Solid Stone Series

The rhythmic ticking of the small grandfather clock nudged me to keep an eye on the time. “So, can I tell him yes?” Ann’s voice, high and excited, came through the phone. Her enthusiasm was expected.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“You really need to get out more, Vee.”

“That’s what you keep saying.” I made a face, grateful she couldn’t see me.

“It’s been too long. You know I’m right.”

“There’s no rush. Seriously.”

“Dust off the cobwebs, let in some fresh air, and just get out there,” Ann advised.

“You’re crazy.”

“No, I’m your best friend. And it takes one to know one.” She laughed.

“I have to go, or I’ll be late for work. Since when did you start waking up so early?”

“I told you, I’m your best friend. Call me later.”

“Will do. Bye.”

Today was a big day, and I was dressed for it. I had carefully blow-dried my hair and was pleased with how I looked in a navy blazer and white blouse.

As a new employee at Oliver and Harold, I was accompanying my boss, Paul Anders, to the Paramount Hotel in Toronto.

We were meeting with attorneys from Laurier and Stone about the merger of two banks—E&B Dominion, their client, and Berkley’s, ours.

I walked down the street. Damn, I’d forgotten my hat. But I wasn’t going back; the speckled steps of the subway were just ahead.

It was rush hour, so the roar of the approaching train made me and the crowd move a bit faster.

Back on the street, I wrapped my red scarf tightly around my neck. There was a poster for an exhibit at the museum in May, the French Royals. That could be interesting.

I walked another block, and the Paramount was just ahead. Checking that I had everything in my bag, I took a step forward without looking. Bang! My laptop bag brought the revolving door to a sudden stop.

Startled, I looked up. There was a man trapped between the glass panels. His dark blue eyes were captivating. I blinked—his face was a work of art. He was breathtaking.

Regaining my composure, I said, “I’m so sorry, I should’ve been watching where I was going.”

The man looked down at me. His almost-black hair was short and layered, and he was impeccably dressed. He had a navy woolen coat draped over his arm.

I wanted to tell him it was cold out and he should put his coat on, but I didn’t.

The man had a dignified air and reprimanded me with just his look. I stepped aside, looking up at him, and he stared down at me, his expression unchanged.

My eyes couldn’t resist another look and followed him down the hotel steps. As he was about to get into a black sedan, he glanced back, and our eyes met just before I went inside to meet Paul.

We were meeting in the Bayview Room on the third floor. Just as the elevator door was about to open, I heard Paul’s friendly voice from behind. “Good morning, Violet.”

“Morning. Are you all ready for the meeting today?”

“It’s all I’ve been thinking about since we left the office on Friday. Do you have our files?” I nodded and pointed to my bag.

Inside the room, I pulled the blinds halfway down, still allowing in some natural light. There were eight black leather chairs around a boardroom table and two flipcharts off to the side.

I set up my laptop on the left, closest to the electrical socket. Paul gestured to ask if I wanted a coffee.

“No thanks,” I responded.

He poured one for himself, then took the seat next to mine and began flipping through the files in preparation for the meeting. Two of our associates, David Hershey and Mark Burns, came into the room.

Paul was meeting with Adam Stone, the senior partner at Laurier and Stone. From what he’s told me, Mr. Stone was famous for leading the merger of two major international fast food companies.

It wasn’t easy as both were key players in the market. But, apparently, he had managed to find common ground, resulting in a successful merger for them and a very lucrative deal for himself.

The merger was in the news and made international headlines. He was only twenty-five at the time. Shortly after, he partnered with Laurier, the opposing lawyer.

Just before nine, a man and woman came in and introduced themselves as associate lawyers from Laurier and Stone. They informed us that Mr. Stone was only minutes behind them, wrapping up a conference call.

My spine straightened. The tall and well-dressed man entering the room was the same one I had trapped this morning. Paul walked over to greet Mr. Stone.

“Adam, it’s nice to see you again.” Paul shook his hand.

“Good morning, and thanks for making the arrangements to meet here.” His voice was deep and masculine, perfect for radio or television. He nodded at his two lawyers and then at David and Mark.

Paul looked my way. “This is my paralegal, Violet Cole. She’ll be taking notes for us. I hope that’s okay.”

Mr. Stone walked over, extending his hand as I stood up. “Good morning. You look familiar.” He squeezed my hand, and I swallowed as some magnetic force swept over me. “It’s nice to meet you.”

My cheeks felt like they were on fire. “Good morning, Mr. Stone. It’s nice to meet you too.”

He stared with a slight smile, and I stared back until I realized I was standing in the middle of a room with six lawyers. I took my seat and watched Mr. Stone walk to his side of the table.

As the meeting began, I paid close attention. There was something about the banks’ computer systems not being compatible. At one point, Mr. Stone said, “Are you okay over there?”

I looked his way. “Yes, I’m fine, thanks.” He nodded, seeming satisfied.

Lunch was being catered, but I needed some air. “Paul, I’m stepping out for a bit. Do you need anything?”

He gave me a warm look. “No, I think we’re all set here.”

“Back for one?” I asked. Paul nodded, then turned to David who was asking him something.

I bundled up in my coat and scarf as I made my way down the stairs. The clouds were heavy overhead. I found a coffee shop down the street and settled into a barstool by the window with a latte and apple crumble.

Every now and then, my thoughts drifted back to him, the famous corporate lawyer. I could almost hear Ann’s voice in my head, “You need to get out more.”

I had to admit, I was thrilled about spending a few more hours with him this afternoon. I thought back to our encounter at the revolving door.

