A Christmas Proposal: A Hidden Threat Short Story by Sherri Hayes Page B

covered. They’d even been to the warehouse where the equipment was stored prior to shipping. At every stop, he’d made her use her security code to enter the department. 
    She had to admit the security set up was quite extensive, at least to her untrained eye. Matthew had pointed out some of the security cameras and explained their strategic placement. There were even a few places where fingerprints were required. Cali had no idea how they’d gotten hold of her fingerprints, maybe from her Doctors Without Borders application? She didn’t know and wasn’t going to ask. After what she’d seen, the man beside her was very good at what he did. She doubted there was anything he couldn’t accomplish if he put his mind to it. 
    They slowly walked down stairs to the first floor. As they came out of the stairwell and into the main lobby, Matthew took her over to the main reception desk and showed her the small monitors fed from the various security cameras placed directly in front of the building. There was also a panic button, which would alert not only security inside the facility but also the police. The amount of money the system cost had to be staggering, which left her with little doubt how serious the threats that Matthew had told her about yesterday were. 
    Other than asking a few questions for clarification, Cali hadn’t said much over the last few hours. Matthew had been very professional. They both moved to the front doors, and he pointed out the two cameras situated to monitor the entrance. Then, he turned to face her.
    Placing both hands in his pockets, he studied her face. She wasn’t exactly sure what he was looking for, but whatever it was, he must have found it. “Are you hungry?”
    Okay. Not what she expected. “Excuse me?”
    He looked mildly uneasy, but continued. “It’s lunch time. And I thought maybe if you were hungry…” He paused as if waiting for her to say something. She didn’t. She had no idea what to say. Given the internal chaos he was causing her, the first thing her mind screamed was, No! Thankfully, she kept a firm hold on her initial and very unprofessional reaction. 
    Seeing he wasn’t getting a response, he figured he might as well just come out and ask. “Would you like to go to lunch?”
    Cali felt the need to say the words out loud. Just for clarification. Well, that and allowing her to wrap her mind around what was happening and figure out how to deal with it. “You’re asking me to go to lunch with you?”
    The side of his mouth pulled up in a hint of a smile, and Cali’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes.”
    She swallowed. Did she want to go to lunch with Matthew Andersen? Yes. Should she go to lunch with Matthew Andersen? She mentally sighed. Probably not. 
    Obviously, she was taking too long to answer, and Matthew shifted his weight. “Look it’s no big deal. Don’t worry about it. I just thought—”
    She interrupted him. “Sure.”
    He gave her a full-fledged smile this time in response, and she knew if she didn’t move soon, she wouldn’t be able to remain standing. 
    Matthew opened the door. “After you,” he said mimicking her from earlier. 
    Cali just smiled at him before walking through the open door. 
     

 
     

     
    What in this world am I doing? he chided himself.  After working so hard all morning to keep things professional, he now found himself in a cozy little Italian restaurant with her. They’d passed two cafes on the way here, but they hadn’t interested him. He told himself it was because he wanted to talk to her more about the situation and brief her on what was happening this Friday, but he knew better. Matthew had no desire to talk business. He wanted to find out what made her tick. Then maybe she would stop consuming his every thought, and he could concentrate on what he was supposed to—his job. 
        Cali slid into her chair. The restaurant he’d selected for their lunch surprised her. It must have been new. She didn’t