Page 74 of King of Deception

“Do you agree with him?”

“Not really. I think it’s irrelevant. In fact, I’ve never really dated anyone with that much money. But I know how to have fun.”

“And does James have a lot of money?”

“Not by the standards of your friends, no. He doesn’t live near Central Park, and you’d never meet a celebrity at his parties,” she giggled. “But yeah, he’s well off.” After pausing for a while, she lowered her voice as if carefully probing. “So… are you a John Lennon, Abel?”

“A what now?”

“A jealous guy?”

“I—” There it was, and I was taken aback by the confrontation that came too soon. It was a moment of truth that I had to deal with like a mature adult. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. “Define jealous.”

“The way you got Jude kicked out of that wedding, I believed you were helping me… but then you go speechless whenever I mention Alex’s name, and I feel like I have to remind you that… we’re only ever going to be friends.”

“No, it’s—” What was it, really? Come on, Abel. Mature, remember? “Okay?” I forced the confession out of my lips, and the words came out slowly, “I can be a little jealous.”

“Define ‘a little’?”

“I’m not paranoid or anything—”

“What are you, then? Say you see me with a friend having coffee.”

“I have coffee with friends all the time,” I casually said.

“A guy calls me late at night to complain about his girlfriend?”

“Why can’t it wait ‘til morning?” I chuckled.

“Because they just had a fight?” she elaborated. “And she stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her,” she added a bit of lighthearted drama to her tone.

“Wow, poor guy, huh?” I tittered before licking my lips, giving myself a moment to breathe.

“It happens, though.”

I had to think for a moment. What I had with Ella was too good to ruin over a hypothetical situation. “I wouldn’t risk upsetting you over something like that,” I admitted.

For a few seconds, she didn’t say anything. “But you’ll be upset?”

I felt like I was being cornered. I hadn’t been in a serious relationship in a very long time, which meant that I hadn’t had my patience tested for the answer she was requesting. “You’ve asked enough questions,” I smiled. “Can I take my turn now?”

“I have nothing to hide,” she sounded playful. “Ask away!”

“Are you seeing other people?” My heart stopped in anticipation of her response.

And then it was as though I heard her smile before I heard her voice. “I… am not.”

Relief took over me as I let out the quietest exhale I had ever mustered. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Only if you let me pay this time.”

“Are you my sugar mama?” I sniggered, and she laughed.

“I just might be.”

The next morning was filled with back-to-back meetings. Following the last one before lunch, I went into the private dressing room attached to my office. Like every time, I changed out of my French suit into a pair of old jeans and a tee. I also switched shoes, and on my way out, Iris smirked.

Tapping lightly on the corner of her desk, I said, “One hour. Call me if anything comes up.”

---