“Would it upset him if I had done it?”

“Family is everything to him, Claire. Never put work before his family. That’s lesson number two.”

“What’s one?”

“If you didn’t get it, Clarice, study the scene.”

“Have I mentioned lately that I hate you, Hannibal?”

“I can’t recall you meaning it,” I say smugly.

“He’s not serious about us working together, is he?”

“Sweetheart, if you want this account, you’ll have to draw your own conclusions. Unfortunately, I’m not in the business of helping the competition.”

“After all the phone calls.” Her voice is filled with frustration.

We enter the bistro, I ask for the table under Solis, and place a hand on the small of her back while we follow the hostess.

“I thought that by meeting me in person he’d just—”

“Fall for your enchanting personality and give you the account?” I finish.

“No, tell me what the fuck he’s looking for so I can give it to him.”

I nod. “Have you played chess?”

“A few times,” she says. “It’s too damn slow.”

The hostess seats us, the waitress comes by almost immediately and takes our drink order.

“Third and last lesson, Princess,” I say, as I look at the menu. “Learn to be patient. If you rush him, you’re going to lose him.”

“Why are you helping me?” she asks, as the waitress brings the bottle of wine I ordered and pours it into the glasses.

“May the best player win,” I toast, raising my glass.

“May the best player win,” she repeats, watching me thoughtfully.

Thirty-Seven

Claire

God, destiny, Karma, who knows exactly who is playing with me at the moment, but I can feel that some supreme force is having a blast at my expense.

When I arrived to visit Tony Gyles, I was prepared for everything. My bag contains several presentations, proposals, my portfolio, and even a present from the company. I’m always ready for the unexpected.

But this time I really have an unexpected curveball on my hands, and I’m having trouble processing. I’m good at knowing what the client needs and once upon a time, my former boss as well. In fact, three years ago, I could even read Mr. Archer’s mind.

I knew what he expected from the team and how I could be the one in charge of the company. It only took one meeting, his ideas, the client’s ideas, and I could work my magic. I knew his steps from afar. Funny, how I never realized how connected I was to him until now.

Just when I need that connection, I can’t even predict what he’s going to order. All I know is that he has the upper hand and I want his intel.

Did I think about stabbing him with a pen while Mr. Gyles said, ‘you two have to work together’?

Maybe.