A Solitary Romance: Book 1 in the Only Love Series (7 page)

"Two bimbos from twenty-seven chatting about a great way to meet men:  Attend AA meetings in Beverly Hills!"

Katrina's mouth gaped open.

"It's true, and it makes perfect sense.  The guys are usually single
and
they're loaded.  It's a full-proof way to meet eligible men!" she said, her volume rising with the last sentence.

"Kate already has a way to do that," Robert said in a low tone, stopping behind them.

"Do tell!"  Kiki said, scooting over to make room for the new boss who'd just arrived at the restaurant.

"You will have to ask
her
about yesterday morning," he said, placing his hand on Katrina's back before continuing, "I've been sworn to secrecy."

He grinned before moving on down the bar and taking a seat next to Chuck Manning.

"I hesitate to inquire about what went on between you two yesterday, but I will!"  Her voice trembled with excitement and her eyes grew large and round, like a kid in a candy store.

"Nothing.  The man's insane," Kate replied matter-of-factly.

"Katrina, that blush moving up your face says otherwise.  When you're ready to spill it, I'm here for you, Girl.  Oh, I've got to go say
hello
to Randy from sixteen.  I'll be right back."

She ran off through the crowded bar and left Katrina to stir her drink alone.  The thought of her tussle with Robert
was
enough to make her blush. 
Insufferable man!
  She remembered her promise to Mr. Dodd.  The LaSalla's must have been good family friends indeed for William to  extract a pledge of peace from her.  She wondered how she'd get through the next few months and could only hope that the older man return to his company soon. 

"So how was your day?" a familiar voice spoke close to her ear, and she felt her knees melt.

Before she could answer, he reached for her necklace and held a section in his hand, rubbing a pearl between his thumb and forefinger. 

"Pretty.  Did you know the lights above the bar have been reflecting off these crystal thingies?  I've been getting hit with a real kaleidoscope, right in the eyes."  He ran his hand up the strand of pearls to the next cameo, moving close to her for a better look at its carvings.  She could feel his breath on her neck.

"They're glass, Venetian glass intaglio cameos," she said sternly.

Robert brushed a strand of hair from her shoulder and continued examining her necklace.

"Very pretty," he repeated in that low tone which had such an effect on her.  His breath caressed her ear.

She felt sure she was about to repeat the fainting episode when Kiki came bounding back to the bar, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention.  He dropped her pearls and turned his attention to the receptionist.

"They're ready for us in the back.  Everyone, come on, let's go.  Mr. Dodd will be here in a few minutes.  Chop, chop!"  She raised her voice to be heard above the din.  Men and women in suits, glad the weekend had arrived, now filled the bar to capacity.

Katrina hurried past Robert and walked into the private room with Chuck Manning.  She sat next to him and Kiki filled in on the other side.  At least she wouldn't have to deal with LaSalla during dinner.  The receptionist had asked her to say a few words, along with several other people, and she wanted to keep her head clear for that.  Before long, everyone had found their seats, and waiters filled champagne flutes at each place.

More time passed before she heard applause starting at the back of the room, signifying that the guest of honor had arrived.  William had changed into casual clothes, sporting a crew-neck sweater and khakis instead of his normal power suit.  He walked in with an entourage of close friends, most of whom she'd met before.  It was an older, country club crowd.  She saw Robert included with this group, and he seemed on familiar terms with the other gentlemen.  Kiki stood and gestured for William to take the seats reserved for them, at the head of the table.  As the pillars of the community filled their chairs, LaSalla chose one across from her.

She resorted to the old technique of ignoring the man, and took great interest in the conversations taking place on either side of her.  A major client and buddy of the managing partner stood to give the first toast.  Katrina didn't listen.  She went over her encounter at the bar.  She had the impression that two or three men had toasted Dodd while she reviewed every detail of Robert's actions.  Vaguely aware of bursts of applause and laughter, she forced her attention back to the party.

"Penny for your thoughts." 

She glanced across the table to the source of those words and saw Robert examining her intently.

