maybe it's all that we needed

“I wish you’d come home more often baby.” Mom said, smiling at me from the computer screen as I gave her a smile I didn’t give anyone.
“I come home every Sunday for dinner.” I reminded her. She shrugged.
“Not enough. I have a big house and no more children and only two grandchildren who hardly ever come over.” She pouted and I groaned.

“How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t need more grandchildren. Sometimes two is as many as someone gets.” I reminded her.
“Unacceptable. I pushed out 8 children. The least you all could do for me is have your own. I had a big family for a reason.” She said seriously. I shook my head because she had a big family that she ended up having to raise on her own. I wasn’t going to do that to any woman even if there was one on the earth that would interest me for longer than a few moments.
“How about I just buy you a boat?” I offered, making mom laugh.
“I have no need for a boat.” She shook her head. “Don’t you have work to do? Does that fancy office pay for itself now?” She asked, folding her arms.
“I have a meeting in a few minutes yes.” I agreed. “I’ll see you on Sunday.”
“Too long.” Mom said simply before kissing her screen and winking before logging off. I smirked and took a sip of my coffee as my assistant came into the room.
“Mr. Trenton.” He said with a wobbily voice that irritated the hell out of me. I didn’t say anything, just rose a brow. “Um, the associates from BLANK are here about your new headquarters.” He said quickly.
“I should hope so.” I replied, since I didn’t accept people who weren’t punctual. I could have any architect design my building, people who weren’t on time weren’t worth my money.
“Should I send them up?” I sighed since this was my fourth assistant this month and already I was sick of him.
“Obviously. The conference room please.” He nodded and I shook my head before pressing a button on my phone.
“HR offices.”
“Call the temp agency. I’m going to need a new assistant. Try to find someone slightly competent this time.”
“Yes Mr. Trenton.” I held my head in my hand a moment, sighing before standing up and grabbing my suit jacket, sliding my arms through it and walking towards the conference room where 2 men and a woman were already setting up.
“Mr. Trenton.” One of the men reached out his hand and I shook it. He was shorter than I but not short, greying hair but kind eyes. I wasn’t sure I trusted kind eyes. “I’m (BLANK AGAIN..her boss?) Such an honor to be here.” I gave him a curt nod and sat at the head of the table as the woman opened her laptop to connect it to the projecting screen behind it.
“I hope we can do business.” I replied, flicking my eyes to the other younger man who seemed to be either checking out the woman, or looking at me nervously.
“We have a wonderful presentation for you. We want Trenton headquarters to be everything you want it to be.” I rose a brow at the man.
“What I want it to be is functional as soon as possible. “ I replied. Did I care about the design? Yes, but it certainly wasn’t the most important part. I glanced towards the woman who was intently looking at her computer screen, her lips pursed as she thought.
“Oh excuse me.” The older man said. “This is senior executive Adam Jennings and his junior partner Sophia (BLANK). He replied. I shook the younger mans hand. Weak shake I might add but kept my eyes on the woman. She lifted her head finally and smiled as she reached out her hand.
“Hello Mr. Trenton.” She replied, shaking it more firmly than her senior associate and almost knocking me off balance with her smile, which was genuine in a world of overly fake.
“Nice to meet you.” I said softly, holding on to her hand for a second longer than I was used to, my hand completely enveloping her small one but she didn’t seem intimidated in the least. She just nodded, her eye still on me, not seeming at all intimidated which was impressive.
"Sophie, the presentation." the older man urged with a tight smile on his face. Jeez. He needed to calm down.
"Right." she mumbled, sliding a pair of glasses out of her pocket and setting them on her face while she typed on her laptop, projecting to the screen on the wall. I noticed her mouth open but before she could speak, the younger man did first.
"The first thing we want to show you is how the building we designed would look into the existing landscape." He started, pointing at the volumetric 3D which lookd to me like just a giant cube. Huh. The next picture was a more accurate representation of the building which calmed me a little. The graphics were extremely well done.
