Dinner Date

-KENZIE-

I chewed on the end of the pencil while zoning out in Wyatt's meeting. My mind was very scattered since Caleb dropped me off at home a few days prior.

I looked up and caught Wyatt's eyes on me.

He smiled slightly and I looked away. I knew I had been caught not paying attention.

Thankfully the meeting was coming to an end.

"You look like you're about to die of boredom," Wyatt whispered.

"I am."

"You realize you were supposed to be taking notes, right?"

"Sorry. I don't know what's going on with me. I can't concentrate on anything."

"Why is that?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. Wyatt, please watch your son. Selma seems like a nice person and I don't want her to end up hurt the way I did."

He turned to me, "Why? What did he do?"

"Nothing. But he told me he misses me. And it was just a really awkward moment."

Wyatt's jaw clenched, "I'll speak to him. He shouldn't put you in that sort of situation."

"It's not that. I don't want Selma ending up in the same situation I ended up in."

"I know. He needs to stop his crap now. At his age and he's still cheating. It's ridiculous."

I raised my brows, "Really? I figured he's just following in your footsteps."

He glared at me, "I don't cheat. Every woman I get involved with is well aware that I'm not looking for anything serious. It's different."

"My point is neither of you can settle down, Wyatt. That's all I was saying."

He frowned and looked away, "How did this become about me?"

I shrugged, "I don't know.  All I'm saying is that maybe his commitment issues stem from your commitment issues."

"I do not have commitment issues."

I scoffed, "Sure, you keep telling yourself that." I got to my feet to leave the boardroom.

"Kenz."

"Yeah?" I turned back to him.

"What are you doing tonight?"

"Uh, what? I'm going to be at home?"

"Dinner?"

I frowned, "What? You're asking me to go out to dinner with you?"

"Yes. Why not?"

"Is that really a good idea?"

"Why would it not be a good idea?"

"You're my boss."

He shrugged, "Is there some universal law that I'm unaware of that says employees shouldn't go to dinner with their boss?"

"I think there is."

"Stop making things awkward because we had sex a few years ago."

My eyes widened at his brash choice of words. He smirked smugly.

"Fine. I'll go to dinner with you. But please don't read too much into this."

"I won't read into anything. We'll go straight from work."

"Shouldn't I go home to change clothes?"

"Why? You look great."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him, "Are you planning on staying in here for the rest of the day? Or should we go back to the office?"

He got to his feet and followed behind me as we returned to his office.

-KENZIE-

I was sitting in the restaurant with Wyatt feeling awkward.

This dinner felt far too much like a date for my liking.

"Kenz, relax."

"What? I looked up from the table.

"You look tense and uncomfortable."

"Sorry. I guess I am a bit tense." I glanced around, looking at the other tables, this was clearly a romantic spot. The lighting was dim and the tables had red velvet clothes over them. Each table had a rose on it.

"Do you not like this place?"

"It's not that."

"So what is it then?"

I sighed, "Nothing. It's just that I don't feel like this is the appropriate place to take me to dinner."

"Why not? You're overthinking things."

"Yes." I admitted with a small smile, "I do that a lot."

"I remember."

I took a sip of wine and looked around again. I felt like I was on a stage under a spotlight with Wyatt watching me. My brain blanked and I couldn't think of a single thing to say to him.

"Are you enjoying working at Grimes Enterprises?" He asked suddenly.

"Yes. When you're not being a dictator, that is."

He laughed, "It comes with the territory. Listen, I know you said you don't want to move but I would prefer if you were closer to work. You don't have to move into the suburbs, but at least think about one of the company suites."

I frowned, "I'm sorry, the what now?"

"Company suites. We have apartments. There are a few open that are closer to work."

"I'm trying to save as much as I can. It would only be an unnecessary expense to move into a flashy place."

"What are you saving for? And no, the employees get great packages that include the perks of an apartment. Normally it's only after six months with us."

"Six months? I'm not even close."

"Close enough. You've signed a contract. Think about it?"

I nodded, "Okay, I will think about it."

"Perfect. I can take you to see the place tomorrow during lunch."

I took another sip of wine, "Thank you."

"You never answered me. What do you need to save up for?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe to study. Or maybe to open an art gallery."

"An art gallery," he nodded thoughtfully, "That could be a great investment."

"Well, you know business better than I do, so I'll take your word on it."

"What was it you wanted to do in high school? I recall having a conversation about it beside the pool."

{PAST}

I stretched my legs at the edge of the pool, dipping my toes into the water. I had a stack of papers beside me.

"What's all this?" Wyatt asked as he sat beside me."Oh, I'm going through career options."

He picked up the papers and paged through them, "Art. Fashion design?" He looked over in surprise.

I laughed, "Yeah, that's definitely not at the top of the list."

"What is?"

"Maybe going into something with food. A restaurant or something."

"What do you want to do? You can't go into a career you don't love."

I shrugged, "I don't know. I guess I haven't thought about it enough to know what I really enjoy."

"You still have time to decide."

"I kind of want to do something that makes a difference. But that probably sounds silly, careers are supposed to bring in money. And I want to do something like open an orphanage. Or a homeless shelter."

"I think that's amazing. Money makes the world go round, but sometimes all the money in the world can't fill the void."

{PRESANT}

"I wanted to do charity."

He nodded thoughtfully, "Ah, that's right, I remember now."

My phone began to ring and it wasn't a number I recognized so I answered with caution."Hello? Kenzie Middleton speaking."

"Miss Middleton, this is the hospital. We have you listed as the contact for Karina Middleton. She's been in an accident and we need you to come in."