His eyes—they had pierced right through me, I was certain of it. I wondered what he had seen. I hoped it wasn’t… I shrugged off the thought as I picked up my fork.

I checked my watch and headed back. Two accountants had joined the table of lawyers. Mr. Stone was saying to one of them, “I looked over the Excel spreadsheets, and—” He looked up when I walked in and smiled.

At three, we took a break. On my way back from the restroom, he was coming down the hallway. As he stopped in front of me, I was forced to look into those dark-blue eyes again.

He took a masculine stance, leaning a broad shoulder against the wall, his shirt tightening around his well-defined muscles. When the air stopped, I realized I was the one not breathing.

His charisma consumed me and left my mouth dry. Then, with a voice as smooth as red silk, he said, “Are you managing to stay awake with all that legal jargon flying around?”

My lips felt dry when I opened them. “It’s not so bad, and I’m learning how to negotiate.”

“I hope I’m not giving away all my secrets.” He was smiling now. “I’ll see you back in there then.”

Then I watched as he confidently walked down the hallway. My insides buzzed, and I had to take a deep breath before going back into the room.

The meeting wrapped up at six thirty. I texted Ann to see if she could meet up for dinner.

Meet at our deli, see ya. xo,” she replied. “Our deli” had delicious, inexpensive wine, which was why we liked it so much. They also made a mean corned beef on rye sandwich.

As I got to the train platform, a thirty-minute delay was announced. I was tired, but I decided to walk and texted Ann to let her know.

Then I ran back up the stairs. As Murphy’s Law would have it, giant snowflakes began to swirl around my head as I walked out of the station. I wished then I’d gone back for my damn hat.

The wind gusted as I retraced my steps. Head down, I quickened my pace on the now slick pavement. Three more steps, and bang, I bumped into someone.

Thankful for not falling, I looked up. It was him. Shit! I was standing outside the hotel I’d just left.

“Are you okay?” He touched my shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Are you?” I was embarrassed for the second time today.

He looked down at himself. “Yes, perfect. Where are you rushing to?”

“I’m meeting a friend for dinner. There’s a delay, so I thought I’d walk.”

A black sedan pulled up, and a driver stepped out to take his laptop bag. Mr. Stone nodded at him and turned back to me. “I can drop you off if you like.”

“It’s really okay. I can walk.”

He looked at my hair blowing around my face and opened the car door. I had no choice but to get in or look rude. He slid in beside me and smiled.

I was now sitting next to the opposition and hoped to hell Paul didn’t walk out and see us.

“Where to?” he asked, and I told the driver. The plush seats and the warmth of the car felt good. “We seem to keep bumping into each other. Is it your boyfriend you’re meeting for dinner?”

I looked sideways and tried to keep breathing this time. He was hard to read, which made me nervous, and his natural height was intimidating inside the car. “No, my friend Ann.”

“That’s nice. Is it a good restaurant? Should I check it out?”

“It’s just a small deli, and we like it.”

“It must be good if you keep going back. If I weren’t busy, I’d join you.” He grinned to himself.

“Really?” I could only imagine Ann’s face if I walked in with him. She’d soon forget about any cobwebs.

“Yes, really. I always mean what I say.” My mouth felt dry again, and it was hard to swallow.

It wasn’t long before we were in front of the deli, and the driver opened my door. When I looked over at Mr. Stone, he nodded goodbye.

As I was halfway out of the car, he grabbed my hand. “Hey, remember to watch where you’re going.”

“I will.” He gave my hand another good squeeze, and I froze. Finally, I managed to say, “Thanks for the drive.”

Ann was at our regular table, and when I looked back, the sedan was still out front. I hugged Ann as she got up, and when I looked back again, the car was pulling away from the curb.

I had to admit I missed living with Ann some days, but other days I was glad for the privacy. This I would enjoy until my new roommate moved in at the end of August.

Brian was in his last year of a math degree and expected to be out of town with his girlfriend on most weekends. That was one of the reasons I chose him from the long list of applicants.

Ann and I ordered our usual corned beef on rye and the house red wine. I told Ann about the long day without mentioning any company names. “I expect the week to be a repeat of today—start early and finish late.”

“That’s going to make for a long week. So how the hell do you stay awake?”

I grinned. “The other senior partner is really hot.”

“What? Like you-want-to-date hot or just a little simmer?”

“You’re such a drama queen,” we both burst into laughter. “He’s probably off the market. But a girl can dream, right?”

Ann’s face lit up with a smile. “Maybe he’s the nudge you need to get back into the dating scene. So, what’s the appeal?”

“I don’t really know much about him, just what Paul’s shared. I’m guessing he’s around twenty-eight or twenty-nine, tall, dark-haired, and has blue eyes.

“He made a splash with that fast food merger that hit the headlines a few years back.”

Ann set her wine glass down. “You noticed his eyes. That’s telling.”

“Is that the only thing you picked up on?” I chuckled. “It’s just a fleeting crush, and I’ll likely never cross paths with him again.” The idea unsettled me.

“I saw you stepping out of a car. Was that Paul giving you a lift?”

“No, it was him. We bumped into each other on my way here. It started snowing, and he was probably headed this way anyway.”

“He’s a gentleman. That’s a plus.”

“Enough about that. How’s Ted?”

Her face lit up. “Everything’s going great, and I love coming home to him. Remember I had my reservations?” I nodded in agreement. “I’m so content, Vee.”

“You two are a good match, and you’re both amazing.”

Once we were done, we headed for the train. Ann’s arrived first, leaving me to wait for mine.

It wasn’t long before Adam Stone and his captivating eyes invaded my thoughts, and I found myself wondering what he had seen when he looked straight into me.