"We got inspired by what the building is going to contain, its use, its owner." the younger man said and I tried not to roll my eyes. I wasn't a fan of people who kissed my a.ss.
"As you can see there aren't many colors, it's mostly glass which will reflect the clouds when it's day, it seemed appropriate since it'd be Trenton airlines headquarters." The woman interjected, showing an animation of the building from day to night and making me perk back up again. "But when the sun goes down and it's dark the building lights up showing the color of your company, in an elegant subtle way."
"I like the design." I said seriously. "But I want it to be mostly functional." Knowing that a lot of architects sometimes forgot that part when designing.
"We thought about that too, of course." she nodded before focusing back on the screen, going through 3D models and floor plans that were great, not perfect, but better than the other firms I'd explored. I was a picky man. Adam seemed almost cocky, explaining the science to me as if I was a child and not a famous plane desiner. I knew engineering for fu.cks sake. Then it was the older mans turn, with the economical side which was boring but reasonable.  When the presentation ended I nodded, worried again that maybe I hadn't found the right people. I wanted something specific, I wasn't sure what my issues were but I knew I had them. I shook all of their hands and watched them leave before noticing a notebook on the table. I read through the quickly written script getting more and more intrigued.
"You left your notes here Miss Knight." Isaid quietly. "Interesting."
"Oh. Yeah, right." she mumbled and reached them for them clumsily, stuffing them into her bag. "They're just ideas I got while discussing the project in front of you." she told me apologetically.
“Why didn’t you mention them?” I asked, staring down at her. She rubbed her lips together as she settled the papers in her bags.
“I didn’t want to interrupt Adam.” She said finally, her eyes turning back to mine with no hesitation at all which I liked. I couldn’t decide whether her eyes were green or gold but either way it suited her.
“They were good ideas.” She smiled.
“I know.” She replied, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“You missed an opportunity by not bringing it up during the meeting.” I replied, wondering exactly what a Junior Executive did at her company. She narrowed her eyes a little and I couldn’t decide if she was embarrassed or annoyed with me. Not that it mattered but she didn’t exactly wear her emotions on her face like most women. “Are you opinions not valued?” She blinked.
“I-No I’m sure that they are.”
“So then why are you a Junior Executive? Why are you not in charge of my building instead of the other man?”
“You mean Adam?” She blinked. “He’s above me.”
“Why? Because you’re a woman?” I asked seriously, knowing that some companies still believed in antiquated ideas like women couldn’t run businesses.
“What? No.”
“So why then? You’re obviously just as smart, and you knew how to turn the meeting around when I was about to fall asleep.” I replied.
“I’m….waiting on a promotion.” She replied. “I should be next in line to-“
“I’ll see that you get it.” I replied seriously, before turning to leave. For some reason the woman followed me.
“Excuse me? Mr. Trenton. What did you mean by that?” I stopped walking and looked down at her.
“Was I unclear?” I asked she narrowed her eyes again and I wondered once more if she was annoyed or simply didn’t know what was going on.
“No. But I don’t work for you.” She said, her voice steadier than most peoples would be when saying something like that to me.
“You do now. That is if your company wants my business. I want you in charge of my building Ms. Knight.” I replied. She blinked.
“Just like that?”
“You set up the presentation, you fixed the problems I had with the design in your notes. It’s not perfect by any means but I think we’ll work fine together. I want to start next week. I’ll let your boss know.” She stared at me for a moment and then nodded.
"Perfect. Thank you for giving us this chance, I'll see you next week." she smiled brightly and shook my hand, her whole demeanor looking bright and bubbly. I liked it. I nodded and turned to walk away, heading to Heather's office.
"Go to lunch with me?" I asked, peeking my head in.
"Too busy boss man." She winked and I groaned.
"Buzzkill."
"Slacker." I smirked and walked to the elevator, thinking I'd just go across the street and catch up on some paperwork I'd been avoiding. I hated paperwork. I walked into the restaurant, thinking I'd just get my usual table but saw Miss Knight sitting alone in a booth.
