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  She scoffed. “Hardly. I helped peel the potatoes and boiled the water.”

  Becky, sitting beside her, snickered.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have any of my mom’s cooking talents.” She added.

  “That’s not true dear,” Her mom defended her. “She makes the best chocolate cheesecake.” She told Jeff.

  Charlie pulled a face. “My only cooking talent. No-bake cheesecake.”

  “Chocolate cheesecake, huh? You have to make it for me some time.” He said to her, his eyes frankly caressing as they rested on her.

  In front of her parents and friends, she didn’t mind his obvious affection. But she didn't want to give her parents the wrong impression. She and Jeff were just casually dating, she didn't want her parents, especially her mom, to think it was any more serious than that, not at this early stage. But she knew they were anxious for her relationship with Jeff to work out.

  “Grandfather, should you be up?” Ryle walked into his grandfather’s Wateridge study to see him at his large imposing desk, looking over some papers.

  “I’m not an invalid.” Marcus dismissed. “When did you get in?”

  “Just now. Your whole staff is running around, setting up.” Ryle commented. “Are you up for a party?”

  “It’s a small get together with a few friends.” Marcus said. “But you’re stalling, boy. Come, tell me about Linwood.”

  “It’s interesting.” Ryle said, thinking of Charlie Brison.

  Marcus snorted. “That tells me nothing.”

  He was sure he wouldn't be telling his grandfather anything he didn't already know.

  “The people at the Linwood plant are hard-working and dedicated. There’s a lot of knowledge and talent there. And their passion for their work is contagious.” He said. Especially Charlie, he added to himself. He could watch her work all day. Actually, he could watch her all day, regardless of what she was doing.

  “So what are you doing there?”

  “I’m doing cleanup duty with the maintenance crew.”

  “Starting from the ground up, huh? Good plan.” Marcus said. His eyes, the same azure blue as his grandson’s, albeit faded, twinkled in amusement.

  Ryle shrugged, he didn’t mind providing amusement to the old man, even something as small as this. “It gives me a chance to float around different areas and observe.” He said. “But in all honesty, I don’t have the education or the knowledge to do much else at that plant.”

  “Hmm…I wouldn’t say that.” Marcus said dryly. “If you wanted to, proper education or not, you could step in there and show them a thing or two.”

  “You’re saying that because you’re biased.”

  “I’m saying that because I know you.” The old man corrected.

  Ryle spent part of the afternoon playing chess with his grandfather. In the evening, there was a small dinner party for a couple of dozen of his grandfather’s friends. Ryle had no qualms about mingling with the guests.

  “Ryle,”

  Ryle turned to see Vera Stewart standing beside him at the bar. “Vera.”

  “It’s been a long time.” She said, her eyes sparkling as she smiled at him.

  “Yeah.” Ryle murmured, and leaned toward her to kiss her on the cheek.

  Vera was the granddaughter of a family friend. Ryle knew her since they were teens. In those summers, when Ryle was in Chicago, he had spent his days at the country club or at the yacht club. Vera was often at the country club, usually playing tennis or riding. She was always very shrewd and precocious and they had lots of fun together. He remembered all those lazy summer days, when they found some secret place to hook up. They were both fifteen that summer, and Vera was a virgin, but she learned quick. Ryle had a girlfriend back in Manhattan, but summer were the days when they were open to anything. During those summer days, they often sneaked away to some remote area of the country club and had sex. Other than sex, they liked spending time together, playing tennis, talking about school and everything else. For several years, they hooked up whenever Ryle was in town.

  The last time he saw her was eleven years ago, at a memorial held for his mother. They were both nineteen and Vera was growing up to

  be an extraordinary beauty. She looked more beautiful now than ever; tall, elegant and sophisticated.

  “So, I heard you’re a big shot architect now.” Vera said.

  “Where did you hear that?” Ryle asked lazily.

