Deadly Infatuation

Chapter 19

Max

I'm sitting in another meeting going over the details for the expansion into Europe with my dad and the team we've picked to help us with it. We've been going at it for two hours, and we've finally made agreements on the next few steps. While myself and a selected team will go over to France to pitch our wine to some potential big retailers, my dad will stay here to monitor the site and make sure everything runs smoothly on his side. As the meeting draws to a close, everyone leaves but my dad and myself.

"You've done good, son," he praises as he pushes his chair under the glass table. "At the rate we're going, we should have wine all over Europe just in time for Christmas."

I nod my head and follow him out of the room. "That's the plan. I know things are moving kind of fast, but I think it's the best time to act."

"Yes, you're right. With the profits we're making, we might as well invest them into something bigger." He slaps me on the back as we walk down the corridor. "Keep up with the good work."

"I will," I promise. I part ways with my dad as he takes the lift back up to his floor while I head over to my assistant, who is sitting at her desk. "Stacey, what's on my schedule for the rest of the day?"

She gives me a warm smile and opens up her notebook. "You've got an interview with Forbes at two, and then a meeting with Roger at four-thirty. Then you're free for the rest of the day."

"Can we push up my meeting for 4 p.m. as I want to leave the building early? There's somewhere I need to be." Or some pretty little florist I need to see to take her mind off of the past shit 24 hours.

"Of course," she replies with a smile. She lifts her cell phone, possibly to let Roger know, and I leave her to it and go back to my office. I take a seat behind my desk and pull my phone out of my suit pocket and send a message to Lily.

Me: Be ready for 5 p.m. I'm taking you out for food.

I don't receive a reply, so I assume she's busy at work and put my phone down and spend the next hour going over the details for the trip to Paris and have Stacey pencil in two companies for me to contact as potential investors. I then start to prepare for my interview with Forbes when my phone buzzes on the desk and see Lily's name across the screen. Smiling, I answer the call. "Hello, Lily."

"Hey. what's this text about you picking me up?"

"I thought I'd take you out for a meal after you finish work, considering our last one didn't end well. Think of it as a do-over."

"That's kind of you, but you don't need to do that. Besides, things are hectic here as I just reopened the shop, and I may have to stay open until six."

I spin my chair around and look out at the streets below. "I'm sure you have staff that can cover for you."

She's quiet for a moment. "I have my mom with me today as extra support. I guess she can lock up for me."

I instantly smile at the memory of Mrs. Hail. "Excellent. I'll see you at five then."

"Hang on," she bursts out as I'm about to hang up.

"Yeah?"

"Can we not go anywhere too fancy? I'm all hot and sweaty and I'm not wearing anything nice."

I chuckle. She always thinks she looks a mess when really she looks phenomenal. "Don't worry. I'll take you to a bar. How does that sound?"

"That sounds right up my street. I guess I'll see you at five then."

"Yep. See you later."

I hang up and lean back in my chair, placing my arms behind my head. As I look at the city in my wall-length windows, my mind stays on Lily. I can imagine her flushed face as she runs around the shop, making sure everything runs smoothly. I love her work ethic as she reminds me of myself. My work phone buzzes, and I answer it. "King, here."