“What does that include?” I was going off record again, asking personal questions, things we usually didn’t discuss with our mentees.
“Champagne, of course, and a lot of food. I’m thinking a platter of French and Swiss cheeses.”
“So you like your cheese.”
“Oh yeah. I like even the lowly mac and cheese. As long as it’s creamy and chock-full of calories, I’m in.”
“And champagne? Any special kind?”
“Actually, yes. I like Bardoux’s Brut Traditionnel. It’s only produced in small batches, so I have to head over to Dumont Gourmet. Fingers crossed that I find it. I didn’t want to buy it before I knew if we’d be accepted. I
didn’t want to jinx anything.”
“I see you take celebrations very seriously.”
“Oh yeah. I even—” She stopped abruptly.
“You what?”
“Never mind.”
“Tess...”
“It was too outrageous to say out loud, even for me.”
“I’m even more intrigued. Tell me. I think you and I have been past outrageous since the first time we met.”
“I can’t believe you’re bringing that up,” she whispered.
I chuckled, imagining her all flustered and blushing. “I have a confession to make. I like teasing you, Tess. Making you blush. Even if I’m not there to see it. I can picture it in vivid detail.”
“You’re cruel.”
“No, just weak for you.”
“Oh, so you don’t flirt the panties off every woman you meet?”
“Only you. I promise you that.”
She cleared her throat. “Well, we’re going to collaborate, so we really should behave. Why don’t you tell me what the next steps are?”
She was right. I needed to rein myself in.
“We’ll be emailing you the contract today. We need to know within fourteen days if you want to move forward with the collaboration.”
“Okay. Thank you for calling to let me know. Have a great day.”
“You too. And Tess? Next time I see you, I’ll get you to tell me all about your outrageous celebrating habits. No matter what it takes.”
I heard her sharp intake of breath just before the call disconnected.
Instead of focusing on the contract, I opened Dumont Gourmet’s website on my browser, checking where the nearest one was and then ordering a bottle of Tess’s favorite champagne. I wanted to make her smile.
I had no idea how I was going to work with this woman and not make her mine.
Chapter Seven
Tess