Be a Doll(97)

“Under a few conditions, of course. I want to protect a lifetime of labor.’’

“Of course. You know I value every employee.’’

He nodded and extended his hand as he stood up, shaking mine with a smile. “I know my company will be in good hands with you.’’

“I’m sorry,’’ Lila said, walking up to us and offering a tense smile at us as we both buttoned our suit jackets. “I hope you weren’t leaving without saying goodbye, Mr. Tober.’’ Her playful tone worked on the older man who laughed good-naturedly and showed some charming manner, if outdated, by bringing her hand to his lips for a kiss.

“My dear, I wouldn’t dare. I look forward to spending another lovely evening with you, but I’m afraid an old man like me needs his beauty sleep.’’ He turned to me again and nodded. “I’ll have my assistant contact yours to settle a time and venue for next Thursday.’’

“Perfect. Thank you.’’

I stared at the older man leaving. It only took one evening with Lila and me to convince him to let me buy his company. I knew seeing me as more than just the shark I was known in business would play in my favor, but I hadn’t expected it’d be that easy.

“Does it mean what I think?’’ Lila asked, her eyes still in the direction where Tober had disappeared to, his walk not as springing as it used to be. He had gained more weight and it must make things more difficult for him. I had heard rumors stating that he had bad health issues and I was starting to believe that maybe these rumors weren’t just rumors. It would also explain his sudden eagerness at letting me buy his company without delving deeper to make sure I wasn’t playing him to get what I wanted. I was known in the business world to be quite resourceful.

“It does.’’ I frowned when I saw Lila’s face. When she left for the ladies room she looked relaxed and had color in her cheeks, but now she seemed off. “What’s wrong?’’

She shook her head and started walking toward the front of the restaurant to get our coats back. I lengthened my steps and leaned down to her ear when we waited our turn to get our coats. It appeared that several patrons had decided to leave the restaurant at the same time.

“Lila, I know your phone rang at the table and that’s why you excused yourself. It was my sister and I have a right to know what’s going on.’’

She sighed and bit on her lip, not caring if she ruined her freshly applied lipstick. “She’s fine, Mathis. I would tell you if something was truly wrong.’’

“But there is something going on,’’ I pressed on and turned when a young woman gave me our coats, but I didn’t pay her much attention when her eyes tried to find mine in some flirtation that did nothing for me. Lila remarked the woman’s behavior though because she glared and quickly let me help put on her coat before stepping out without waiting for me. “Damn woman,’’ I muttered and forewent buttoning my coat and sidestepped some patrons to join my wife on the sidewalk. “You know I’m not going to let it go.’’

Her glare softened when her eyes met mine and she nodded in defeat. She pointed at Lucas waiting a few cars down for us leaning against the car on the phone. We started walking in silence toward him, catching his attention. He wrapped up his phone call right when we reached him and he opened the door for Lila to climb in the car.

“Good evening, Mr. Grimes?’’ he enquired, probably sensing the change between Lila and I from when he drove us to the restaurant.

“Yes. It appears that this dinner was a success. We’re going home now and you’ll be free to enjoy your weekend, Lucas.’’

“Thank you, sir,’’ he said and closed the car door once I was situated.

Jaw locked and eyes on my wife, I waited for her to say something while she toyed with her clutch in her lap, her eyes resolutely fixed in front of her. Lucas found his seat at the steering wheel and turned on the car, working on the heaters to warm the car for us and then started driving toward the apartment, but we wouldn’t get there for a little while. Friday night traffic was always a nightmare.

“Lucas, turn on some music.’’

He executed my demand immediately, and I saw Lila’s gaze falling to the radio before she turned her head toward me. She knew I was trying to give us a resemblance of privacy so she would start talking.

“I had coffee with Megan yesterday because she needed a girl talk.’’

“It’s about a man then,’’ I deduced and the implication made my stomach churn. I hated thinking of my little sister with a man or having trouble because of a dick.

“I won’t go into details because your sister trusts me and I won’t betray her, but yes it’s about a man. She has feelings for him and he said he doesn’t.’’

“Who is he?’’

She pursed her lips at me and shook her head. “Do you really think I’m going to tell you? I already said too much.’’

“Lila—‘’

“No.’’ She held up a hand and effectively made me shut my mouth. “If you want to know more, be subtle about it and talk with your sister. I’m sure it’s been a really long time since you two had a real talk anyway.’’

My first inclination was to push, but I stopped myself when I saw the way her little chin jutted out in determination and the fire in her eyes warning me off, and drawing me in at the same time.