C'mere (Paul Banks fanfic)

The Plaza

- It’s OK, Paul. As long as you remain sober enough to retain everything we discuss today, you’re good. - Rhi joked.

He sniggered and took the last sip of his martini.

- That's all I'll be having today, I'm all ears now.

Rhi bit her lips, eyeing him.

- I went through everything you gave me, the letters, the recordings, everything. - She started. - We have a strong case. But we will ask him if he has any proof, so we can negotiate…

- He can’t have proof, those songs are not his…

- I know, it’s just procedure, in case he wants to pull something funny at us.

- Ah. Lawyers always go one step further, don’t you?

- That’s exactly our job.

Her Shirley Temple arrived and she regretted not having ordered a 5th Avenue Star… She would have the salmon and Paul, the aged steak. Rhi saw him play with a napkin and imagined he was wanting a fag.

- We should've chosen a place where you could smoke… - She commented, with a regretful face.

- How did you…? Never mind. I wouldn’t want to disturb you anyway, since you don’t smoke, I’m fine.

She felt guilty for lying to him, but continued talking about what they were going to tell Wilson. The food arrived just as Paul told her what he planned on saying and she thought that was exactly what she wanted him to say.

- Your demos are so good, by the way. – She told him as they ate.

He stopped chewing.

- Really? You think so? – He stared at her with a strange expression.

She bit her lower lip.

- Yes. I enjoy indie music… what? Don’t give me that look… 

- You don’t seem like the kind of person who likes noisy guitars, I don’t know… - He was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

Rhi felt self-conscious and didn't comment, just watched him eat. He thought she looked annoyed, so he smiled at her and she relaxed. There it was, the magnetism again.

- I’m most surely as boring as you think I am, but I do like indie rock. – She insisted, shrugging.

He shook his head.

- I don’t think you’re boring, Rhi. You’re a very collected person. And I like you for that. It's a rare ocurrence these days. You’re great, really.

She nodded, modestly and looked around the beautiful marble walls and glass ceiling. She suddenly remembered her date with Lee, he had been so adorable and funny. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Would she ever get that feeling again? The thrill and adoration... like the one she was feeling now... but for a man who was not her fiancé. She tried not to stare at Paul, who was happily eating his steak, but she couldn't draw her eyes off of him. 

- Do you have a boyfriend? – He asked out of the blue, as if he had overheard her thoughts.

She swallowed the salmon she had been chewing on for some time now.

- Yes, as a matter of fact. I am engaged. - She showed her ring off. He looked at it and raised his eyebrows approvingly.

- That's great, congratulations. - He was grinning, like he really meant it.

"Why wouldn't he?" She thought. "The fact that I'm fantasising about pushing him to the ground and having him right there does not mean the feeling is reciprocal".

- Thanks. How about you? - She ventured. 

- Me? I don’t currently have a boyfriend. – He teased. 

She laughed, she had seen a woman in his apartment the other day, but she knew better than to bring that up now. What did she care, anyway?

 - So you're up for the taking, for any... boy? - She joked, chuckling.

- I actually kind of like girls... - He said with false guilt.

- Yeah, I thought as much. - She accepted and they both laughed.

They finished their meals with satisfaction grins on. Suddenly, his phone started vibrating. He pulled it out of his pocket with a cranky face.

- I kinda have to take this if you don't mind... - He whispered.

- No, please. - She gestured for him to answer. 

- Ok... YO! Hm-hmm. I'm having lunch with my lawyer-friend - He swiftly looked at her. She pretended not to be overhearing. - Yes the thing with Aiden. Yup. Well, I'll be there at around 7 I think. Sure... of course bro. See ya then. Bye.

- Should we ask for the bill then? - She asked when he hung up, looking at her watch. Half six.

- Uh sure. - He called the waiter and did so. - Where are you from? Your accent reminds me of my dad's family...

- Essex.

- That's why then... - He seemed fascinated.

- So we're both from Essex?

- I guess so... and from New York, too.

- We have a lot in common!

- Who would've said... - He trailed off.

When they had paid, they both looked out the window and saw a woman running behind her dog. It was a huge golden retriever that had broken free from its leash and was now jumping directly into the fountain. They giggled.

- He must be hot... - She mediated, not without irony.

- We should go out and take some fresh air. The work here is done and it's a crime we're indoors on such a beautiful day... as majestic as indoors is... - He proposed looking around the beautiful salon.

Rhi hesitated. Yes, she wanted out of this place that reminded her of Lee, but she didn't want to just, what? Go take a walk with a client? She wanted to say she had to get back to the office, but she actually didn't. The office was a mess now, she didn't need to be back there till next week...

- You have to be somewhere at 7... - She reminded him.

- You clearly have never seen me drive. - He answered, standing up and asking for her hand to help her up, too.

She sighed, with a resigned air and took his hand. He smirked and they walked out of the Plaza, into Central Park.