Honor

Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

R eid

I arrive back at the office at three fifteen and immediately notice that Miss Starling’s laptop cover is closed, and her purse and phone are nowhere to be found. Neither is she.

I gave her permission to call it a day if she completed the monstrous list I complied for her that included both business and personal tasks by three o’clock.

“Where the hell did you and Baden disappear to today?” Vance strolls out of my office. “Also, explain why the fuck there are library books and a box of chamomile tea on your desk.”

“I like to read,” I say as I brush past him.

“When you’re drinking tea?” He huffs out a laugh.

The tea was an afterthought because I wanted the list to come out at an even thirty tasks. I’ll drop it off in the staff break room before the day is done. Someone will enjoy it.

“Miss Starling picked it up,” I answer brusquely. “As for your first question, we were with the Bogners for most of the morning. I went to two other meetings after that. You’ll have to ask Baden where the fuck he disappeared to.”

“I’ll do that.”

More than likely, he won’t.

Baden’s approach to securing a deal differs from ours. He’s much more hands-on, doing whatever it takes to align himself with the needs of potential clients. He did just that with the Bogners yesterday in the atrium. I watched him charm them both by asking about their family members, their goals in retirement, and how he was sure Mr. Bogner would beat his ass at golf when he takes a weekend away from New York next year to visit them in Florida.

He conjured up that mental picture in such pointed detail that I know it impacted both Mr. and Mrs. Bogner. I wasn’t surprised when they reached out this morning wanting to negotiate their way out of their bowling alleys and New York state. We’re inching closer to a deal. I anticipate we’ll have that in place within the next few days.

“Are you free for dinner tonight?” Vance asks.

“To eat with you, or are you looking for me to tag along on another double date I want no part of?”

His hands jump into the air as if he’s surrendering. “I did that once, Reid. It’s a mistake I won’t make again, and besides, I’m not dating anyone right now.”

I’m not surprised to hear that, but I am mildly shocked he told me.

Vance keeps his personal life under wraps. The one and only time I met a woman he’s involved with was when I agreed to the ill-fated blind date.

It was a disaster from the start. I left the restaurant convinced that our friendship was teetering in the balance because the woman he paired me with had one agenda, and it involved a wedding ring and me in a tux standing next to her.

“Thank Christ.” I smile. “Where are we having dinner?”

“My place.” He smiles. “I’m cooking.”

I’d complain, but he’s skilled in the kitchen, so I nod. “I’ll bring wine. Red or white?”

“Red.”

I nod. “Done.”

“Pick up a bottle of Bandello’s red,” he suggests. “Since we’re about to leap into the vineyard space, I should know what we’re working with. You’re a fan of it, right?”

Smiling at the one postage stamp in the middle of my desk, I glance at him. “I’ve never tried it.”

His jaw goes slack. “We’re sinking millions into this deal and you’ve never tasted it? Tell me Baden has.”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Miss Starling has, and she says the red has a bitter note.”

Raking a hand through his hair, Vance sighs. “Jesus, Reid. If this deal comes back to bite our asses…”

“It won’t,” I snap, interrupting what he’s about to say. “The business has been earning a steady profit. We’ll make some adjustments, improve where necessary, and in a couple of years we’ll make bank when we sell to a more established winery.”

“You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”

I shoot him a smile. “Don’t I always?”

“Bring a bottle of Bandello red tonight,” he says. “We need to know what we’re dealing with.”

“I’ll grab it on my way to your place.”

He glances toward my assistant’s vacant desk. “You mean you’ll make Evie run and get it, and then you’ll bring it with you.”

Normally that would be my plan, but since Miss Starling is so fucking proficient at her job, she’s clocked out for the day, so I’m on my own.

I can’t say I thought she’d get that list done, but then again, why am I surprised?

“She went home for the day,” I tell him so that I can see his reaction.

“What?” His brow furrows. “Is she sick?”

I bark out a laugh. “She’s fine. I gave her the time off.”

“You?” He points a finger at me. “You gave Evie a few hours off? Why?”

I should be offended, but I’m not in the least.I know I’m a hard-ass when it comes to our employees. Vance can be, too, if warranted, but someone needs to keep this operation running smoothly on a daily basis, and I’ve taken that burden on.

“She deserved it,” I say honestly.

He offers me a lopsided grin. “I agree. Drop by around eight for dinner.”

“Make it seven,” I counter. “I’m dead tired.”

“That’s what you get for pulling an almost all-nighter to get your claws into a winery that may not be worth every penny we’ll pay for it.”

“It’ll be worth it.” I run a hand over my jaw. “Trust in the process, Vance.”

“Don’t I always?” He smiles. “I’ll see you at seven, Reid. If you need any help before you call it a day, don’t bother Natasha.”

I chuckle because his assistant would have been my first call if I did need help with anything, but I won’t. I’m more than capable of handling everything on my own, even though Miss Starling would beg to differ.

The thought of her on a date tonight suddenly invades my thoughts again. It’s been a recurring issue all day. Every time I imagine her sitting at a table in a five star restaurant with some guy next to her, I’m hit with a bite of frustration.

It’s a new experience for me, and it’s not welcome.

“I need to get back to work,” Vance announces. “I’ll see you later.”

“Later,” I call after him as he exits my office.

My gaze lands on my assistant’s pristine desk and empty chair. I stare at both before I walk over, pull out her chair, and take a seat.

Closing my eyes, I inhale the subtle scent of roses lingering in the air.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I chastise myself before I push back, stand, and walk into my office, slamming the door behind me.