Read Holding Her Close (Bits and Bytes, Book 0) (Bits & Bytes) for Free Online Page B

hated discussing his private life. “There's no girlfriend.”
    Scott stepped in. “This is Lorraine.”
    Zach bit back his surprise. She was using her full name? That seemed so...appropriate. Kind of bizarre for someone who had... He mentally shook his head, forcing the memory away. That was all in the past. He and Scott would talk later about surprises that made it difficult to maintain a poker face at dinner.
    Vance shook her hand. “We should head inside. I'd hate to keep you out so late you can't finish your homework.”
    Zach ’s hands clenched and he bit the inside of his cheek. He was seconds away from giving a notably unprofessional response. He knew the older man was rude, but really?
    Rae’s smile didn’t match up with the way her hand tightened on her purse . “It's all right. I don't usually work at night, but my people know how to get a hold of me.”
    “ Your people? What do you do, dear?” Selina asked.
    Rae unzipped the outside pocket on her purse and pulled out a small silver case. She plucked two business cards out and held them out in a small fan. “Financial and operations consultant.”
    Vance tucked the offered card into his jacket pocket. “Interesting. I didn't realize the unemployed got such fancy titles.”
    Rae's smile twisted but didn't falter. “Neither did I.”
    He was implying because she was a consultant, she was out of work? “You misunderstand.” Zach couldn’t keep the edge from his tone. It took most of his remaining restraint to keep from speaking through clenched teeth. “Lorraine is one of the most sought after names in the valley. Anyone worth the C in front of their title knows her name and knows she can make any budget work. A talent like that doesn’t tie herself to a single employer.”
    Vance’s jaw clenched.
    “That’s an impressive recommendation.” Selina stepped between Zach and Vance, gaze lingering on Rae for a moment.
    Scott cleared his throat. “She deserves it. I think our reservations are waiting?” He wrapped an arm around Rae’s waist again as they turned toward the restaurant. He shot Zach a glance, eyebrow raised.
    Zach shook his head and turned away from the unspoken question. What was wrong with him? An outburst like that wasn’t him at all. It was going to be a long night. Vance managed to work his way to the front of the group. The doorman greeted them with a nod, holding the smoked glass open.
    Zach gave the dimly -lit room a cursory glance. There wasn't a bench seat to be seen in the steak house. Burgundy tablecloths and soft candles decorated every table, accessorized by snifters and napkins folded to look like swans. Even though half the restaurant was full, the quiet chatter barely reached above the clang of silverware on porcelain.
    Years ago, when Scott's parents were the ones with the money and Zach only tagged along when his friend begged, the high -end restaurant would have intimidated him. Since then he'd learned to appreciate the indulgence; especially when there was a good reason to expense the bill.
    The focus of the conversation shifted to business as they were seated and ordered.
    “I was concerned to see your names in the news this weekend.” Vance draped his cloth napkin over his knee. “That's not the kind of image we like our executives to project. Reflects poorly on the company as a whole, you understand.”             
    Right, Scott had gone off at a trade show a couple of days ago. Zach bit the inside of his cheek. He didn't appreciate being lectured like a child about something so basic. He wanted to mention DM needed to get used to it. Scott’s reputation was built on that kind of bullshit and the fans ate it up. Too bad it wouldn't do him any good to argue. “Of course. We’ll keep that in mind in the future.”
    Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rae whisper something to Scott, who forced a smile and nodded back.
    He felt a twinge of jealousy and pushed it aside. Was that what it had been