"Are you here alone?" I asked her once I was close enough. She nodded.
"I'm having lunch before going back to work. Do you want to join me?" I blinked at her, surprised at the offer but pleasantly.
"Yes I'd like that."
"I already ordered." she said next and I turned, stopping a waiter to ask for my regular lunch order.
"Where are the other two men?" I asked, turning back to give her my full attention. She straightened in her seat, looking as if she was turning on a professional mode inside of her. Interesting again.
"Probably having lunch somewhere else." she shrugged. "I like having lunch alone, it helps clearing my mind."
“Should I leave?” I asked, smirking a little before she widened her eyes as she sipped her water.
“No! Oh god I didn’t mean you…I mean usually…” she shook her head. “Why are you alone anyways?”
“I enjoy being alone for the most part.” I replied. “Plus my usual lunch date turned me down.” I added, setting my phone next to me but setting it on silent since I was with company and found it rude to not give your attention to the one you were with.
“What?” She almost laughed and I looked back at her, not saying anything because I wasn’t exactly sure what it was she wanted me to elaborate on. “I mean I have a hard time believing anyone would turn you down.” She admitted, not blushing but speaking as if she was just saying her thoughts.
“It happens on occasion.” I shrugged, mostly with Heather….she had been right I could have found someone else to eat with, but she was the only person who’s company I enjoyed on a regular basis. However the the woman in front of me was proving more and more interesting.
“Not too many occasions I’m sure.” I held back a smile, surveying her before I spoke.
“Why are you so sure?” I asked, trying to figure out what it was she was thinking. Usually when a woman said something like that it was because she was interested in more than just a business lunch. However I was getting no other vibes like that from Miss. Knight. Thank god since I wanted to work with her for a long time and I’d learned the hard way what working with a scorned woman was like.
“Because you seem like the kind of man who always gets what he wants.” She replied, smiling as the young waitress brought our plates and set them in front of us, refilling our water glasses.
“Good observation.” I said finally, watching as she cut into her steak. A woman in this city who ate a steak for lunch was a rare sight.
“Thank you.” She looked very comfortable which was slightly unnerving since I was used to people who worked for me being intimidated at least a little.
“How old are you?” I asked, the words spilling out of my mouth no matter how inappropriate they might be. Her eyes widened and she swallowed her food before narrowing her eyes.
“31.” She said finally. “How old are you?” she asked back, making me smile.
“I’m 36.” She made a face and then nodded. “What were you just thinking?” I asked. She blinked.
“What do you mean?”
“You just made a face. What was running through your head?” She laughed and again I was struck by the beauty of her smile. It had knocked me off kilter twice today. That didn’t happen much.
“I was thinking you’re young for all you’ve accomplished.” She said.
“I try not to let my youth restrict me.” I teased back, making her chuckle again, though she did seem a little more interested in her food than in me which bothered me a little. The food was fantastic here of course, but I’d like to think I was slightly better company than a steak.
"That's a good thing." she said quickly and nodded as she ate. "So what's the secret for being so successful so young? I still have a few years before turning 36 maybe I'm still in time for making something big." I grinned since she barely looked even 30.
"I'd say study a lot and work hard."
"I got those covered already. Any other suggestion?" she asked, using her napkin to wipe her mouth even though nothing was there.
"You're an architect right?" I asked back, thinking we probably had a lot in common although our end results were different, planes vrs buildings. "Why didn't you choose structural engineering?"
"Because I needed something more creative than that. I considered the option but I didn't think I could've spent my whole life calculating concrete and worrying about iron bars." she grinned a little. "I love being an architect, really, only I'm not Le Corbusier." she paused. "Not yet anyway."
"Maybe you will."
"I get great inspiration about architects from the past and the present too. I always keep in mind their work whenever I start working on a new project, it happened for your building too Mr Trenton. You'll see when I'll show you what I have in mind next week." She replied with a confidence that was both believable and kind of adorable at the same time. Damn when had I ever thought anything was adorable...beside maybe my family.
