name... I found that I kind of liked it. "There's a burger joint just behind this building—I'm sure you've heard of it. They have the best burger I've ever tasted." He walked over to the elevator and pressed the down button. I trailed behind him, still unsure of what was happening. "I'm really craving it right now."

"I know the place." I told him, even though I had only been there one time in the entire eight years since my office moved to this building. My lunch has always been bought by my assistant, and I always ate alone in my office, except for the lunch meetings that I had to attend.

"So, you're coming?" he asked again.

I thought about Aiden at that moment and what he would think if he knew I was going to dinner with another man. Even if it was just a burger joint, it was still dinner—and withsomeone else. Liam was an attractive man; any husband would feel a twinge of jealousy seeing his wife out with him.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced at the screen and saw Aiden's text: "I'm going to be late, baby, I'm sorry. Don't wait for me."

I looked up at the expectant, very handsome, and very successful man in front of me. I suspected he might have glimpsed the text, seeing that he was much taller than me, but his smile remained charming and patient. "I'd love to."

Part 4: Asha

Liam watched me as I devoured the burger with enthusiasm, holding the extra-large buns with both hands and opening my mouth wide. It had been so long since I'd been here, and I'd forgotten just how incredible it tasted. He chuckled softly. I glanced up at him, narrowing my eyes. Swallowing, I asked, "What?"

"First, that burger is half the size of your head. At first, I didn't think you'd finish it, but now I'm convinced you will. Second, you look so out of place in a place like this, Asha."

I took another bite and spoke with my mouth full. "Why?"

"You look so... polished. You're too refined in a joint like this."

I flushed, and I couldn't understand why he made me flush all the time. "I'm not as refined as you think," I said after swallowing, eyeing the burger and considering which juicy part to bite into next. "I'm in the steel business, after all."

"Yeah," he nodded, "I just found out you're the CEO. How did you end up in a field like that?"

I took another bite and savored the flavor before responding. "It wasn't exactly a planned path. I started out in a bottom role and just gradually moved up through the ranks."

"It's a male-dominated field, I presume. So, how does a woman like you become the leader of them all?"

"Determination," I said, not caring that bits of my burger sprayed from my mouth as I spoke and chewed. Somehow, I was certain Liam wasn't the type to care about pretentious manners, and I had to admit, it was refreshing. "Resilience. Stubbornness," I added with a grin. "And pride."

"Brain," he added with a smirk. "And beauty."

I shook my head, chuckling. "I'm not so sure about the latter part," I said. "But I know I'm smarter than all of them."

"Arrogant," he teased, flashing a boyish grin that deepened the dimples in his cheeks.

I glared up at him, which only made his grin stretch wider. "Not if it's a fact."

"Tell me about yourself." He demanded.

"Tell me about yours first." I countered.

"Okay. First name: Liam. Middle name Christopher. Last name: Banks. Thirty-two years old. Six foot four, two hundred and thirty pounds. Never married. Youngest of four siblings, all boys. Self-proclaimed book nerd. Fortnite World Cup Solo Champion, and this is by far my proudest achievement in my life. Firm believer that Chicken Kung Pao is the best food in the world, second only to this burger. Secretly watchDownton Abbeywhen I'm alone, and if you ever mention that to anyone, I'll deny it until the day I die."

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