Free The Executive's Decision by Bernadette Marie

flirty.
    “You’re in a cheery mood.”
    “Remember? I had pie.” She hoped reminding him about her dinner would take the edge off of him flirting back.
    “Sounds like a good time.” He cleared his throat. “Here’s what I need you to do.”
    He read off a list of items he needed her to follow up on. There were e-mails, letters, phone calls, and contracts to take care of. He needed some items faxed to him in L.A., others could wait, and some he’d need given to Peterson.
    “I’ll get this all taken care of,” she promised.
    “I know. By the way, how many times has my mother called you already?”
    “Twice so far. I guess she really enjoyed my dessert.”
    “It was a hit.”
    “She wanted to take me to lunch today.”
    He let out a breath. “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be. I have plans today, but we agreed on tomorrow. She said you wouldn’t mind if I took a long lunch.”
    “Who am I to argue? Regan, honestly I can call her and have her cancel if you…”
    “No. I look forward to it.” She laughed. “I figure it will give me some insight on you.”
    “I don’t know if I like that or not.” The distress in his voice made her want to meet his mother even more.
    “Do you have something to hide, Mr. Benson?”
    “Not a thing.”
    “Then I wouldn’t worry about it.” The flirtatious tone crept back, and she sat taller in her chair to at least look professional.
    “I won’t, then.” He let out a small laugh that disappeared into awkward silence. “So what plans do you have today? Never mind. Don’t tell me. I shouldn’t have asked.”
    “If there isn’t anything else, Mr. Benson, I’ll get to these right away.”
    “Thank you, Regan. By the way, I left something on my desk for you. I think you’ll find it’ll come in useful. I’ll call you later after I meet with the investor.”
    She hung up the phone and went straight into his office. On the top of his desk, beside his phone, lay a key. The keychain had her name on it. When she picked it up, she realized it matched the one he used in the elevator. Next to the key was a permit that would allow her to park in the building without having to pay.
    She’d been toying with him about the long trek from the parking garage. She certainly hoped he didn’t think she was complaining.
    Regan let go of her stiff professionalism and gave into a smile. Well, she’d take the permit. That would come in very useful and save her a lot of money, but she’d leave the key. It was his elevator. That was too private for her. Even though Zachary Benson continued to be on her mind, she couldn’t begin to take special gifts from him, no matter what they were.
    She’d remember to thank him for the parking permit.
     
    At noon, Regan met John Forrester on the corner for a hot dog from Frank’s cart. He was a gentleman, she decided when he offered to pay for her lunch, even though she’d invited him. They sat at a stone table, the fountains to their back, and the river in front of them.
    “Thank you for lunch,” she said as she took her first bite of Polish sausage. “Mmm, this is just what I wanted.”
    “My pleasure. It’s not very often a beautiful woman asks me to lunch.” He opened his soda and took a long drink. “How’s it going in L.A.?”
    “Zach’s not a fan of smog. Other than that, he has a full day of meetings and he’s working hard.”
    “Did he get the contract?”
    “He’s working on it. He is very secretive though. The investor doesn’t want his name on anything. At least until it’s all said and done, then Zach says he’ll want all the credit.”
    John nodded his head. “So to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”
    Regan liked John Forrester. He had a personality that was infectious, and you just wanted to be around him. She figured him to be in his early fifties and someone who had worked outside in the elements most of his life. His skin was tan from the sun and the lines that crossed his face showed experience,