A Gabardi excerpt

Here is an excerpt from The Gabardi Baby, the story of Angelo Gabardi and Teddy (Theodora) Jones.

Enjoy!

 

Even more, the woman at the table worked for the company, although in what capacity he had no idea. She could have worked in any division and although he didn’t believe in signs, he had seen her three times in the past day.

At the least, she might be someone to pass a few minutes chatting to.

He pushed himself up from the table, pocketed his phone, and walked over to her table.

She looked up as he approached, and her eyes abruptly widened.

“Good evening,” he greeted her.

He waited, but she appeared to have gone mute.

He gestured to the empty chair. “Do you mind if I join you? For a moment?”

She looked around, and then back up at him.

She shook her head. “Sorry?” she said.

He put his hand on the back of the chair and assured her, “We have met before. Although?” He cocked one eyebrow. “It’s possible that you don’t remember.”

Her face flushed charmingly, and she said, “Oh, I remember.”

Then she clamped her lips together and watched him suspiciously.

She still hadn’t made the offer for him to join her, and he beckoned again to the chair. “Do you mind if I join you?”

She looked as if the idea were preposterous, but then she set her book down and said, “Sure. I don’t mind.”

Relieved he took the seat and noticed the book cover. It was not a novel as he’d assumed, but a book on corporate productivity.

Interesting. Was she hoping to work her way up in the company? Or was she already at a high level?

He held his hand across the table and said, “I’m Angelo Gabardi.”

She looked at him as if he was insane and said, “I know.”

That was something. There were no guarantees she would have known who he was, or which Gabardi he was, and he said, “And you are?”

She grimaced as if in apology. “I’m sorry. I’m Teddy. Teddy Jones.”

She took his hand and he squeezed it, liking the feel.

He said, “Teddy? As in the bear?” He racked his brain but he would have remembered a name like that.

“Theodora,” she clarified. “But only my parents call me Theodora.”

He smiled then, and she gave a tentative smile back. He noticed her glass was empty and gestured, “Can I order you another drink? Was it perhaps a gin and tonic?”

“It was lemonade and lime.” Her face flushed again. “But a glass of wine would be lovely. Just—whatever. I’m not fussed.” She waved her hand. “Thank you.”

He beckoned the waiter, ordered a scotch and water for himself, wine for her, then he sat back and forced himself to relax in the chair. Alexi, he thought, would be proud, even though Angelo had taken the easiest option. Of socialising with someone who worked at the firm.

He said, “So, Teddy. What brings you here to the Sevarg for dinner tonight?”

Her face tightened, then she pressed her lips together. “I am, ah, staying here.”

“Really? A special occasion?”

Her mouth pursed. “You could say that. There was a change in plan and I decided to stay anyway.”

He approved. “Like a mini-break in the city.”

“Something like that.” She gestured with her hands and admitted, “I’ve never stayed here before so I thought, why not? Why not treat myself?”

So, she was alone. Unless she was indeed married but needed time out, just as Alexi had suggested Angelo needed time out.

His glaze flicked over her hand but there were no rings on her fingers.

“Well, you could not have chosen a better hotel. My brothers and I have a soft spot for the Sevarg. We often come here to discuss matters, both business and family. It has a charming and relaxing sensibility to it.”

“Of course,” she said. “I imagine it must be good to get away from the corporate environment.”

“It is.” The waiter brought their drinks over and when they were in front of them, he said, “Which part of Gabardi Media do you work in?”

“Data analysis for brand management,” she said. “One of the print media teams.”

He nodded, impressed. “Have you been with the company long?”

“Coming up to five years,” she said.

“And you enjoy working for Gabardi Media?”

“I do. It’s a great company to work for and I lead a very good team.”

She was one of their team leaders? He hadn’t been sure of her age; somewhere in her thirties, he suspected, but possibly younger or even older. It was increasingly difficult to guess anyone’s age.

She said, “And what about you?”

He stiffened slightly, not presuming he would be talking about himself at all. “What about me?”  (end)