“Now, if our shipment doesn’t get delivered today, we’ll be paying your invoice less any delivery charges along with a five percent discount on the materials.”
“You can’t do that!” His voice is laced with anger that he seems to be trying to hold back rather unsuccessfully.
I forge ahead. “Actually, we can and we will. Then we’ll start looking for other suppliers. I think you’ll agree that this is a rather large city and there are plenty of other people that can make good on their delivery date guarantees.”
There’s silence on the line and for a second I worry that I’ve pushed too hard. I don’t know Dante’s relationship with this man, maybe he needs to use Dimitri for some reason I’m not aware of. But the fact is, Moreno Construction can’t do their job if they don’t have the supplies and it seems like Dimitri has been taking advantage of the somewhat “disorganized” office procedures before I got here.
Finally, he returns to the line. “The shipment will be there by four. Just make sure that Jake’s there to sign off on it.” I can hear his barely controlled anger over the line and I can tell he’s holding onto the mask of civility with a tight grip.
Since I definitely won this round, I sweeten my voice as much as possible, “Thank you so much, Dimitri, we’ll let Jake know. I look forward to working with you in the future.” Unsurprising, he grumbles something unintelligible at me and hangs up. I take a deep breath trying to damp down the adrenaline the call shot through me. I’ve never stood up to someone like that before, it felt amazing.
Before I even know what’s happening Dante is pulling me out of my chair into a big hug and laughing. “That was amazing, Vi. You’re amazing.” I can feel my breasts pressing against his solid chest, his arms circled around me. I know my face is flushed as I feel my heart rate start to accelerate and the telltale tingle of arousal between my legs. Dante has never hugged me before and I’m a little shocked that I feel more from this one platonic embrace than I have from any of the kissing or fooling around I’ve done with any guy in the past. My nipples harden under my blouse and I really hope he can’t feel them.
Suddenly, his arms drop away and he turns from me. I have just a second to spot his flushed face. Maybe he’s embarrassed by his sudden display of exuberance or, worse, maybe he noticed my body’s reaction to him. Where is God with a lightning strike when you need him?
“How did you learn how to do that?” he asks me while busying himself at the filing cabinet across the room which suddenly feels much smaller than it did just moments ago.
I shrug. “I guess I have my dad to thank for that one. We don’t talk much but every time we’re together he’s on the phone negotiating something or other. I must have just picked it up over the years. I hope I didn’t overstep.”
“Not at all. I wish I’d dealt with Dimitri like that years ago. I’ve just been so busy keeping our heads above water that I’ve never had the time or inclination to get into it with him. Even if I did, I don’t think I could have done better. Did you really look up industry standards for deliveries?” he questions.
I let out a laugh. “Are you kidding me? When would I have had the time to do that? No, I just did a little bluffing.”
“Damn, I don’t think I’d want to go up against you in a game of poker.”
“You’d have to teach me the rules first.”
“Maybe I will he,” he says with a grin.
As if to remind me that I shouldn’t be playfully bantering with Dante, the alarm on my phone goes off, letting me know that it’s time to leave so that I have plenty of time to get ready for my date with Tyler tonight. I reluctantly switch off the alarm and look over at my boss, my best friend’s dad, my unattainable crush. “I guess it’s time for me to head out. Will you call Jake and let him know about the shipment?”
His face sobers up immediately. “Okay, yeah, no problem. Thanks for all your hard work today.”
“Of course, it’s been fun.” And truthfully it has been. The work isn’t taxing but I’m really enjoying coming up with solutions to make the office more efficient and putting Dimitri in his place was a thrill I haven’t experienced before. Getting to spend time with Dante is the icing on the cake. Okay, honestly, spending time with him might be the entire cake.
While I’m closing down my computer and straightening my desk Dante saunters over to my side, hands shoved down deep into his pockets, looking slightly nervous. “The big date is tonight, right?”
I’m a little surprised that he remembered. “Yup, got to go home and get ready.”
“You’ll tell Bianca where you’re going right?” He looks away from me and seems to be staring at the wall, his brow has a little furrow in it I’d like to reach up and smooth out.
“Always. Safety first and all that.” He just nods and keeps his eyes on the wall.
“You be careful, all right?”
“Of course, this isn’t my first date after all.” I try to laugh off his seemingly parental concern but I can see him flinch slightly at my words.
I grab my purse from underneath my desk and sling it over my shoulder just as he turns to me. “Just... if there’s a problem. If you need help or a ride, or anything... you can call me. You know that right?” My head jerks back in surprise. Of all the things I thought he might say, I wasn’t expecting that. I don’t want him to worry about me.
“Dante, honestly, you don’t need to worry. Bianca and Hollie know where I’m going and who I’m going with. I’ll be fine.”
He’s nodding his head at me. I can see concern in his face along with something else that I can’t quite place. “Just promise me, okay? If you need me, you’ll call me?”
I feel like this is completely unnecessary. I’m a grown woman, more than capable of handling a date on my own. Still, he seems genuinely concerned and I decide to appease him. “Sure, I promise. If something happens, I’ll call you, okay?”
He just nods and moves back to his desk across the room. With the conversation apparently over, I grab my keys from the bag slung over my shoulder and head out of the office, down the stairs, and out of his house, reminding myself that this date is a good thing. It’s a necessary thing. That’s becoming more and more apparent the more time I spend with Dante.
???