“Right.” I nodded. God, he probably wanted to eat already so he could get me out of there. I was an idiot to think I could act cool and aloof with clients when deep down, I was still a bumbling idiot. I quickly moved over to the table and sat. I wasn’t foolish enough to sit at the head of the table. Mr. Hail certainly looked like he was in charge, and his position was set in stone. Even with the small amount of time I’d spent in the building, I could see the man wasn’t one to be messed with.

It had me wondering why he needed company from an escort in the first place. Why didn’t he just have one of his friends over for dinner and a chat?

Whatever it was, it wasn’t my place to question his motives. I was there to do a job, and if Mr. Hail wanted to eat dinner with me, we would. Besides, it smelled amazing.

I jolted when a bowl was placed in front of me. I glanced down, and my mouth watered.

“Beef stroganoff,” Mr. Hail stated as he put his own bowl down and sat.

I smiled. I didn’t let it wither when he just stared at me, giving me nothing. Instead, I said, “Thank you. It looks and smells amazing.” I picked up my fork and took a mouthful, moaning as the taste exploded in my mouth. I opened my eyes, which I hadn’t realized I’d closed, to see Mr. Hail had been watching me still. He didn’t pick up his fork until I nodded and mumbled, “It’s great.”

He grunted and started eating. Silence rent the room except for our forks and the slight sound of munching. I really didn’t do well when things got quiet. In fact, I got more nervous. I felt like I needed to speak and make things comfortable, but I was fighting myself, unsure Mr. Hail was looking for someone to start dribbling shit about nothing in general.

So, I would sit there in silence.

I could.

I had to, because he certainly wasn’t saying anything.

Silence was good.

Oh, look over there to the row of floor-to-ceiling windows that I can jump out. I just have to move the transparent curtains. Why do people get see-through curtains? Wait, it looks like there’s a balcony. At least I won’t have to climb out a window.

Yep, silence was so much fun.

Well, what do we have here? There’s a dead plant sitting in a pot at the end of the row of windows. Maybe the silence killed it.