Hidden Gem

Chapter 2 - The Third Wheel

I stretch my arms over my head after I complete the last cancellation call as I release a long sigh from my lips. This definitely was not fun for me, especially the call with Mrs. Smith.

She was a lady that was accustomed to getting her way at all times and she made sure I knew that. But Bradley was way too distracted to give her legal troubles the attention they needed right now, so it was tough luck for her. Of course I never told her that in those exact words, but whatever way I had attempted to fanagle it, she was just not having it. Hell, she may not even use our legal services again.

"Good riddance, I say." I mumbled to myself as I make notes in her file.

Realistically, she wouldn't stop using our law office and unfortunately we would cross paths again. Her love and admiration of Bradley Carmichael is what kept her coming back. I had to give it to him, he had charm up the wazoo. He could charm a fish into purchasing water from him.

I hear a soft knock at my door. I look up and see Miranda with a hot cup of coffee and a croissant.

"Would you like that coffee now? I overheard your last call and thought you could use some sustenance." Miranda offered.

The pleasant effects of my morning cappuccino had officially worn off arould an hour ago and I deeply appreciated Miranda's psychic abilities at this moment.

"Yes please, Miranda. Thank you!" I say with some desperation as I reach out for the coffee and croissant. "This is why you're my favorite."

"I won't let Mr. Carmichael know that he's dropped down in your office standings." She chuckles as she watches me devour the croissant. I know I really shouldn't eat three croissants in one day, but sometimes you just gotta indulge yourself.

"Anyway, I thought I should also let you know that Ms. Laurent will be coming in 30 minutes. She said her 11 o'clock fell apart." Miranda told me on her way out.

"Thanks for letting me know," I call out in between gulps of hot coffee. Chugging super hot coffee is a skill I picked up in college and it's been of great use to me in my current work life. I go into my desk drawer and pull out my most recent copy of the contract of the sale between Carmichael Ranch and Francois Bissett. I put my coffee down and grab the highlighter closest to me and begin flipping through the pages. I look for weak areas where there still might be room for renegotiation. I know that this current copy has hit all the sweet spots for Everly Carmichael, now we would have to discover where her eldest son's lies.

I was so engrossed with rereading the contract that when my deskphone started to ring, I almost fell out of my chair. I checked out the caller ID and saw that it was Bradley's extension.

"Hi, Boss. How can I help you?" I ask in my most pleasant tone of voice.

"Hiya Ruby. How was your morning?" Bradley asked, his voice laced with humor. He was certainly aware that it was awful.

"I've had an excellent morning actually," I say evenly, my voice not betraying the irritation that I legitimately felt.

"I'm relieved to hear that. Then you're free to compare notes on the latest contract?"

"Of course, Boss. I'll be there in a minute."

I straightened up the papers and place them back into their folder. I put a different colored highlighter into my front shirt pocket and make my way into Bradley's office.

When I get there, I can see that his desk is a mess, his copy of the contract strewn about. Also, he was not even sitting in his plush leather highback chair. He was at his office closet, clutching two different colored silk ties in front of the full length mirror.

"Ruby, can you help me out with this task first. Which tie looks best, the blue or the silver one?" Bradley asked as he held up both ties close to his collar.

He was wearing a gray suit that was tailored perfectly for his body. The blue tie matched his brilliant cerulean eyes but the silver one would look very stylish with his ensemble. Either tie would make him look amazing.

"I'd go with the blue one. It really brings out your eyes." I advise.

"Thanks Ruby, I was leaning that way too." He said as he placed the silver tie back into his closet. He threw the chosen tie around his collar and began tying a Windsor knot. That would take him a minute. I pull up a seat as I wait for him.

"So, any ideas how we're gonna play this?" I ask as I take a glance at the papers on his desk. It didn't look like he made any progress.

He slid into his chair and shrugged.

"I have a few ideas but nothing concrete. Eric is making this sale fairly difficult." He admits with some frustration creased on his brow.

