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“What is a priority?”
Marissa laughed lightly. “Mr.—Bruno, our conversation is getting a little personal, don’t you think?”
“You know everything about me, right down to my net worth. A mutual exchange of information will improve our work relationship.”
“I need to know all about you because I’m trying to find you a wife, remember?”
“It’s important that I know something about you, since you asked me to trust you from the first day we met, remember?” He held her gaze.
She didn’t appreciate him tossing her words back in her face, but she didn’t want to alienate him, either. Sharing a little about herself wouldn’t hurt.
“I’m not used to clients inquiring about my personal life, but since you insist, I’ll answer your question. I’m going to buy a house later this year, and I’ve been preparing for that—paying off my debts, saving as much as I can. There’s also the possibility of a promotion at the company. I’m working hard so I’ll at least be considered for the opportunity.”
“Thank you for accommodating me, and the owners would be a fool not to consider you for the promotion,” Bruno said.
Pleased by the compliment, Marissa’s cheeks warmed. “Thank you for the compliment. Now, your next date?—”
“No man in your life, though?” Bruno asked.
“Excuse me?”
“There is no man in your life?” He swirled the amber liquid in the glass.
“Not at the moment.”
“Hmm.”
She didn’t want to know what that meant. Their conversation was getting dangerously personal. “Next up is Deanne. She works at CNN.”
Marissa walked away, struggling to maintain a natural walk because she could feel Bruno’s gray eyes burning a hole in her back. She sent Deanne—a Black woman with caramel skin—over to him and returned to the bar with Wanda.
“Everything good? You seem upset,” the older woman said.
“I’m fine.” She wished she drank. Alcohol could probably settle her nerves. “No problems at all, and Bruno is happy with the choices so far. After the next three, I’ll let you check in with our bachelor, and I’ll mingle with the women. It’s good for us to mix things up a bit.”
“Fine by me.”
That wasn’t the only reason. Marissa needed a break from Bruno. He was intrusive and made her uncomfortable. She wished she didn’t have to talk to him at all for the rest of the night.
Chapter Nine
Marissa sat at the bar, writing notes in the leather-bound notepad she had brought with her. The women and Wanda had all left moments ago, leaving her alone with Bruno, who had stepped outside to make a call.
Hyperaware of him, she knew the moment he re-entered the room. No one else might have noticed, but she did. There was a subtle change in the air signaling she was no longer alone. That he had returned.
She glanced up from her notes and crossed one leg over the other. His eyes followed the movement, and once again her body heated at his attention. He’d put back on his jacket and came to stand beside her, resting an arm on the gleaming bar top.
“Have you decided which three you want to see again?” Marissa asked. The sooner she received his choices, the sooner she could escape his presence.
“I have. Casey for sure. I like her sense of humor, she’s a great conversationalist, and physically, she checks all my boxes.”
Marissa nodded and wrote on her notepad. No surprise there. She’d considered Casey at the top of the list. Good to know her tastes were aligned with his.
“Sasha was interesting. We both have a similar background, coming from other countries when we were children and moving to the States. We talked a bit about the culture shock we experienced when we moved to the U.S.”
“It’s good that you found something in common to talk about. She’s very smart. I don’t know if she mentioned that she works in biotechnology.”
“She did. She’s definitely a fascinating woman,” Bruno said.
