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“I have in years past, but it’s been a few years now.”
“Any particular reason why?”
I shrug. “Besides you asking me to, no. I guess I assumed people don’t want to hang out with their boss on the weekend.”
“I guess that says something about me?” She nudges me with her elbow just as we approach a few of the guys she was speaking with earlier. They’re loudly shouting about something when they back up and one bumps right into my chest.
“Sorry, si—oh, Mr. Archer, sorry, sir.”
“Hey, Steven, no worries.” I grab his shoulder and turn to the others. “Hope you guys are having a good time.”
“Yes, sir,” Steven says, the others echoing his sentiment as we walk on.
“Do you intimidate everyone?” She laughs and I look over at her.
“Do I? I don’t think so. Were they intimidated?”
“Yeah.” She says it like it was right in front of my face. “Steven was beet red and practically choked on his words when he saw it was you he ran into.”
I shrug it off. I’m not a tyrant by any means. I go above and beyond to give my employees higher salaries, better work-life balance, and reasonable deadlines more than any other competitor.
“Do I intimidate you?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Really? That’s surprising I guess since you approached me so confidently in the bar that night.”
The sun has begun to set as we walk closer to the Ferris wheel.
“Yes, well, like I mentioned, I was several glasses of champagne and that was very much not like me. I was feeling empowered and bold and decided it was my moment to go for it… which clearly backfired.”
“It didn’t backfire.” I chuckle.
“Really? Because I recall looking back to see you gone and the piece of paper with my number on it still on the bar top.”
“We both know why I did that.”
I usher her toward the ramp for the Ferris wheel and we wait as an empty car approaches and the attendant opens the door for us. We step inside and each take a seat on opposite benches. The lights of the city twinkle against the multicolored sky. Ribbons of orange and pink make it look like the sky is on fire as the sun slowly sinks lower in the sky.
We both stare out over the skyline for several moments as the car travels slowly upward. We comment on the skyline, making small talk about our favorite views. After a few moments of silence, she grips the edge of her seat and leans slightly forward, the tip of her pink tongue darting out to wet her plump lips.
I try to ignore it but my eyes are drawn to her. A small smile tugs at her lips and I know something is brewing in that head of hers. So, against my better judgment… I ask, “What’s on your mind?”
“If I hadn’t written my name on the paper, would you have called me?”
Yup, instant regret on asking.
I lean back, crossing one ankle over my knee as I stretch my arms out over the back of the seat. I settle my gaze on her, thinking before I reply.
“Brontë.” I level my eyes at her, attempting to give her time to take it back, but she doesn’t. She squares her shoulders and stares back at me.
Defiant little thing.
“I don’t think that’s a thread we should pull at.”
She doesn’t break eye contact; instead, she doubles down so I lean in.
“What did you come here looking for tonight, young lady?”