“Confidence. Another secret to getting me where I am.” I added.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She smiled.
“Do you paint too?” I asked her, taking a bite of my steak and as she shook her head.
“No. I mean I took some art classes in college, but I like the structure element of architecture.” She added. “I told you I’m no Le Corbusier.” She added.
“You also said not yet.” I reminded her.
“Well, I can paint if that’s what you’re asking.” She smiled. “Just not as well as I can design buildings.” She smiled and I watched as she took a bite from her veggies, smiling as she chewed silently.
“My sister is an artist.” I said out of fu.cking nowhere. “You remind me of her a little.” She blinked up.
“I remind you of your sister?” She asked and I noticed the way that seemed to bother her a little. For some reason that made me laugh.
“Just in the way you eat. As if you’re enjoying every moment.” I replied. She blinked.
“Are you watching me eat Mr. Trenton?” She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly and causing her hair to fall over her shoulder.
“I was.” I replied, not saying anything else.
“Does she paint then? Your sister?” She asked.
“Yes. Her work is excellent.” I agreed.
“You approve of your sister being an artist for a living? Even though you went to MIT?” I blinked back at her.
“My sister went to Yale.” I replied seriously. She opened her eyes.
“Well Yale is no MIT.” She said finally, smirking and making me laugh since it was almost verbatim to what I had told Lila when she told me she’d been accepted.
“That’s true. How did you know I went to MIT?” This time she did blush a little.
“I may have googled you before the meeting.” I grinned.
“That’s smart. Always know your client.” She nodded. “Did you check up on just my education or did you also find out I may be fathering the baby of a british model?” I asked, knowing the press loved to play up my life sometimes.
“Are you? That should be a cute baby.” She smirked.
“Yes, I’m hoping just the rumor will placate my mother. Unfortunately I don’t even know any british models.” I shrugged and sighed.
“I’m sure you walk into London and find a bunch.” She laughed.
“Ahh, but you can’t walk to London. You have to fly.”
“I’m sure you could find a plane somewhere.” She shrugged.
“Probably. How much checking up on me have you done? I feel a little at a disadvantage. I haven’t found out anything about you. British model or otherwise.” She stared at me for a moment before grinning.
"There's no much to find out about me, at least not on the Internet." she said nonchalantly.
"Why? Are you a mysterious woman?" I pushed, smirking because this woman really amused me. She shook her head.
"No I'm just a normal person."
"Where did you go to college?"  The switch for professional seemed to turn back on like she was almost frustrated with it but she continued.
"I went to Columbia, in New York." she started explaining as she leaned back in my seat, still maintaining a professional composure. "I didn't care much about Columbia, I just really really wanted to go to New York. The first time I went there and I was 16, I saw the Seagram building and thought that I wanted to know everything about it. When I did, I decided that I'd be an architect." I smiled as I leaned my chin against my hand.
"That's a good story to tell." I paused, keeping my eyes on her. "Why didn't you stay in New York?"
"My family is here and I wanted to be close to them."
"Nothing bad about that." I commented, knowing I had done the same thing even though I could have easily set up headquarters in New York as well.
"I love San Francisco anyway. It's more relaxed." I agreed about that, but it was more than that for me. This city was my home, my fathers home. It was my roots.
"Let me guess, you live in one of those Victorian houses." I grinned, picturing her in a house like my sisters new one but smaller, more intimate.
"Wrong." she shook her head, "I like them modern more."
“Interesting.” I tried to picture her walking around in a modern space and found I liked the juxtaposition of her classic looks with what in my head was my kitchen which happened to be very modern.
“How so?” I shrugged.
“I’m trying to picture your house now.” I admitted. I took a look over her again. There was nothing flashy about her, she was definitely beautiful, there was no mistaking that, but she looked more like an old Hollywood star than a modern day working woman. She wasn’t wearing the sexy pencil skirt and low cut top with sky high heels that the professional women I usually dated were. If anything it looked like she just put on her most favorite comfortable clothes. I suddenly very much wanted to know what she’d look like all dress up.
