Her Lover's Legacy

He sighed, hesitating.

“It’s on me,” she added.

He chuckled. “I’ll pay.”

“I tell you what. Let’s make it Dutch,” she countered. “That way no one will mistake it for being a date.”

“A date? Me and you?” Malcolm laughed. “Trust me. No one will make that mistake.”

Chapter 4

Gloria couldn’t wait to get out of the office. Despite the spacious size, it felt as if they were literally on top of each other and walking on eggshells. Dinner, she hoped, would relax Malcolm a bit more. She needed him to loosen up in order for him to be receptive to what she had in mind.

The Bamboo House was dark when they entered. The only lighting flickered from tiny wicks nestled in small red candleholders placed in the center of each table in sconces on the walls.

“Ah, Ms. Kingsley,” Samira, the hostess, greeted her. “So nice to see you again. I’m so sorry. I read in the paper what happened to Harmon. It was a shock, no?”

Gloria nodded while the small woman grabbed hold of her hand.

“How are you?” Samira asked with genuine concern. “I know we’re definitely going to miss seeing you two in here.”

Malcolm’s gaze shot to Gloria, his brows launched high. “You and my father came here often?”

“Often?” Samira chimed. “They came here two or three times a week with their noses buried in paperwork.” Then as if finally catching what Malcolm said, Samira dropped Gloria’s hand and turned her attention toward him. “Harmon was your father?” She gazed up at him. “Ah, yes. I see the resemblance now.” Her smile turned flirtatious. “You’re very handsome like your father.”

Malcolm smiled. “Thank you. You’re too kind.”

Samira glanced at Gloria and winked. “You better hold on to your heart with this one. He just might steal it.”

Gloria’s face burned; she had to touch it to make sure it hadn’t melted off.

Malcolm coughed, choking back his own laughter.

“This way,” Samira sang, grabbing two menus. “Will it be just the two of you?”

“Yes,” Gloria answered.

“Would you like your and Harmon’s regular table? It’s available.”

“Uh,” she said, stalling.

“That will be fine,” Malcolm answered, carefully keeping his eyes away from Gloria’s.

Gloria fell in line behind the hostess as she led them toward the back of the restaurant. It might have been her imagination, but she swore she felt Malcolm’s heavy gaze trained on the back of her head. Was he already regretting coming here with her?

Most likely.

“Have a good evening,” Samira said, setting the menus down on their table. “Your server will be with you shortly.”

Malcolm and Gloria thanked the hostess and slid into opposing sides of a large booth.

Gloria tried her best not to jump or react when Malcolm’s knees and legs bumped and brushed against her own. She needed to get it together before she looked like a Mexican jumping bean.

“Well, this is certainly cozy,” Malcolm said, finally settling into his seat. “I can see why this was your and Dad’s favorite spot.”

Gloria’s head snapped up. “What is that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged. “Nothing.”

“No,” she countered. Her eyes narrowed. “It definitely meant something.”

Malcolm met her gaze dead-on.

“Is there something you want to say to me?” she challenged.

Silence.

“Go ahead. What is it?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. Forget it.” He picked up his menu.

“No.” She snatched the menu from his hand and slapped it back down onto the table. “We need to have this out. Go ahead. Ask me.”

“All right, then,” he said, leaning forward. “Were you in love with my father?”

Gloria drew a deep breath despite the fact that she was expecting the question. Her shoulders squared while her back morphed into an iron rod.

Malcolm cocked his head. “Maybe you two got together for more than just…business dinners?”

She shook her head, disappointed in just how little Malcolm thought of his father and of her, for that matter. “I’m not going to lie,” she said evenly. “I loved your father.”

Malcolm’s jaw hardened.

“But I was not in love with him,” she clarified. “It was strictly business between us. He was my mentor and my hero.”

“Hero?” he spat. “Not too many employees think of their bosses as heroes.”

“Everyone that worked for your father did,” she retorted. “I believe you did, too, at one time,” she added as a sucker punch.

Malcolm’s chin came up as he sat up straight.

“Frankly, I can’t believe you’d think such a thing. I had nothing but the highest regard for your father. I respected him, myself and his marriage.” Even as she confessed, she watched waves of doubt wash over Malcolm’s stony features. It only angered her more.

“Why is it that you’re so determined to think the worst of your father? Surely it’s not because he didn’t support that one bill?”

“That one bill…” Malcolm clamped his mouth shut and forced himself to calm down. “You know what? I think coming here was a mistake.”

It was Gloria’s turn to cock her head and stare. “You have a habit of doing that.”