"Say, why did you n—never mention this guy before?" Chuck asked.  He sounded tipsy.  "What's all this stuff about you turning him down?"

She shot Robert a pleading look before turning to Kiki for help.  The receptionist tried to distract Chuck Manning but had no luck.

"You know, sh—she doesn't turn me d—down," Chuck stammered, slapping himself across the chest as if they couldn't guess which
me
he meant.

Kate exhaled and rolled her eyes.  This couldn't get much worse. 

"Stop it, Chuck," she said, but applause drowned out her words.

The clapping died down and an eerie silence fell on the room. 
Did everyone hear Chuck's crude comments?
  She glanced around, confused, and noted that all eyes were on her. 
Yikes
.

"I'll go first," Robert whispered, rising from his chair.

Still mystified, Katrina didn't figure out things until her new boss began his tribute speech.  LaSalla started by thanking Dodd for giving him a position, then recounted what a true friend the managing partner had been to his parents.  He kept it short, and the group, who by this time had imbibed quite a bit of alcohol, applauded vigorously when he finished.

Kate took her position up front next.  She stopped to hug the managing partner before beginning her speech, and tried to fight back her tears.

"I've spent a lot of time with Mr. Dodd over the years, and I can honestly say he's the best boss I've ever had.  But tonight, I'm going to share some things you might not all be aware of regarding our honored guest."

Everyone laughed.  She liked public speaking and knew how to hold an audience in the palm of her hand.  She continued, making eye contact with as many guests as possible.  Recounting the time she and Willian ended up stuck in an airport due to a freak snow storm, Katrina included tales of her boss taking charge of a colicky baby, organizing an all-night poker tournament among their fellow travelers, and purchasing an airline ticket so a college student could make it home for his sister's wedding.

"Thank you, William Dodd, not for only the generosity you've shown your employees, but for what I've glimpsed outside the office.  You are and will always be an inspiration." She ended her tribute, choking back tears. 

Wild applause erupted as the managing partner stood and embraced her in a bear hug.  His circle of close friends stood, some bestowing hugs on Katrina, and some giving her hearty hand shakes.  It would be a tough act to follow.

Chuck, scheduled to speak earlier, still hadn't sobered up.  He couldn't even sit straight but slouched over the table.  Kate gave Kiki a worried look, but the receptionist remained unflappable.  She watched as her friend whispered something in Manning's ear, then she, herself, stood by the head of the table.

"We'd like to hear from the legend himself," she announced, gesturing towards Dodd, arms outstretched and palms facing the ceiling.

One of William's more alacritous pals leapt forward and clasped Kiki in an embrace, lifting her off the ground by her waist and spinning her in the air.  The room went wild.  When the older man put the receptionist down, she gave him a mock shove and finger wag, while he mimed something they all understood as
What, not me?

The gorgeous Hawaiian looked at the crowd and said, "He's been waiting years to do that!" before sending the man back to his seat with a good-natured wave of her hand.

Impressed with her friend's composure, Katrina gave her a thumbs-up when she returned to the table.  She could never have pulled
that
off.

William spoke at length about the company, his friends who'd made his success possible, and his gratitude towards Robert LaSalla who had so graciously agreed to step in at Dodd and Company.  He mentioned how he looked forward to spending a few months living as a gypsy, up and down the east coast.   He finished to a round of applause.  Waiters served dessert and coffee before the revelers went home.

Her friend pulled Katrina aside as she walked from the dining area.

"I've got to stick around and help sober Chuck up.  He shouldn't be driving.  Can you grab a table in the bar and wait for us there?"

"Sure, Kiki.  But I'm not up for a late night, okay?"

"Of course. I just want to get a couple cups of coffee down him, then call a cab to take him home."

The bar area still hopped with urban professionals, but the crowd had thinned.  She'd never been here this late and didn't recognize any of the patrons.  Katrina chose a small round table in the corner, hoping no one would notice them with Chuck, and ordered three coffees
without
Baileys.  She leaned against the wall and tried to make out the music that played over speakers.  She caught the lyrics,
Everybody's Workin' for the Weekend
.  She guessed the staff switched off the normal smooth jazz at nine.