“It’s nothing compared to yours I’m sure.” She smiled and a part of me literally almost reached out to trace her bottom lip with my finger. I had no idea what was coming over me. I’d never wondered what do to about a woman before. She wasn’t really my usual type but-no that was a lie, she just wasn’t as polished or shiny as I usually went. But there was more to it than that. In any other circumstance where I wanted a woman I would simply tell her that. But not only had it gone badly for me in the past when I mixed work and dating but something held me back still. It was a little unnerving. “What?” She asked, snapping me back to the present and rose a brow at her.
“You were looking at me with a strange expression on your face.” She shrugged.
“I was-“ Wondering what you’d look like in a pencil skirt. I finished in my head. “Just thinking about the building.” I finished, deciding it would be best to keep things professional even if this woman fascinated me. Maybe I just needed to get laid. It had been a little while.
“Oh, well I can talk about that all day.” She grinned and her eyes literally sparkled with her passion for her job. She pushed back her hair with her left hand and instinctively noticed she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. That didn’t mean she wasn’t seeing someone though. But then why was I wondering that? I had already decided I didn’t want her. “I have to say, you’re different than I expected.’ She said and I blinked.
“How so?” She shrugged and sipped the last of her water.
"Most men in your position just toss their money in the project, and don't care much about it as long as it makes them look powerful." she explained and I listened carefully, nodding at her perception.
"What about me instead?"
"You were very specific about what you liked and didn't like Mr Trenton." she answered with a smile, apparently that was a good thing.
"You don't have to call me that." I paused and frowned a little. "Call me Parker, please."
"Oh no. I don't think I can do that. I'm going to work for you...you're my superior. I'm not used to call my boss by his first name." she shook her head,  and for a moment I thought she was blushing. Huh. I wondered just what was on her mind.
"If I'm your boss I should decide how you call me." I retorted, used to getting what I wanted. "And Mr Trenton makes me feel old." And like I was a constant boss. All the time.
"You can call me Sophie." she said back and bit down on her lip. "But I'm not going to call you Parker, Mr Trenton."
“It goes both ways Miss Knight. If you won’t call me Parker I’m not going to call you Sophie.” I watched as her teeth tugged her lower lip slightly and she shrugged.
“Maybe when we get to knowing each other better.” She smiled as the waitress came over with the check which I took instantly.
“You don’t have-“
“I’m charging it to the company don’t worry.” I smirked and she laughed.
‘That’s the same as charging it to you.” She replied.
“Is it? Hmm. The downside of being CEO I guess.” I grinned and she shrugged. “I didn’t ask you if you wanted dessert.”
“I’m going to get an extra girly latte on the way back to work instead.”
“What will make it extra girly?” I asked, amused by the way she seemed excited at the prospect.
“Whipped cream and extra mocha?”
“I like mocha. I’m not a girl.” She laughed..
“No you’re definitely not. Okay I should say an extra sweet latte. But I am surprised. You look like you take your coffee black.” I shook my head.
“I take my coffee any way I can get it.” Sophie laughed. Sophie. Such a sweet girly name for someone who seemed both wildy sophisticated and low maintenance. I found myself wondering what she’d look like when she was having fun with girlfriends or out on a date. I wondered how long her hair was when it was down, if she wore little dresses or just tight jeans and a tank. I also wondered what she’d look like with all her inhibitions let loose…maybe I did want her after all.
“As do most of us.” She smiled wide and damn it my di.ck even twitched this time. Her smile was unreal. “Thank you for lunch. And for the opportunity to work with you. I’m…truly honored. And excited.” I smiled.
“I’m glad. I’ll set up a meeting for some time next week. I’d really like the building started as soon as possible. I’m not a very patient man.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” She grinned. “I look forward to it Mr. Trenton.” She reached out to shake my hand and I took it again, looking deep into those bright hazel eyes.
“I do too.”