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Sawyer lifted one brow, toying with the sleeve of his shirt as he rolled it up to his elbow. “I think the question is perfectly clear.”
He wanted to know my thoughts? But why?
“I think… I think he seems decent. From what I’ve read about him, he comes from old money and does the best he can to make sure that he does something good with what he has. Sure, that could be clever press, but if the meeting here was anything to go by, then I think he’s just eager to help.”
Sawyer remained silent, so I pressed on.
“His reasonings, I’m sure, are his own. But, when you detailed your plan to him about making sure the medicine remained affordable, he seemed to perk up.” I paused, trying to think of a better way to word it but ultimately, I couldn’t. “Honestly, he reminded me of a child who had found someone who shared his unique interest for the first time.”
The corner of Sawyer’s mouth twitched briefly with the softest hint of amusement.
“You just need to secure the patent first, right?”
Sawyer nodded, keeping his eyes locked onto me. I couldn’t look away, not that I wanted to. I could lose myself in those ocean eyes and happily never be found.
“Why do you care?”
Sawyer’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“I mean, why does it matter what I think?” I asked again, hurriedly rewording my surprise.
“I value what you think,” Sawyer replied.
Really? I didn’t think he cared much about my opinion, never mind noticed me beyond my ability to send papers scattering in the air.
“I think you have a good nose for people because you certainly didn’t speak that highly of Eli Talbot and he’s famous for being charming.”
My nose wrinkled immediately at that man’s name, and sourness swept over the back of my tongue. Eli Talbot. The CEO of PRISM is one of Sawyer’s main competitors. They were top in the medical field before Sawyer took over Crane Enterprises and redirected the company’s focus from investment to medical.
“That business dinner where we met was lovely, but the only thing that stunk was Eli and his obsession with what the next horrible way he could make the most money regardless of who would be affected.” I couldn’t wrinkle my nose hard enough and finally looked away from Sawyer with a roll of my eyes. “I have no respect for a man like that.”
“What kind of man do you respect?”
His question caught me off guard and once more, the tips of my ears warmed. As I looked back at him, the heat flushed down the back of my neck.
“Well… I respect a man who isn’t afraid to do the right thing. Who isn’t afraid to take care of people and in Eli’s case, I respect a man that isn’t willing to make his next million off of the backs of people already struggling.”
Sawyer’s eyes slowly dropped away from my eyes, dipping lower across my body. The heat continued to seep across my shoulders, and I swallowed dryly.
Was that the right answer? Was he expecting me to say something else?
“See?” Sawyer’s eyes darted back up to mine. “You have a good judge of character. If you had sat there and voiced a single doubt about Kane, no matter how small, then I would have canceled the deal.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” I scoffed without thinking. “That deal is far too important.”
“I would.” Sawyer sounded completely serious and nothing could stop the warmth spreading to my cheeks.
He meant it. He really would have changed his plans based on my thoughts. There’s no way he thinks my opinion is that important.
Does he?
Sawyer finally looked away and returned to his tablet.
I wanted to ask more. I wanted to probe a little deeper into why he cared what I thought when half the time it felt like he didn’t even notice me. But as I opened my mouth, the office phone blared into life.
Reaching across the table, I grasped the receiver and lifted it to my ear.
“Good evening. Mr. Crane’s office, Callie speaking. How can I help?”