Soon, the receptionist appeared with Manning on her arm. 
Poor Kiki!
  To her horror, Robert LaSalla trailed behind, carrying Chuck's briefcase and a box of decorations belonging to her friend.  He set the items on a neighboring empty table and pulled up a chair next to Katrina, making it a foursome.  As the group huddled around the tiny table, she felt her new boss's leg against her own, producing a trill of electricity that ran up and down her body.  Sitting close, she became aware of his scent. Kate's mind went back to Manning's crude statement earlier in the evening.  She could slap the ignoramus.

A waiter arrived with the coffees, and she gestured to Robert, letting the waiter know he should have the third cup.  The college-aged boy held up a finger and mouthed,
One more?
with lifted eyebrows, and she nodded.  LaSalla then tried to pass his drink to her, but she shook her head and said, "Mine's coming."

"Gee, Kiki, you didn’t tell me this was a du—du—double date," Chuck stammered.

Now Kate understood how the receptionist got
Mr. I've-Had-Too-Much-To-Drink
to pass on his speech.  She must have told him she wanted to speed things up so they could share a nightcap together. 
Clever girl
.  The three chose to ignore Manning's remark, and Robert changed the subject.

"Kiki, that was some dance move you pulled off in there," LaSalla said with mock astonishment.  "Didn't you get dizzy?" he added.

"Nah.  I'm not surprised John did that.  He's been asking me out for years."

They chuckled while their drunk companion stared off into space.

The receptionist and acting managing partner carried the conversation.  She couldn't stop thinking about the way he handled her pearls and how his breath felt against her neck.  She sipped her coffee absentmindedly, without noticing when the waiter provided refills, and lost track of time.  Chuck's raised voice brought her back to reality.

"I want to know a—about this whole dating thing that went on b—b—between you two.  The company has a policy about that k—kind of stuff, you know."

They did know.  Interoffice relationships, past and present, were allowed, but had to be revealed to Human Resources.  Katrina never considered time spent with Manning dating, and most of the time they did share involved company events, so Harriet Reynolds knew all about it.

"It's simple, Chuck.  I asked Kate out, and she turned me down cold.  End of story."

"Excuse me, but the cab you ordered is here," their waiter announced.  "Would you like me to show the gentleman the way?"

"Yes. Yes, that would be wonderful.  Come on, Chuck, it's time to go,"  Kiki said with a smile.

The receptionist grabbed Manning by the elbow and walked him from the restaurant, escorted by the helpful waiter.  She looked over her shoulder and mouthed,
I'll be right back
.

Katrina wanted to leave too, but decided she first would put this dating thing to bed once and for all.  She scooted her chair away from her new boss and began.

"Look, you
never
asked me out.  I don't know why you continue to say such a thing!" she said, her tone reflecting the intensity she felt whenever around Robert.

Her intentions to portray an attitude of indifference failed whenever she looked at the man.  She found herself eyeing his flint-like jaw and struggled to keep her gaze off his lips, or worse still, his muscular chest.

"Oh, yes, I did, and
I
can't figure out why you continue to deny it."

"You did not!" she exclaimed, her impatience with the man intensifying.

"I did," he responded, his voice calm and deep.

"Robert, you must have me confused with one of the countless bimbos who flock about you!" she spat, her exasperation evident.

His unruffled demeanor annoyed her beyond reason.  She wished she could take the words back as soon as they left her lips as she witnessed a satisfied smile spread across his face, breaking at last into a full grin. 
Insufferable!
She wanted to get up and leave, but felt she needed to wait to ensure Kiki returned safe and sound.

LaSalla crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair, looking like the cat who swallowed a canary. 
Infuriating!

"Besides, you turned me down a second time at the library."  He held up two fingers. "We have to have full disclosure. You know that.  Throwing it out there protects us both," he added in a whisper, leaning in towards her, still calm and collected.

"Just what are you implying?"  She couldn't control the quiver in her voice.