Michael's POV
Sitting across from Thor at some overpriced restaurant uptown was the last place I wanted to be. We weren't friends. Never had been. Our relationship was strictly business - contracts, deals, handshakes when necessary. But after closing our latest agreement, he'd insisted on celebrating. Said he knew the perfect spot.
I should have declined.
Thor was already seated when I walked in, wearing that self-satisfied grin like we were old fraternity brothers. The deal had him riding high, clearly.
"Michael," he said, raising his wine glass. "Here we are - business partners. Congratulations on closing everything so smoothly."
I nodded curtly and sat down. "The final push was mutual effort."
He laughed. "Always modest. This is beneficial for both our companies."
He launched into talk about implementation schedules, potential joint ventures, maybe expanding into European markets. I tried to listen, tried to engage.
But my mind was elsewhere.
With her.
Allyson.
