Pia.
"What's going on?" he asked, his smile disappearing
"Nothing, she just needed a touch up" Veronica smiled
She was good at lying. She gave my thigh a reassuring squeeze.
"Are you okay?"
I realized he was speaking to me. I looked at him and nodded. He stared at me. I knew he knew I was lying.
"I'm taking you two out for lunch"
"What's the occasion?" Veronica laughed
"You're looking at the new partner of the entire firm"
"What?" Veronica looked at him
She stood up and rushed over to him and hugged him.
"Congratulations!" she laughed, "That's great"
"Congratulations" I told him, trying to push a smile through.
"So let's go. It's on me" he smiled
I didn't want to spoil the moment so I decided not to go.
"It's alright" I shook my head
"Let's go, Pia" Harry looked at me
"I..."
Veronica held her hand out.
"Come" she beckoned
I gave in because I had no choice.
I stood up and went with them. We reached the lobby. It was quiet. We walked to the parking lot. A black Ranger Rover's lights flickered on and I heard the doors unlock. He opened Veronica's door and then mine.
"Thank you"
He nodded, closing the door for me. He joined us in the car, starting it and shifting into drive. He drove out of the lot and onto the street. I sat in the back wanting to hide away. I had so much going on and I wasn't in the mood to sit around a table and push expensive food around my plate, under the gaze of two kind people and their eyes filled with pity for me. It seemed like a waste of money. I felt Harry's eyes on me via the rearview mirror.
We turned and stopped at a stoplight. It was quiet. Someone turned on the radio to fill the void.
"So what did they say exactly?" Veronica asked
I sat there picking my nails.
"That they've been watching me and vetting me for about a year now and they can't wait to have me as a partner. I signed the paperwork and tomorrow I get a new office, well we all do"
I felt his eyes on me again via the rearview mirror. We pulled into our destination a few minutes later. He pulled up and shifted into park. We got out of the car, he handed the keys to valet. He waited for Veronica to walk forward and waited for me to walk in front of him. He placed his hand on my lower back and I flinched.
He removed his hand and held them behind his back.
"Three please" he spoke to the hostess.
He nodded, grabbing three menus, "This way please, Mr. Styles"
He walked us over to our table. I sat down and took my menu from him.
We each thanked the hostess before he left.
Soon the waiter arrived.
"Mr. Styles, we're so honored to have you"
I guess everyone knew him.
