Page 13 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“Braydon, fancy seeing you here,” said Jonas, somewhat sarcastically. This was Braydon’s favorite restaurant.

“You have Delaney’s. I have Ivy,” said Braydon with a chuckle as he stood to shake hands. Mae reluctantly stood as well to greet them. Jonas held her hand a beat too long and looked at her more intensely than he had years. She squirmed in her cream dress and cleared her throat. Why was he looking at her like that? Had Braydon noticed? She quickly sat back in her seat and took a sip of water. She couldn’t even pay attention to what the three men were talking about because she was drowning in the look Jonas had just given her.

After a minute, she heard her name being spoken.

“Mae?”

“Hmm?” She looked from Braydon to Jonas.

“Can you?” asked Jonas, raising an eyebrow.

“Can I what?” She had clearly missed part of the conversation.

“Can you stay and have a quick meeting with me? It won’t take long.”

“Uh, sure. Is that okay with you, Braydon?” she asked hesitantly, before turning to her boss. She was hoping he would say they had too much work to do at the office.

Instead, to her dismay, he said, “Sure, take all the time you need.”

“Thank you, Braydon.”

“We’re actually all wrapped up here. I’m going to head back to the office,” said Braydon, signaling for the check.

“I’ll meet you at the bar,” Jonas said to Mae before walking away with the man he came with. She watched them shake hands at the door. It bothered Mae that she couldn’t figure out where she knew the man from. Maybe if she had been listening, and not lost in her own thoughts, she would have caught his name.

Braydon signed the check and stood, collecting his phone and briefcase. “Well, you better head over there. Don’t want to keep our boss waiting,” he said, nodding toward the bar.

Mae nodded. “Thank you for lunch. I’ll see you back at the office.”

Braydon gave a little wave and headed toward the door. Mae sat for a moment longer, collecting herself. What could Jonas possibly need to meet with her for? They worked adjacent to each other, but never actually together. Whatever he needed was communicated through Braydon. The distance was better that way and they both knew it. She took another sip of water and glanced over at Jonas. His back was to her.

Opening her purse, she found her compact and took a quick glance at her appearance. She checked her teeth and put on a light coat of lipstick, then felt someone watching her. Mae looked up and saw Jonas smirking. Had he been watching her? Her cheeks burned. She tried to brush aside her embarrassment and stood casually. She smoothed her dress and grabbed her purse before making her way over to the bar.

“All right, Jonas. What do you need?” she asked with a sigh, taking a seat beside him.

“Whoa, whoa. Slow down. Let’s have a drink first,” said Braydon, holding his hands up.

“It’s still a workday, you know.”

“And I’m your boss.”

Mae rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say,boss.”

Jonas signaled the bartender.

“What can I get you, Mr. Matthews?” he asked.

Does everyone in this city know who he is?Mae thought to herself. It was irritating and sexy at the same time.

“I will take a scotch and she will have a glass of sauvignon blanc.”

The bartender nodded and went to get their drinks.

Mae wanted to be annoyed with him for ordering for her, but also found it endearing that he remembered her favorite wine.

As if reading her thoughts, Jonas asked, “Wine’s okay, right?”

She nodded.

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