“Just starting,” Kit said before Cornelia could answer. “Would you like to join us?”
Greg looked at Cornelia. “Do you mind?”
“No, no, of course not.” But Cornelia did mind. She’d been looking forward to a relaxing meal. Now she’d have to be on her toes, because with Kit there, avidly listening to every word, conversation would be a minefield she’d have to carefully navigate.
Their waiter noticed the addition at the table almost immediately and came over to take Greg’s order.
Once he’d left them alone again, Greg turned to Cornelia, “I’m glad I ran into you today, because I have some news. In fact, I planned to call you later.”
Cornelia knew Kit would be storing up every morsel of gossip. “Good news, I hope.”
Greg shrugged. “It is good news, but there’s bad news that comes along with it.”
“Well, come on. Don’t keep us in suspense,” Kit said.
Still looking at Cornelia, he said, “I’ve been offered a terrific job in Hawaii.”
Cornelia couldn’t hide her surprise. He had taken her completely off guard. “That’s wonderful, Greg,” she finally managed to say.
“Greg!” Kit said. “But that means you’ll be leaving us.”
“Yes,” he said, finally turning to Kit, “that’s the bad news.”
Cornelia used the few seconds his attention was directed elsewhere to pull herself together again. She wasn’t sure why Greg’s news had affected her so strongly. After all, she had never viewed their relationship as anything but pleasant and temporary. “You’ve accepted, then.”
His eyes met hers again. “I haven’t officially, but I plan to. It’s just too good an opportunity to pass up.” This last was said more softly, almost apologetically.
“I’m glad for you, Greg,” she said, meaning it. But she would miss him. Funny that she hadn’t realized how much she had begun to count on him as a good friend. And, if she were being completely honest with herself, as someone who made her feel important … and almost young again.
They continued to discuss the new job and what it would entail until their food arrived. Once again, they fell silent for a few minutes. But after Fred was gone and they’d begun to eat—Cornelia her chicken salad, Kit her tuna tartare and Greg his ribeye special—Greg said, “You know, I’m still wondering why this opportunity came my way. I asked how they’d decided on me, but I never really got an answer.”
“Well,” Kit said, “obviously your reputation preceded you.” She took a bite of her tuna. “Yum. No one does tuna like Paulo.”
“One of the other golfers mentioned that a Seattle company was heavily invested in the resort where I’ll be working,” Greg said. “Maybe that had a bearing on their decision to offer me the job.”
Cornelia put her fork down. “A Seattle company? Which one?”
Greg speared a fry. Smiled at her. “HuntCom.”
“HuntCom,” Cornelia repeated.
Perhaps her tone sounded odd, because Greg frowned a little and said, “Yes. You know the company, don’t you?”
“Know it?” Kit squealed. “Why, Cornelia’s husband was one of the founders of HuntCom.”
“Really?” he said. “I had no idea.”
“Yes, well,” Cornelia said, keeping her tone light even though her insides were churning. “It’s old news. Very old news.”
“But you’re still very good friends with Harry Hunt,” Kit persisted.
Cornelia now wanted to strangle Kit, even though she was sure Kit had no idea how uncomfortable Cornelia felt, because Cornelia had never even hinted at her feelings for Harry. In fact, she’d kept the subject of Harry Hunt out of all her conversations with Kit … and just about everyone else. She’d always been too afraid of giving herself away. “Yes,” she admitted, because she really had no choice, “Harry and I are old friends.”
“Maybe you could ask him why they picked me,” Greg said.
Oh, I’ll ask him, all right. And that’s not all I’ll ask him. “If I ever have the opportunity, I will.” She picked up her fork again and took a bite of her chicken. But it no longer tasted good. Cornelia knew, without ever having to hear one word of explanation from Harry, that he had done what he did best. He had gotten rid of the competition.
Cornelia didn’t know whether to be flattered or furious.
One thing she did know. Harry had never intended for her to find out about his behind-the-scenes machinations.
She almost felt sorry for him.
When Zach and Georgie got back to the office, Deborah greeted Zach with a slew of phone messages. “You’d better call Jonathan Pierce first,” she said. “He didn’t sound happy.”
“That man is a royal pain.”
“Don’t I know it! He nearly snapped my head off.” Deborah made a face and looked at Georgie. “I don’t envy you working with that man.”
Zach heaved a sigh. “Okay. I’ll call him.”
Zach closed his office door before picking up the phone. If Pierce was going to be hard-nosed, he might have to be told some home truths.
“I resent the fact that you’re handing me off to some second-rate assistant,” Pierce said without preamble.
“Miss Fairchild is not a second-rate assistant. She’s a top-notch researcher and specializes in evaluations of possible grant recipients. You couldn’t be in better hands.”
“I prefer dealing with you.”
“I’m overloaded right now, Jonathan. Miss Fairchild is taking over all pending evaluations.” Zach kept his voice level, but inside he was seething. Who did Pierce think he was? He wanted something from them, not the other way around. If Zach didn’t think Carlyle was such a worthy possible beneficiary, he might just tell Pierce to take a hike.
“I would think you’d make an exception for us.” Pierce’s voice was steely.
And why is that? “I’d like to, but I can’t.”
“I see. And that’s your final word?”
Zach sighed. What the hell was the man’s problem? “Come on, Jonathan, be reasonable. I—”
“Be reasonable! I am being reasonable. You’re the one who’s blowing me off. Maybe we should just go elsewhere.”
Zach almost laughed. Go elsewhere? Did Pierce think that was a threat? There were dozens of possible grant recipients lined up, hoping for a positive response from the foundation. And the foundation could not say yes to all of them. They simply didn’t have enough resources. “If that’s your decision, we’ll certainly understand.”
If he’d thought Pierce would back down, he was wrong, for the doctor, still obviously furious, said a curt goodbye and hung up before Zach could reply.
Zach just stared at the phone. Sometimes he couldn’t believe the way people acted. He wondered if he should tell Georgie what Pierce had had to say, but he quickly decided against it. There’d be time enough after Pierce made his next move. Frankly, Zach had just about had enough of the arrogant prick. He’d almost be glad if Pierce went elsewhere. Let someone else deal with his grandiose fantasies.
Looking through the rest of his phone messages, he saw that his sister had called. Deciding he could use