Page 118 of Playing My Rivals

Me: Hey, Mel. Are you still at dinner?

I shoot the message to her and toss my phone on the counter. I rub my stiff neck and release a heavy breath. My nerves have never been so tied up. Hunter’s playing dirty, so I’m desperate to get answers, but I keep running into a brick wall.

If Dori’s pregnant, he can take all his threats and shove them up his ass. I’ll figure out how to deal with them.

Fucking Hunter. Dori warned me a long time ago he could be ruthless in business. How I didn’t see this coming is beyond me.

My phone chimes with a message.

Dori: I’m at dinner, so I can’t talk now. I’ll text you tomorrow and we can meet up then.

As I’m getting ready to text her back, Melanie answers my message.

Melanie: Hey, Jami. We’re still at dinner. Why?

I have an opening with this. I shouldn’t do it, but tomorrow is too far away. Plus, I have a feeling Dori will avoid me just like she did tonight when I brought up the possibility of her being pregnant. I need Melanie’s help.

Me: I’m bored and wanted to see if you wanted to hang out. Hunter said he’s meeting up with Dori later. How about we meet up?

I send it out. Melanie could very well tell Dori and she may split before I get there. I’m willing to take my chance. It’s too important not to.

Melanie: Yay! I’m waiting for our server to get off of work, so meet me here.

Me: And where would here be?

Melanie: Duh. Same place we went the last Friday we went out. It’s the only place to be on Fridays.

I don’t hesitate for a minute. I’m out the door and on my way without giving a second thought as to what I’ll say. Hopefully, Dori won’t take off if Melanie tells her I’m meeting her.

Ten minutes later, I’m trudging through the restaurant, looking for them. Melanie comes into view, sitting alone at a booth. My heart sinks. Dori must have left.

I stride over to the booth. “Hey, Mel.”

“Hi, Jami. I’m so glad you decided to come out. Dori said you were with Hunter, so I was surprised when you texted.” She scoots over and makes room for me to sit.

“Yeah, I was with Hunter.” Just saying his name has me swallowing down rancid thoughts.

I slide into the booth and glance around. Dori’s plate is still on the table.

Melanie grabs my arm. “You’ll have to tell me everything. And don’t leave out a thing.”

“Jami. What are you doing here?” Dori catches my attention as she slides back into the booth.

My body relaxes when I realize she must have been in the bathroom. “I was bored, so Mel said I should meet her here.”

Dori’s eyebrows pull together as she gets herself situated. She glances between Melanie and me.

“I didn’t realize you two had plans.” She picks up a glass of wine and takes a drink.

“What do you think you’re doing?” The question comes out of my mouth without me thinking.

Dori pulls back, confused by my attitude. “We’re having dinner and catching up.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. The wine. Do you think drinking right now is a good idea?” I gesture to her glass.

“Why isn’t it a good idea for her to be drinking?” Melanie turns to Dori and then back to me.

Dori goes red and gives me a look that tells me she hasn’t said anything to Melanie about the possibility of being pregnant.

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