CHAPTER17

Hunter

I arrive at Meals Networkwith solely 5 minutes to spare. It’s been an insane day of conferences and preventing my manner by way of LA visitors. I hoped to swing by Riley’s workplace and spend a while catching up along with her since we haven’t been in a position to join in particular person since I moved to LA per week in the past, however it’s unlikely to occur. I look down at my Hublot watch as I stride down the corridor to the reception space and notice I’ll barely have time to kiss her on the cheeks earlier than we begin speaking enterprise. Not less than I’m not late. That will’ve been a catastrophe.

After I flip the nook towards the receptionist’s desk, I cease lifeless in my tracks once I learn the signal hanging on the wall behind her: Meals Community. Holy smokes. It’s truly taking place. It’s not as if I haven’t been anticipating this second for the final six weeks, however the truth that I’m truly right here blows my thoughts. If I carry on my deadly mixture of attraction, wit and enterprise savvy, in three hours from now, I may very well be one step nearer to closing one of the crucial prestigious offers for our firm.

The caramel-skinned lady with a good looking head of black curls sitting behind the desk notices me standing there with a frozen look on my face and smiles. “Good afternoon. How might I provide help to, sir?”

Let’s do that.“Good afternoon”—I pause to learn the title on the little metallic plaque—“Jasmine.” She beams once I name her by her title. “I’ve a gathering with Riley Carrington and Jamie McPherson. My title is Hunter Evans and I’m the co-owner of Completely Pure Meats.”

“Sure. Jamie is anticipating you. Let me contact his assistant, Georgina. She’ll accompany you to the convention room.”

“Thanks.”

“If you happen to’d like to sit down over there,” she says, pointing on the darkish grey sofa, “it shouldn’t be too lengthy. Would you want a cup of espresso?”

“Usually I’d say sure, however I’ve already had three cups so I actually ought to cease for the day. However thanks a lot for providing.” I smile.

“I made the identical promise to myself earlier than lunch, however I’m at quantity 5,” Jasmine says, decreasing her eyes to the espresso sitting close to her laptop computer laptop.

I open my mouth to reply however an incoming name interrupts me. Jasmine lifts her finger at me to ask me to attend. She grimaces apologetically, however I nod to let her know that I perceive. I flip round to take a seat, however once I do, the posters on the wall catch my consideration and I discover myself drawn to them. I take just a few steps ahead, admiring the pictures of superstar cooks adorning the partitions. If this deal goes by way of, like I do know it would, not solely will or not it’s terribly profitable, however it would additionally open the door to entry these high cooks. A lot of them have fleets of extraordinarily common eating places all through the nation. Carry. It. On.

As I think about Jake and I dominating this trade, a voice behind me calls out my title. “Mr. Evans?”

I flip round and face a skinny, extraordinarily elegant middle-aged girl with fashionable brief spiky salt-and-pepper hair. You’d assume she was Jamie Lee Curtis’ twin. Though the actress is manner earlier than my time, my dad has at all times had a crush on her, therefore I used to be pressured to observe all of her motion pictures. “Sure,” I reply. “That’s me, however please name me Hunter.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Evans.” Or you may ignore what I simply stated. “My title is Georgina and I’m Jamie McPherson’s assistant.” She smiles, extending her hand to shake mine. “If you happen to observe me I’ll take you to the boardroom.”

“Good afternoon, Georgina. Prepared the ground.”

I’m so prepared for this. I’ve by no means been an expert athlete, however the adrenaline speeding by way of my veins proper now could be surreal. I guess you fighters have to be as pumped up as I’m proper now earlier than getting into the ring. There’s no two methods about it. I’m going for gold.

I observe Georgina by way of a maze of places of work and boardrooms. I’m too single-minded in my focus to totally soak up my environment as we make our approach to assembly. “You’ll be assembly Ms. Carrington, Mr. McPherson and some different workforce members in that room over there,” she says, extending her finger in entrance of us.

This have to be critical enterprise.I can’t assist however discover that the room Georgina is pointing at appears like a fortress in comparison with a lot of the different convention rooms we’ve simply handed that had been largely all glass and seemed like large fish tanks. There’s not even a glass opening on the door. “This have to be the Alcatraz room,” I joke, hoping to lighten the temper.

Georgina stops so abruptly I practically stumble upon her. She turns round to face me with a stony face. “Solely critical potential distributors ever see this room. Contemplate your self very fortunate, Mr. Evans.” Okay. I’m getting the vibe that she’s not the touchy-feely sort, however I can’t inform if she thinks it’s a great factor or not that I made it this far. “You’ll be able to think about we get 1000’s upon 1000’s of requests each single day from completely different firms throughout America begging to be a part of an elite and selective group of premier distributors who’re awarded coveted contracts to provide us with kitchenware, kitchen home equipment or meals. Heck, we even get just a few overzealous Canadian firms who assume they will make the ranks.” She chuckles. “Your organization’s status is impeccable and that’s why you’re right here right now. Frankly, I believe you’re far too younger to be this profitable, however Ms. Carrington assures us that you simply and her brother are whiz youngsters in the case of constructing companies that maintain churning out high quality merchandise with out fail.” She grins from ear to ear.

I sigh inwardly and smile proper again at her. “You had me going there for a minute, Georgina. I couldn’t inform when you favored me or not.”

“It’s not my job to love you, Mr. Evans. My job is to vet the hell out of you.” She pauses earlier than persevering with. “And after completely doing my homework, I’m extraordinarily impressed.”

Landing!I’ve to include myself to not soar up and down like a quarterback who’s simply scored the profitable level with just a few seconds left on the clock. I do know I nonetheless have three hours of grueling negotiation in entrance of me, however her phrases increase my confidence much more, and belief me, I used to be fairly rattling assured earlier than I walked in right here. I really feel like I’m ten toes tall. We’re so shut.

“Wow. I didn’t anticipate that. You flatter me, Georgina.”

“I’m not one to simply give out compliments.” No kidding. “That ought to inform you all you might want to know.” I suppose it does. One much less particular person to win over. With a hand on the doorknob, she delivers her parting phrases as she cracks open the door. “Better of luck, however for some motive I doubt you want it. I anticipate I’ll see much more of you round this workplace sooner or later, Mr. Evans,” she says, dragging her eyes alongside my body.

Now don’t get me improper. I completely have my recreation face on and there’s not a pussy on the planet that may distract me proper now. That stated, I can’t assist however marvel if Georgina isn’t flirting with me. Not that I’d be against somewhat MILF motion sooner or later. She would possibly come off standoffish, however deep inside, she’s somewhat strait-laced minx.

Since I’m right here for enterprise and never pleasure, I maintain it skilled. “It was a pleasure assembly you, Georgina. I hope that your predictions turn into a actuality and that we’ll run into one another once more quickly.” I cross my fingers to emphasise my level. Georgina rewards me by biting her decrease lip earlier than opening the door to let me in. Oh, yeah. She needs me.

I don’t have time to admire Georgina strolling away from me as a result of the minute Riley sees me she jumps to her toes and runs in direction of me. “Hunter,” she sings. “I haven’t seen you in a month.” She slams her physique in opposition to mine and hugs me so laborious I worry I’d choke. After just a few lengthy seconds, she lets go and the air fills my lungs once more. “Take a look at you. You’ve undoubtedly dressed the half.” She winks.

“Nicely, thanks.” I believe.

“It’s so humorous as a result of again house I at all times see you in your denims and scuffed-up work boots, however you appear like a mannequin in your tailor-made swimsuit,” she says appreciatively. “And these killer footwear…” Riley is salivating on the sight of my new pair of Berluti bespoke Italian design footwear.

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