Page 13 of Trust Me
“Isn’t that …” He trails off as I look over.
I square my shoulders as I take in the woman about ten feet from us. Same height, same complexion, and when she turns our way, my eyes fall to those same plump lips. They’re painted in the same red color as they were the night at The Black Opal.
“Wasn’t that the woman who approached you that night?” he asks.
I nod and take another sip of my drink.
“Did you get her name?”
“Riley,” I say before I can think better of it.
In my peripheral vision, I see Diego turn to stare at my profile.
“You’re shit at remembering names.”
I barely manage to keep from flinching. He’s right. It’s one of the effects of my dyslexia. It takes me a long time to remember small details. My short-term memory is shit, which is why I spent hours going over the names of the events and attendees for this weekend.
“You told me you kicked her out and never saw her again.”
“I did,” I counter.
“But you remember her name.”
I turn away from him without answering. Despite my not wanting to, my attention turns back to the spot where she stands, except Riley’s no longer there. It’s not like I’m looking for her when I scan the room. I have a deal to close this weekend.
All thoughts about business cease when I spot her again. This time she’s talking with the man I came to this showing to see.
“Yeah, I’ll see you later,” Diego says behind me.
I didn’t even realize I had started in their direction.
Riley’s light laughter reaches my ears, and my grip involuntarily tightens on the glass in my hands.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” she says to Waterson.
His eyes widen slightly when he sees I’ve made their duo a trio.
“Mr. Townsend, it’s so wonderful you were able to make it.,” Sam greets.
“Mr. Townsend is my father, and he’s not here,” I say. “Kyle is fine.”
The older man nods, a smile spreading over his face.
“Besides, we should be on a first name basis, seeing how we will work together soon.”
Keen eyes take me in. “The papers haven’t been signed yet,” he reminds me.
“Sam, you know as well as I do that it’s in your best interest.”
He chuckles. “Lydia is pestering me to sign the damn papers. I told her that the contract says that even with the merger, I’ll remain at the company for at least a year to ensure a smooth transition.”
I nod, knowing the paperwork well.
“That’s a brilliant clause to include on Townsend’s behalf,” the woman beside me interjects, obviously not one to be left out. “Mr. Waterson, sixty percent of your employees have been with your company for over a decade. That’s an impressive feat, especially in this day and age of job hopping.”
Sam Waterson fucking preens under her praise. His smile grows impossibly wide.
“They’ll appreciate that even after the merger is completed, you’ll still be there,” Riley continues. “Transitions take time. People want to feel their leaders are looking out for them.”