Page 4 of Finding Jacob
“I’m coming,” she said.
“No, you’re not.”
“No, I mean, I’mcoming.” She laughed and fanned her face.
“You’re gay!” I laughed with her.
“Don’t mean a man’s voice can’t turn me on.”
Before I could reply, his text message came through. It detailed a restaurant I knew and had eaten at before and a time of 9:00 p.m. When I’d said a late dinner, I hadn’t expected that late, but it was perfect. It allowed me time to get the fittings out of the way, have a couple of meetings, and then chill for an hour or so.
The day was a blur, I fought off jet lag with copious amounts of caffeine and we got everything done we set out to do. Dory and I headed back to the hotel and to the suite we shared. I was surprised to feel nervous. I’d met manystrangersfor meetings, but this felt different. This wasn’t personal and I needed to switch that in my mind. HiringJacobwas a business deal and nothing more.
Once back at the hotel, I met with my assistant, and she showed me some portfolios. We discussed each individual and I agreed with her choice of who to sign up. She really should head my scouting team, but she was my right arm, and I couldn’t bear to let her go. It was selfish of me, but she was happy where she was, she often told me.
After that I decided to shower and relax on the bed for an hour. Or relax as much as I could with Dory still nattering aboutJacob’svoice. I wished I’d brought my earphones and eye mask to drown her out.
“Dory, could you fuck off for a half an hour so I can get some peace,andget my nerves under control?”
“You’re nervous?” she asked.
“Yes. So please, give it a rest.”
“Oh, sweetie, you’ll have such a laugh, and we have a code so if he’s no good, text me!”
My girlfriends and I had a code for sticky situations we needed help to get out of. We’d send a text with just MUM on it. We’d then get a phone call to say we were needed home urgently. It never failed. Sending a short, three letter text wasn’t often seen and easy to do under the table if necessary.
She left me alone then.
I must have dozed off because I was woken by Dory shaking my arm. “You need to get up, princess, and slap some shit on your face.”
I groan and looked at my watch. “Shit, I only have a half an hour to get ready.” I leapt from the bed and grabbed my holdall. It contained my makeup and hair products and I sat at the dressing tableslapping some shit on my facewhile Dory did my hair.
I wasn’t going for a full-on face; it wasn’t a date, but I never left my house without at least mascara and lipstick. Thankfully, I was blessed with good genes and a dislike for sitting in the sun and had good skin.
I was ready with ten minutes to go and a taxi waiting for me.
Dory gave me a kiss to my cheek. “Have fun and remember MUM,” she said as she walked me to the taxi.
I was at the restaurant bang on time, and it was only then I realised I had no idea whatJacoblooked like or even his real name. Panic caused my heart to quicken.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I whispered as I stood at the front desk.
“Miss Roberts?”
A waiter walked towards me, and I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Yes,” I replied. I was invited to follow him.
As we approached a table, a gentleman stood. He wore a dark grey suit with a red tie and a crisp white shirt. He was taller than me, even in my heels, and he needed to be on my books! He was the perfect looking, slightly older gentleman. He held out his hand and I took it. His grip held just the right amount of pressure to suggest he knew the difference in signallingalpha testosterone crapand hisrespectful dominance.
“Miss Roberts. May I call you Anna?” he asked.
Since we were going to discuss a fake date, I nodded and laughed.
“Yes, please do.”
He allowed the waiter to pull out my chair and indicated I should sit. “I have to say I was a little surprised to take a call from Nathan about meeting you. It was a pleasant surprise, however.”
I wasn’t sure on his accent. He wasn’t American, for sure. He had a commanding tone of voice, but gentle at the same time. Immediately, he came across as someone who had no need to shout for attention, it came naturally. My interest in him was piqued.