  Vera shrugged. “You’re the only one who didn’t get into the family business.”

  “Let me guess, grandfather?”

  Vera grinned.

  “What are you up to?”

  “I went through law school as I said I would and joined the family business, running the law department.”

  “Good for you.” He smiled. He knew she would do well.

  “Are you here for a long visit?” She asked him.

  “Just a day.”

  “You know, we should get together, for old times,” She said.

  Ryle’s eyes dipped to her low cut neckline. “We should.” He agreed.

  It had been more than a month since the last time he had sex. Although there were several very good looking women at PAL, he didn’t feel right getting involved with them. He would rather stay away from any entanglement at PAL. Of course, there was one exception. Charlie Brison. But she was strong willed and strong minded, and he didn’t think she would give in that easily.

  “Maybe you can show me the gardens.” Vera said, open invitation in her eyes.

  Ryle laughed softly. “We’re a little old now to be fucking in nooks and crannies.”

  “Maybe.” She laughed.

  Ryle drove Vera home later that night. Vera invited him up to her penthouse condo. He spent the night with her.

  Charlie arrived early at the plant on Monday morning. Taking her exercise bag with her, she headed straight toward the fitness center. It was six a.m. in the morning, hopefully she wouldn't run into Ryle Sullivan; she thought to herself. But as she walked up to the running track, she found her eyes unconsciously sweeping the mezzanine, looking for his tall imposing figure. She sighed when she didn’t see him. Whether the sigh was relief or disappointment, she couldn’t be sure.

  Clipping on her iPod and putting in the earbuds, she was able to jog several laps without any interruptions. The swimming pool was brightly lit, with the one-way glass windows that looked out to the surround woods. The cool water felt refreshing after her workout. She did a dozen laps in the Olympic size pool before she showered and changed for work. On her way back to the office, she stopped by the cafeteria to pick up breakfast.

  Jeff’s office was in the same hangar as hers, but far away from hers. Jeff often came in early as well. Walking along the lower level, she glanced up as she walked passed Jeff’s office. She was not surprised to see him there, already bending over his computer, working.

  Several people called out to her in greeting as she made her way up to her office. Charlie’s own office included a little meeting area. She walked past the outer office where Julie and Karen’s desks were.

  She had settled into her chair to read her e-mail when Jeff showed up at the doorway.

  “Good morning.”

  “Good morning.” She said, returning his smile.

  “What time did you get in?”

  “Six.”

  He whistled, “I can’t get myself up that early.” He grinned.

  She smiled. “My parents are always up by five-thirty. I’m used to it.”

  “Did you go to the fitness center?” He asked.

  “Yes. I swam my laps.” She murmured. “What about you? Did you get a chance to go out for a ride before work this morning?”

  “Yeah, just around the pathway.” Jeff said.

  Jeff was an avid cyclist. The employee housing, where he lived, backed onto a park with a pathway. Jeff spent most mornings on that path, cycling. It was because of the path that he didn’t want to move away from the employee housing. After a yea
r at PAL, Jeff decided to stay on permanently. He had talked about looking for a new place, and had even asked Charlie to go with him to look at some houses. This was before they started dating. He couldn’t decide on any of the houses because he wanted to look for something close to a cycling path.

  “Do you want to go have dinner after work tonight?” He asked her.

  “Sure. How about eight?”

  “Eight’s good.” He grinned. “I’ll see later.”

  Charlie spent the morning writing reports. It was closer to lunch when she finally made her way to Bay 6. The rest of her team was already there. She recognized most of the support staff that was helping in Bay 6, including Ryle. She was aware of his presence as soon as she walked up to Bay 6. She had to suppress an inner trembling as she met his eyes. He was looking back at her directly, a relaxed look on his attractive face.

  While Charlie and her team worked, the support staff helped with whatever needed to be done, most of which were menial chores, including finding tools, lifting things and cleaning up. For some reason, it was hard for Charlie to concentrate. She was aware of Ryle standing just a few feet away, watching her. And that unnerved her.