"But you seem very motivated to sell, and if I know you, once you set your mind to something, you almost always achieve it." I encourage him.

Bradley gives me a genuine smile and it causes the butterflies in my stomach to flit and flutter about.

"Thanks Ruby, I'm actually very touched that you think that about me. I've always been considered the underachiever in the family. It's very nice to know that others view me differently."

Well... I actually kind of have to agree with his family, but only because most of the time Bradley lacks that ambition. But I didn't have the heart to burst his bubble and let it be.

Honestly though, he really could achieve anything he wanted.

"I am very motivated to close this deal. It's just that I really want-" then he paused and gave me shifty grin. "Never mind, it's silly."

"Come on, Boss! You can't leave me hanging like that! That's just rude!"

He chuckles and shakes his head.

"It's better if you didn't know. Especially after what you said about me. You're probably going to change your mind."

"Don't be ridiculous. I could never change my mind about you!"

Or my heart, but that was best to keep to myself.

He sighs and our eyes connect. I think he trusts me enough to tell me what he's so afraid of.

"Well, it's Valerie. She's the reason I want to close this deal so very much."

I could have guessed that. Is it a silly reason? No. But did I want to say its silly? Yes, yes I did. But I keep my lips sealed.

"I've dated so many women and to be honest, none of them make me feel what I'm feeling now. Valerie is so special, I've never met someone so amazing. She's so beautiful, smart, funny and I've never seen a woman so determined. The only thing that's between us is this damn Carmichael Ranch sale!" He stated as he thumped his desk with his fist.

"Apparently, she feels the same way about me... but she emphatically said that we could not date until the sale is complete. She cannot mix business with pleasure because of how hard she worked in her firm to get where she currently is. She feels it would ruin her reputation if she dated me during the negotiation phase."

"Yeah, I can see how that's possible." I reply, trying to make my voice sound as normal as I can.

From one view point I could totally understand Valerie. In my own legal career, I did feel that some clients and more of the chauvinistic lawyers treated me differently solely based on the fact that I am a woman.

But on the other hand, she could just be manipulating him into accepting a lousy deal and getting her client the best bargain ever.

I wanted to believe the latter, it would make hating her even more easier than it already was.

"Yeah, you get her point of view. There are some similarities between you two. It's just been tough to spend all this time with her and not act on our feelings. As soon as this deal is closed, I'm going on vacation and taking her with me! If only my brother wasn't such a d**k about this."

It was soul crushing to hear Bradley say those things about Valerie. I don't know why, but I had thought at some point Bradley would realize that we're a perfect match. Feeling that dream dissapate was hurtful. I really didn't know how to respond.

"Yes, your older brother is dick." I say with a nod and stiff smile. It seemed like the safest thing to say at the moment. I couldn't let Bradley see why I was so disappointed, especially after I practically begged him to tell me everything.

"Anyway, forget about him for a second. I hope you didn't bring lunch today." Bradley inquired.

"Nope, not enough time to pack a lunch and get the dry cleaning. I was gonna grab a sandwich from the place across the street." I tell him.

"Perfect! You're gonna have lunch with me at the country club today!" He says excitedly.

I want to feel as excited as him over this lunch, but I knew there had to be a catch.

"Ok, sure. You do owe me for picking up your dry cleaning. But is there any specific reason why you're taking me out for lunch today?" I ask.

Even though Badley and I are pretty friendly in the office, we weren't exactly "lunch buddies." In the five years I've worked for him, I can count on my one hand how many times he and I actually went out to lunch together. We could eat pizza or Chinese takeout at each other's desk, but us actually leaving the premises together and sharing a meal together was highly unusual.

Bradley lips pulled into self-satisfied grin.

"I found a way around Valerie's no dating rule. If you tag along, I can turn this into a 'business lunch' and enjoy her company in a relaxed setting." He revealed.

