Page 22 of Cocky Tech God
“Have you met him yet?” I glanced behind me, feeling Hansen’s presence, but didn’t see him.
Brett shook his head. “We have a meeting later this week, but I haven’t had the opportunity yet to introduce myself in person.”
“You’ll get the opportunity—”
“Good evening, fellow techies,” Hansen’s voice slipped in between my words, making me spill my sparkling wine on the white tablecloth.
Ugh. I was too keyed up.
“Hansen.” I touched the delicate skin at my throat, feeling the rapid pulse of my heart. “Well, hello to you…techie.”
“Having a drink, I see.” Hansen’s bright green eyes pinned mine for a moment and then slid down to my glass of wine. “Ahh, too bad sex on the beach isn’t available.”
I laughed through the spike of heat rising through my body from my toes. “It’s amaretto sour, and I agree. Too bad. I’d prefer that instead.”
“Oh, I bet.” A smug look on his face, a lift of his eyebrow, and then he turned his attention to Brett. “And you are?”
Brett extended his hand to Hansen. “Brett Doran, sir.”
Sir. The formal address nearly made me laugh out loud. I’d never been able to be formal with Hansen, and after last night I may never be.
Hansen shook his hand, his eyes glancing up to meet mine for a moment. A question darkened his irises. What that question was, I couldn’t tell. Maybe to ask if I knew Brett? It flickered away as fast as it came.
“Brett and I just met. He’s interested in my codebase.” I laughed.
Hansen’s lip lifted. “Who isn’t?”
Jerk. I shook my head. “And I told him exactly what I told you.”
“Oh, and here I thought I was special.” Hansen took a drink and moved over an inch. Out emerged from behind him was Calista Everette. “This is Calista Everette, CEO of NuvaTech.”
I was frozen with the surprise. I didn’t see her, though I can’t imagine why. The woman stood out like a sore thumb, and not just because she was almost six-feet tall. Almost as tall as Hansen in her high heels.
“I didn’t see you there, Ms. Everette.” I put down my wine glass.
“Lucia Mendez, intelligence-adapting software extraordinaire.” She shook my hand with a smile on her perfect, plum-painted lips.
“Lucia is owner of LM Software.” Hansen touched my arm and then hers.
“Yes, I remember.” Calista nodded.
I had to wonder if she was aware of our proposal to NuvaTech. Did she have any idea how much I wanted her business?
I touched Brett’s forearm and Hansen zeroed in on my hand. “This is Brett Doran. He’s in software technical sales and support.”
“Yes. For a small startup in Sydney.” He paused.
“Brett Doran…” Hansen narrowed his eyes. “Ahh yes. We have a meeting later this week, don’t we?”
“We do, sir.” Brett grinned. “On Thursday night.”
Calista lifted her wrist, glancing at her watch. “Blimey! I’ve got to go.” She turned to Hansen. “Will you pop round?”
“Yes, absolutely.” His eyes lit up.
“I’ll text you my room number.” Calista beamed.
Wow. That was bold. How could they arrange a rendezvous in front of us? Affirming an obvious hook up in front of myself and a potential candidate was in poor form.