  She slipped in under the hydraulic systems to have a better look at a troublesome valve. She was surprised her hands were steady as she checked out the hydraulic systems; and that she was able to hold the tools without trembling.

  “Can you pass me the spanner?” She asked, reaching out her hand for the next tool. The tool was handed to her, and there was a momentary brush of strong fingers against her palm. It left a tingling feeling and her pulse gave a jerk. “Thanks.” She muttered.

  “No problem.” Ryle answered.

  She shouldn’t be surprised it was Ryle, and yet, she was still surprised by how his touch, even when she didn’t know it was him, made such an impression on her senses. She took a deep breath before refocusing and loosening the relief valves.

  Working with Ryle nearby was a strangely unnerving experience for Charlie. When he was near, she could barely concentrate. It took effort to ignore his presence and focus on her work. And she felt she was being watched, even when she wasn’t looking at him. It shouldn’t affect her, but it did. It was not the first time someone at work was interested in her, and in all honesty, it won’t be the last. But none had such effect on her before. Not even Jeff. So why should Ryle be different?

  So he was incredibly attractive; there was something very sexy in the way he moved, so cool and confident; the way he talked; even the way he looked at her was arousing.

  Ryle enjoyed watching Charlie work. She seemed so calm and confident, her voice as smooth and warm as she was. And when she laughed, the sexy infectious sound gave him the craziest urge to grab her and kiss her.

  She led her team trying to solve the current problem so adeptly that he couldn’t help but admire her. Nothing seemed to deter her; and she remained composed. Composed except when their eyes happened to meet. He saw the way her eyes would brighten, almost like a deer caught in headlights. For several moments, there was surprise and some other emotions in her eyes, and then she seemed to close it like a shutter, and she was all business-like again. It was those moments that he knew she was not as indifferent to him as she wanted him to think.

  He saw the way her hands trembled when his touched hers by accident. Whether she wanted it to be or not, she was as aware of him as he was of her. He gained some kind of satisfaction from that.

  It was almost one o’clock when Charlie and her team finally broke for lunch. Supporting Charlie’s team gave Ryle an advantage to be near her. Although she was often surrounded by members of her team, he managed to fall in line behind her at the cafeteria, which took some maneuvering without being too obvious. Walking into the cafeteria with her team, various people, men and women, walked up to greet her. She seemed popular and he saw respect when others talked with her.

  She seemed to be doing a pretty good job of ignoring his presence behind her in line, except for the sideway glances she gave him which told him she knew he was there.

  “You seem to know a lot of people here.” Ryle commented, watching as she picked up a tray and some utensils.

  “Yes.” She answered shortly.

  “How long have you worked here?” He asked. He picked up a tray, utensils and followed her down the line.

  She looked like she wasn’t about to answer him. She was busy studying the beverages in the cooler compartment. She finally selected a mixed vegetable and fruit juice and glanced at him.

  “I’ve worked at PAL for fourteen years if I include the years I did part-time and summer jobs.” She told him.

  “Fourteen years, wow; you don’t look old enough.” He teased.

  She gave him a cool look but didn’t take the bait. Instead she moved on without answering. He grabbed a drink without looking at it and followed her.

  “How long have you been flying?” He asked.

  She shrugged, “About fourteen years.”

  “And how old were you when you started?”

  She sighed, “Fourteen.”

  “That would make you twenty-eight.” He grinned, getting the answer after all.

  “Wow, you can add.” She said sarcastically. “Did you put that in your resume?”

  Ryle laughed, amused. “I should, shouldn't I? I'm sure it'll impress some big wigs.”

  Again she didn’t answer him, but moved up to the food counter to smile at the woman behind the counter. “Hi Rita, can I get a plate of organic pasta with a side of salad please?”

  “Coming right up, Charlie.” Rita answered with a smile.

