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“I may have told her where I live, and she may have run by out of curiosity. Can you imagine the chances of us meeting up like that? Twice? First at the bar and then yesterday?”
Enzo makes thiswhat the fuck?face that I’m not a huge fan of at all. It’s totally different than my father’syou’re such a fuckupface, but it makes me uncomfortable for similar reasons.
“I assume there’s a punchline to this bad joke?”
Like tearing off a Band-Aid, I just go for it.
“It was still pouring, so I invited her up to my apartment to eat dinner. And we kissed. But that’s it. Nothing more.”
Enzo sighs loudly enough for the couple next to us to look over.
“Enz, I swear to God this woman has some special power over me. I lose my mind whenever she’s around. But no one understands more than I do how bad it would be for us to get involved.”
“An understatement,” he says, then takes a bite of food. He makes a sound. “Man, this is good.”
I forge ahead. “If we’re caught, she could be reassigned, which would cause another delay.” Oddly, he seems neither concerned nor surprised. “And Ada is up for a grade-level promotion, so it wouldn’t be good for her either. We both understand the stakes.”
Enzo wipes red sauce from the corner of his mouth.
“That’s encouraging,” he says wryly. “Are you sure the site visit is a good idea?”
I look him squarely in the eyes. “I know it’s not. But we’ll be surrounded by her team. And after this weekend, there’s really no reason for us to meet again in person.”
He shakes his head. “I’m just confused. This isn’t like you at all.”
That surprises me. “No? To fuck up years of hard work? I think it sounds just like me.”
Judging by the look he gives me, Enzo clearly disagrees. “First of all, you’ve come a long way since college. And when you’re not actively trying to fit into your father’s narrative of your life, you manage to fuck up very little. Second, name one woman who’s rattled you like this. Ever.”
That’s easy.
“I can’t.”
“Exactly. So no, I don’t think this is like you at all. But I do think you’re flying close to the danger zone. It will impact you way more than it does me if your dad comes on board.”
Per the agreement, if we default on the loan terms, Enzo will retain a fifty percent share in Angel, Inc., but I’ll give up twenty-five percent of mine to my father. I couldn’t give a shit about the money. I have no doubt this company will bring in more than either of my parents have seen in their lifetimes. But working with my dad on a daily basis?
No can do.
“It wouldn’t be ideal for either of us.”
Enzo puts down his fork. “So you just have to manage to go two days without laying a hand on Doctor Flemming.” Enzo smirks. “OrAda.”
I don’t deserve him.
After everything I’ve laid on him, he’s making jokes.
“Listen. I trust you. Would I prefer for Angel, Inc. to be just the two of us? Of course. But we knew all along there was a strong possibility we couldn’t get this done within the time frame. Your dad is a smart guy.” He holds up a hand. “I know you don’t see eye to eye. But it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for the business. Just for your sanity.” He shrugs. “If it weren’t for you, I’d have sold the patent years ago. I don’t have a fraction of your business sense. I didn’t negotiate contracts with distributors all across the country or coordinate our finances. So whatever happens, with Ada Flemming, with our business structure . . . do whatever you think is right. I’m behind you all the way.”
I’m at a loss for words, but I finally manage to form a coherent sentence.
“Thanks, Enz. And sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” I say, sincere.
“Sorry you had the bad fortune to fall for the wrong woman.”
Enzo takes another bite, his face scrunching up in pleasure. I dig into my food too but can hardly taste what’s on my plate. The type of pleasure that’s preoccupying me, for better or worse, has nothing to do with food.
And it definitely can’t be as easily sated.
