After hours

Chapter Thirty-Four

                “Patrick Benson called this morning for you.” Stacy said as soon as I walked in the door.

                “Senior or junior?”

                “Junior.”

                I gave her a funny face. “Did he say why?”

                “No ma’am. Just requested a returned call.”

                I sighed. “Do you have a call back number?” She handed me a piece of paper.

                “How was your date?” She probed excitedly.

                I smiled. “Let me give Patrick a call back and I’ll tell you everything.” I assured her and I sat down at my desk and dialed his number. “Hello Patrick? Yes this is-”

                “Do you really think I don’t know who you are?” He chuckled over the line. “How the hell are you?”

                “Very good, thanks.” This was…weird. To say the very least. I was grateful at least that we were only talking over the phone. He couldn’t see the red of my cheeks at being so flustered to be talking to him again. It felt like an eternity since I had spoken to Patrick, I had no idea how to handle this or what to say to him.

                “Still banging that boss of yours?”

                It was nice to see at least one of us was comfortable.

                “Don’t be so crude.” I picked up a pen and doodled absentmindedly on my planner.

                “Huh. So no?” I wished he could see the disapproving face I was making now. “Listen, I’m not trying to be a jerk. I’m not even calling for personal matters.” The line was quiet for a moment as he allowed me to accept this news. Okay. “I’m starting a business and I wouldn’t want anyone else to do it with me.”

                I dropped my pen.

                “Ryan?” He asked after a very, very long silence.

                “I, I’m still here. I just, I have to admit, I’m surprised.” I leaned back in my chair. “I’m sure Daniel will be all over this.” Another Benson deal, I was surprised. Very, very surprised.

                “No. I don’t want him anywhere near my company. Just you.” He replied firmly.

                “Patrick I’m not that familiar in all this. You don’t want just me. Beside, Daniel is the one who runs the place. It’d be like, fraud, going through with a deal without him.”

                “It’s not just a deal Ryan. I’m not talking about another hotel or franchise or some bull. I’m starting my own business. My own cooperation.”

                “Does your father know all of this?” I didn’t want to be that person who was deeply invading his personal life, but I loved his father, and I know how much his father enjoyed working with him. I really hoped Patrick wasn’t going to blindside his father with abandoning his company.

                I could practically hear his eyes roll. “Yes Ryan. I have discussed this with my father. In great lengths.”

                “Oh.”

                “Lots of people deal with private practices. You can be my private practice.”

                “I-I’ll have to think about it.”