Page 103 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“Deal. I’ll meet you out front. I have to make a quick call,” I tell her, a small grin tugging at my lips.

As she walks off to her office, I book a reservation for us at a unique spot called Spin.

Chapter 27

Jemima

When he offered lunch,I couldn’t say no. Firstly, I want to spend more time alone with him, but secondly, my brain is fried from all the interviews. Luckily, my afternoon work is now clear that the main task is done. I will call everyone for trial periods over the next couple of weeks. Then decide which members I’ll keep. I’m hopeful I’ll find two good employees.

We head downstairs, and I raise an eyebrow when I spot his car. “I thought we’d just go somewhere nearby.”

His smile is mischievous. “I have a better idea.”

“Of course you do.” I sigh, but a smile tugs at my lips.

He opens the car door, and I slip in. We don’t drive far, and when we pull up to a bar, I can’t deny my bubbling excitement.

As we enter, the staff greets him by name straight away.

“Do you bring all your dates here?” I joke, ignoring the hardness in my stomach.

“Sure do,” he replies nonchalantly, which makes my jaw drop.

He quickly chuckles. “Kidding. I come with my friends and brothers sometimes.”

My shoulders drop away from my ears, and we’re led to a private table in the corner. There’s a big, dark wooden bar along the back, and it’s filled with people. It seems like a popular hangout spot. The warm lighting in here makes it difficult to see any familiar faces. Walking past the ping-pong tables brings a smile to my face. I snap a quick picture and send it to Mom with a message:Look what I found in Manhattan.I know she’ll appreciate the character and charm of this place; it’s the kind of spot she’d love to visit. We used to play when I was a kid.

I put the phone away when the server approaches and takes our drink orders. Harvey opts for a beer, and I get a Coke. The way we’re seated, our thighs brush, and I can feel the heat radiating from his body. The urge to reach out and hold his hand is strong, but something is bugging me.

“I had a big delivery of clothes last night,” I start as the server returns to deliver our drinks.

“Mmm,” he mumbles, before signaling the server that we’re ready to order and asking for it to be delivered to our ping-pong table.

“I haven’t even looked at the menu,” I whisper, a bit flustered.

“Look, then yell at me,” he teases with a wolfish grin. He’s clearly enjoying my discomfort.

Pinching my lips together, I glance down at the menu, quickly deciding on a four-cheese pizza. Since Harvey’s been around and the business has started picking up, I’ve been able to buy more food for myself, which has been helping with my sleep and the dizzy spells I’d been struggling with.

Once we place our orders, we carry our drinks to our table, the soft music playing around us.

I ignore the buzzes through me, knowing I’m playing a game I haven’t played in years. Deciding it’s time to address the elephant in the room, I take a deep breath.

“I don’t like you buying me a whole new wardrobe.”

He grabs a ball and hits it to me. “But you didn’t spend enough the other day.”

I hit it back. “I did… on Chad.”

“Not on yourself, Jem.”

I miss the ball, and it drops on the ground. “Don’t call me Jem,” I blurt out, sharper than I intended.

His eyebrows knit together.

I pick it up and hit the ball again. “My ex-husband called me that.”

He stiffens and misses the ball, caught off guard. But he’s never called me that until now.

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