"Couldn't you guys go on a business lunch without me? Do I really need to be there?" I wonder aloud. I would rather watch paint dry.

"No, I've tried to schedule business lunch with her but she felt that it was too close to going on an actual date and refused." He explained.

"But this will be real business lunch, right? I don't want to be a third wheel on your first date together." I insist. That's the last thing on earth that I'd ever want to be.

"Yes, of course. It'll be like any other ordinary negotiation, except for the fact that we'll be eating an exquisite cut of steak as well." He reassured.

"I'm allowed to order a steak for myself?"

"You can order whatever you like off the menu."

"Could I even order dessert first?"

"Of course you can."

"Would your hoity-toity country club put up with that?"

"It's just lunch service, I'm sure they can accommodate your request. However, I don't think you can pull off such shenanigans with them during dinner or weekend service." He says with an amused smile.

I reluctantly nod my head.

"Ok, fine. I will help you with your lunch date business sneaky meeting thingy."

I really didn't want to, but what else could I say? If I didn't accept this invitation, I would just out myself as the bitter and jealous coworker that I actually am. This wasn't exactly the time to declare my love and implore him to choose me over Valerie.

"That's perfect. I think with the three of us working together, we will manage to create a deal where not even my brother cannot say no." He said with much hope.

Bradley's desk phone buzzed, Miranda's extension number lit up on the screen. Bradley hit the accept call butto .

"Mr. Carmichael, we have Ms. Laurent here for your appointment." Miranda's bell like voice chirped.

"Excellent, we will meet her at your desk." Bradley replied.

"I guess it's showtime..." I say without any enthusiasm.

"I would call it 'teamwork' time." He said as he took one last glance in the mirror before heading for the door.

"You're such a cornball." I reply with a chuckle as I follow him out.

We meet with Valerie at Miranda's desk. And my heart sinks. She looks fantastic. She's wearing a navy blue Chanel power suit that emphasizes her great figure. Her auburn hair is in intricate braided bun atop her head, which accentuates her swan like neck. I can see her emerald eyes appraising Bradley's tall form as they flicker with interest.

"Bon jour Bradley and Ruby. You both look well." She greets cheerfully. "I hope your morning was better than mine."

Her French accent is slight but present. It definitely adds an air of elegance to her already well-put-together frame.

"I'm sad to hear that you did not have a good morning," Bradley replied. "But perhaps there's something I can do about making the rest of your day better?"

"Well, of course you can. Have you and your family changed their mind about our latest offer? That would truly brighten my day." She told him with anticipative look.

"Oh I wish, but my older brother is convinced that you're attempting to rip us off." Bradley responded with a joking tone to his sexy voice.

"I assure you, that this is not the case!" She said with a giggle.

"Oh, I know." Bradley said with a knowing look. "You're really just trying to get into my pants. But like I've told you several times now, at least buy me dinner first."

Valerie burst out laughing.

"Oh, Bradley Carmichael. You are going to make my life difficult aren't you?" She told him as she shook her pointer finger at him.

It was kind of painful to watch them flirt so naturally with one another. There was definitely chemistry between them.

Miranda and I looked at each other with the same look. We both felt awkward witnessing this.

Miranda cleared her throat loudly.

"Excuse me, Mr. Carmichael. Wasn't there a reservation that you needed to be on time for?" She gently reminded him.

I threw a grateful glance her way.

"Ah yes. I hope you brought your appetite, Val." Bradley told her.

"What's going on here? I thought I made it quite clear that for now, everything is strictly business between us." Valerie expressed to him in loud whisper.

"This is business, Ruby and I will be taking you out to my country club for a business lunch and we can renegotiate details over a bottle of Zinfandel." He said easily as he placed his hand on the small of her back.

Valerie's stiff stance relaxed into his hand when she heard I would be tagging along.

"Well, that sounds lovely. I am actually ravenous." She admitted as he guided her out of the office.

I trailed after them not looking forward to the next few hours. I already know this will be some type of twisted torture.