Valentine's Dinner?

1. The Invitation

Was I too eager? Valerie toothed her bottom lip as she stared at the text exchange. I know near nothing about him. Brilliant mind. Broad interests. Open with his thoughts. Why so protective of his identity? But God, his arms and shoulders. His eyes ...

Her reverie was interrupted by a knock on the open door, and she looked up from the phone as her Executive Assistant entered and said, "You're needed in the boardroom, Val."

"Thank you, Brad." She stood and adjusted her jacket. "What's this one?"

"Tweaking the SelMorTec offer."

"They've countered?" Valerie asked as they headed out the door.

"Likely. I heard that another company has approached them."

A quarter-hour later, after the board agreed to her recommendation to aggressively pursue the acquisition of the internet startup, Valerie returned to her office with Florence, her CIO.

"You appeared distracted in there, Val."

"Yeah." Valerie paused and nodded. "Yeah, I'm intrigued by a man I met a few weeks ago."

"Does he know who you are?"

"Only my first name and cell number."

"How did he get your number?"

"I gave him my personal one last week, hoping to increase his interest."

Florence pursed her lips. "Who is he?"

"A gentle soul with a brilliant mind." She sighed. "A broad-shouldered hunk, well over six feet tall, pale blue eyes and a gorgeous square-jawed face topped with unruly blond curls."

"Ooh! Why do I never meet any like him? Who is he?"

"I know only his first name." She pointed to her phone. "And now his cell number. A while ago, just before the board meeting, he sent a text inviting me to Valentine's Day dinner."

"Careful, Val – he may be a ruse planted to suss you out. Where did you meet him?"

"At the soup kitchen."

"Volunteering there like you?"

"Hmmm! Hadn't thought." She shrugged. "Likely with Community Services. He was at the other end of the serving line when I began, but increasingly intrigued by his looks and manner, I arranged to be moved beside him."

"Good. Not a recent arrival – and you initiated. Though for safety, you need to learn more about him before going any further."

"True." Valerie pursed her lips and nodded. "But he's so guarded with his personal information. That's why I wanted to talk with you. I need some tips on drawing him out – been ages since I was last tempted to snare a man."

"It's similar to how you use your drop-dead gorgeousness to mine corporate information." She chuckled. "Always love watching you do that. But for this, be less subtle with the sexual undertones and innuendo."

After a brief discussion, Florence left, and Valerie opened her phone to find nothing new from Lorne, so she scrolled up to reread his invitation.

Valentine's Dinner?

Love to

Overnight?

Not yet

Separate Rooms.

Hmmm

Long commute. Rushed dinner and very late back, otherwise.