  Ryle picked the veal parmesan with pasta.

  “Are you a vegetarian?” He asked, noting the choices on her tray as he followed her to the dessert section.

  “Why do you ask?” She asked.

  “Your lunch choices seem to indicate that you are.” He pointed out lightly.

  “Oh,” She muttered, glancing down as if she just realized it. “No, I’m not.”

  She paused in front of the desserts and chose two plates: a slice of field berry pie and a piece of tiramisu.

  “And you like sweets.” He murmured, watching her.

  “You’re very observant.” She mocked and walked off to pay.

  He grinned. Despite her sarcasm, he noticed the sparkle in her eyes; and it was not annoyance. She paid and walked away towards the table where her team sat down. Ryle paid for his lunch and tried to catch up with her so he could sit down next to her. But unfortunately a few others had joined the table at the same time and sat down beside her. Ryle had no choice but to sit a couple of seats away.

  “Hey Ryle,” Karen, Aria and a couple of their friends seemed to have came out of nowhere and surrounded him, sitting down beside him and across from him.

  “Hey,” He gave them a friendly smile. He noticed they were dressed especially nice today. Aria wore a short skirt that showed off her shapely long legs. Karen and Ally both wore fitted dresses that molded to their sleek petite frames. Emily’s trendy top was daringly revealing.

  “Are you busy this Saturday?” Aria asked.

  “Some of us from work are going to the Blue Bar.” Karen told him.

  “They have a live band playing on Saturday nights.” Emily said.

  “Do you want to join us?” Ally asked. “It’ll be really fun.”

  Since he arrived at PAL, there had been no shortage of invitations. But although they were pretty and nice, he wasn’t interested in getting involved with them, even casually. Despite what he told Logan, he didn’t feel right about getting involved with anyone at PAL; with the exception of Charlie. She kept coming up in his thoughts. And that was happening more and more frequently.

  Ryle glanced towards Charlie, but she was in a deep discussion with several people sitting around her. One of them was a guy in his mid-thirties, handsome, clean cut, smart, and he seemed extra attentive to Charlie. Ryle had seen them talking together before and he wondered if that was the kind o
f guy she liked. From the way the other guy was looking at her when he thought no one else aware of it, it seemed like they might share something more than just a co-worker relationship.

  Heh. Maybe Jack wasn’t so right after all. Or maybe Charlie was just very discreet when it came to her private relationships.

  “I’ll see you tonight?” Jeff said softly so no one would hear.

  “Yes.” Charlie smiled, agreeing.

  He gave her a grin and walked off in the direction of his office with a couple of others.

  Charlie continued on her way back to Bay 6.

  “Who was that?” Ryle fell into steps beside her, matching his long casual strides with hers.

  Charlie almost laughed at his audacity. “That’s really none of your business.” She replied without looking at him.

  “Are you two dating? Is he your boyfriend?”

  This time she did turn to look at him, shooting him a cold look that was meant to put him in his place. But instead he grinned.

  “Okay, dating but not boyfriend; Got it.”

  Charlie nearly stumbled; she was so surprised by his deduction. How did he do that? She wondered, trying to keep her composure and not giving any merit to his conclusion.

  “So, do you want to go to the Blue Bar with me on Saturday?” He asked her.

  “I’ll be busy.” She answered shortly. She had heard part of the conversation when Karen and her friends surrounded him at the table. And from the way they talked, he had probably gone out with them before. Why that knowledge bothered her, she couldn’t say.

  “How about Sunday?”

  “Definitely busy.”

  “All right,” He glanced down at her as if studying her. “Why don’t you pick a day when you’re free to go out with me?”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “Can’t you take no for an answer?”

  Ryle grinned, his azure eyes twinkling as he met her eyes for a moment. “Not from you.”

  She paused to look at him. “I’m going to be honest with you, Ryle.”

  “Yeah?” He stopped, meeting her eyes.