Winter Interlude (64 page)

He cleared his throat and his business mien was back in place once again. “Several design firms have offered bids. The building’s a real mess and needs almost everything from the inside out. Innovative and fresh…isn’t that what they say about your work?”  When she nodded, he added, “So I couldn’t leave your plans out of the process.”   

The project in question was a renovation, an especially attractive prospect because the office building itself was on the historic preservation list, creating an even heftier challenge for anyone daring to undertake something of this magnitude. Old buildings all over San Francisco needed twenty-first-century updates. But this was
her building
.

Well, not hers, exactly, since McAllister, Incorporated owned it.

She clenched a fist. Ownership didn’t matter. She just had to make sure she got the job. Her plans were solid. Nothing would stop her from seeing them through to completion. Not even the inconvenience and pain of dealing with the sexy hunk in front of her, one whose grin had suddenly become smug. Her spine stiffened. She could do this. No way she’d let him affect her any more than he already had.

As Judith reached into her bag, her confidence returned. “I have my plans right here.” She handed him her proposal. “They meet all of your specifications.” 

McAllister, Inc. wanted all of the frills, including state of the art heating/air conditioning, updated electrical, lighting, and security system, the best technology offered, as well as making the building earthquake and fire-resistant. Being historic meant all of these frills had to be done without taking away the integrity of its age and beauty.

Dev placed the folder on the desk in front of him.

She bit her lip and watched him thumb through it. Second by second, her delicate thread of self-assurance slipped. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and resisted the urge to fidget. She cleared her throat and said with much more certainty than she felt, “Once you’ve had a chance to review it, we can meet to go over specifics. I can answer any of your questions at the same time. Or if you’d rather, we can do it right now, step by step. It shouldn’t take too long.”

“I’d like nothing better than go over this right now, but there’s a slight problem.”  He glanced at his watch. “Something
unexpected’s
come up and I need to be somewhere in fifteen minutes. How about meeting later tonight for dinner? 
My treat.”

Dinner?
  He was asking her to dinner?  Crossing her fingers to negate the small lie, she replied, striving for casual, “I can’t this evening. I have plans.
How about lunch tomorrow?”
  Lunch was doable, but dinner was another matter entirely.

“I know
it’s
short notice and I apologize.”  Though he spoke the words with a twinge of regret, the amusement spilling from his shrewd, blue gaze belied his sincerity. So did the half-grin he still sported. He straightened and added in a more businesslike tone, “I’ll review your proposal during my spare time this afternoon. But I want to discuss it with you, along with any questions. I’m presenting my decision at a board meeting tomorrow morning.” 

He sat back with fingers together, tips touching his chin, and scrutinized her.

Finally, he sighed. “I’ll be honest. I’m leaning toward a solid plan from another firm. But, before I finalize anything and because you were highly recommended, I felt you deserved a shot. So, it comes down to timing and availability. I have no preference, but I thought a busy restaurant would be a more comfortable environment than an empty office after hours.” 

His lopsided grin was back as well as that amused glean in his eyes. “It’s up to you as to where, but if you want a shot at the job, we’ll be meeting tonight. It’s the only time I’m free.”

Judith groaned inwardly. The last thing she wanted to do was have dinner with
him
. It wasn’t in her best interest to be anywhere
near
the man in such a setting, considering their last meeting.
But t
he building was hers. No way
she could
back down now.

She flashed a Gucci knockoff smile. “I guess my plans can change.”  She’d deal with any client, even if it meant tangoing with
Satan,
or one Devon A. McAllister in this instance. She could resist his charm.
After all, she’d already
had practice.
Back
then, she’d been a naïve, green girl who’d never met anyone like him. “When and where shall I meet you?”

“I’ll make reservations for seven and pick you up a little before.” 

“I don’t think so,” she said with finality, noticing that same smug gleam in his eyes. “I’ll meet you. You’ll be pleased with what I’ve done, so tell me where and I’ll leave you to make your meeting.”

A determined blue gaze met hers. She held her breath…waiting...praying. His confident expression told her that even though round one wasn’t ending in a complete knockout, he felt secure in the outcome of their skirmish. The game had begun and he was definitely playing.

“
Vincente’s
and don’t be late.”   He released her stare and stood, then picked up his briefcase and stuffed the proposal inside, along with a laptop. “Now, I should get going.”

He was beside her in seconds.

“Allow me,” he said, as she straightened after retrieving her bag. “I’ll walk you out.”  When his hand touched her elbow, the connection sent a small burst of energy straight through her.

Judith glanced at him, noting his startled reaction, and at that precise moment realization set in. How would she ever survive dinner when a decade had done nothing to alleviate the strong current of attraction that had sprung up between them? 

Remember my building.

She sighed and preceded him out, hoping she could stay focused on her objective.

Dev stopped by his assistant’s office. “If you need me, call my cell,” he said, before accompanying Judith to the elevator.

Neither spoke during the short ride.

He walked her out to the street. When he neared the door of a white limo, he turned. “Can I drop you anywhere?”

“No thanks. I’ll see you at seven.” She smiled to cover a sudden rush of panic and strode briskly away without caring that her house was in the opposite direction.

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