“Forgive me, I seem to be forgetting myself.” Tom nodded at the restaurant hostess who had been lurking in the background, careful not to interrupt their conversation.
“Please follow me.” With gazelle-like grace, the hostess glided across the floor.
Her head cocked, Lisa sashayed after the hostess. Tom stepped aside, letting Janet go in front of him, and she could not help a warm, giddy feeling spreading in her chest. She certainly did not intend to get involved with Tom Wyman, but it sure felt nice to be the center of his attention.
“So, Janet, tell me more about yourself,” said Tom after they had ordered lunch.
“I’m not sure where to begin. I’m afraid I’m not that interesting.” Janet lowered her eyes, breaking away from Tom’s gaze. His eyes were like two black olives: dark, glistening, and unsettlingly sharp.
“Why, Janie, as usual, your modesty is getting the best of you!” Lisa pursed her lips. “Tom, do you know that Janie has spent the last four years at the DA’s office?”
“Oh?” Tom’s eyebrows shot up high. “What an interesting career choice. And may I ask what division you were in?”
“I was in the Investigation Division.” When Janet spoke of her former occupation as Assistant District Attorney, most people were either impressed or terrified – the latter were usually employed in the financial industry. There was one memorable occasion when Janet had mentioned her employment while being flirted with by a handsome financial type during happy hour, which resulted in the guy’s falling off his bar stool and promptly vacating the bar premises. But then there were plenty of occasions when her choice of occupation elicited accolades and admiration – those were mostly from members of senior citizen communities who were frequent victims of financial rogues whom Janet so diligently tried to catch. In either case, most people never went as far as inquiring about the specifics of her job, which made Tom’s pointed question surprising.
“Very impressive. I hear it requires a special transfer to get into Investigation, correct?”
“Yes.” Janet nodded. “I started with the DA right after law school. My first assignment was with the Trial Division, but I asked to be moved into Investigations, and my supervisor agreed to recommend me.”
“No doubt for exceptional performance.”
Janet blushed, unaccustomed to such keen interest in her work. “Well, I did contribute to several important cases.”
Tom’s pointed gaze travelled from Janet to Lisa. “Well, Lisa, it sounds like you hired a first-rate sleuth: a qualification that is bound to be an asset for employment with Bostoff Securities.”
Just as Tom finished his convoluted compliment, a waiter approached the table, carrying a bottle of wine.
“I believe this calls for a toast. Here’s to the latest addition to Bostoff Securities.” Tom raised his glass.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Janie.” Lisa raised her glass.
Janet eyed the wine hesitantly. Alcohol during lunch would most certainly be frowned upon at the DA’s office, but she was no longer at the DA’s office, and it was time to put her former employer behind her.
“Relax,” Lisa jeered, “it’s all right to have a sip with your boss.”
Janet picked up her glass.
“Welcome to the family, Janet.” Tom’s glass clinked against Janet’s and Lisa’s. “Forgive me if I sound too forward, Janet, but I do so much work for Bostoff Securities that I feel a part of the team.”
“Thank you, Tom.” Janet smiled. Perhaps she was being too guarded after all. This Tom Wyman was bound to be a decent fellow if he called his employer ‘family.’
The rest of the lunch was spent in gastronomical exploration as the waiter brought out one intricate dish after another. By the end of the two-hour meal, Janet felt the waistline of her skirt pinching. There was one good thing to be said about having a limited budget: it prevented one from overindulging, and if four-course lunches were de rigueur at Bostoff Securities, she would have to acquire formidable self-restraint.
“Ah, I’m stuffed.” Lisa leaned back in her chair, and Janet noticed that Lisa’s plate looked like it had been barely touched, while Janet’s was swept clean.
Tom checked his watch. “Wow, it’s after two o’clock. I hate to break up the party, ladies, but I’ve got to get back to the office. I am, after all, working on billable hours.” Tom grinned.
“Please, Tom.” Lisa waved her hand. “With the bill you sent me last month, I think you’ve fulfilled your quota for the rest of the year.”
“In the words of Hank Bostoff, there’s no such thing as too much money.”
“Yes.” Lisa nodded. “I’m constantly reminded of it by Jon. Hank Bostoff is the founder of the firm – he is the CEO,” Lisa explained for Janet’s benefit. “You haven’t met him because he only interviews the most senior people. I might as well tell you about all the big wigs. Jonathan Bostoff is Hank’s elder son. He is the company president.”
“Paul Bostoff is Hank’s younger son and the company’s COO, and Lisa’s soon-to-be fiancé,” Tom explained.
“Please, Tom, don’t jinx it!” Lisa smiled coyly. “But, getting back to business, Tom, it would be great if you could give Janet an overview of Bostoff Securities’ business. Do you think you could do that?”
“Certainly,” Tom replied. “It will be my pleasure. Shall we say eleven o’clock tomorrow?”
Lisa reached for her purse and leaned over to whisper into Janet’s ear, “See, he likes you.”
“Eleven is fine.” Janet nodded. If Lisa wanted to play matchmaker, Janet had no choice but to play along. She needed this job.
Cutting Ties (Book 2) (Piper Anderson Series) Page 22