Page 57 of Playing My Rivals

I scan my apartment to make sure nothing is out that would suggest Dori and I share a past. The picture she gave me is in my bedroom now, so unless he goes through my house, there’s nothing for him to find.

Dori: He knows you gave me the necklace. I think he knew anyway, so I couldn’t lie when he asked me. I told him you gave it to me to remind me of the baby I lost. That’s all I said. I’m sorry, Jami. We should have been honest from the start. Now I don’t know how to get out of the lie without making matters worse.

I could’ve told her this would happen. I rub my hand over my beard and toss my phone onto the coffee table.

Now what do we do?

Even though she’s with Hunter, my love for her grows every day. I can’t imagine her in any harm, so I have no other choice other than to protect her. Whatever she needs, I’ll do.

My heart and soul constantly ache for her, but I can’t tell her I love her until I know she is ready to hear it. It might not ever happen, but that doesn’t change my need to make sure she’s safe.

First Lauren, then Aiden’s warning, and now this. Dori’s in danger no matter how I look at it.

I prepare myself for a visit from Hunter, but it never comes. It should relieve me, but instead I’m more concerned. He’s not one to let something like this slide. He’s got to be planning something, and that puts me on edge for the rest of the night.

Morning comes earlier than normal because of a nagging feeling Dori needs me. I’m wide awake and it’s only five-thirty, so I decide to work in my home office for a while.

The second phase of the app is scheduled to commence a month from today. We’ve made good progress, but we have two more phases to go before it’s ready to be released to the public. The time to work with no disruptions is a nice change of pace.

I’m much more calm and centered when I press the button to call for the elevator. I’m checking my text messages when the doors slide open, revealing Jody. It takes me by surprise because I’m usually the first one on since there’s only one floor and two occupants above me.

“Good morning, Jody. Going down?” I hesitate to step on to make sure she isn’t going up.

“Hi, Jamison. Yes, I’m going down.” Her cheeks turn pink and she casts her gaze to the floor.

I step on and go to hit the main level floor, but it’s already illuminated. Knowing Hunter and Dori are in a fight, I think I know where Jody’s coming from. As tempted as I am to ask, I don’t. It’s none of my business.

We get to the main level and say goodbye as we go our separate ways. I can’t help but feel bad for Jody and Dori. Jody because she was likely being used and Dori because she’s likely being disrespected by Hunter by him being with Jody.

The chilly air hits my face as I step out of my building. It reminds me that fall is right around the corner. I make a mental note to arrange a time with Chuck when I can come by and blow out his sprinklers so they don’t freeze in the upcoming winter months.

I’m crossing the street to get to our office building when a man on a motorcycle pulls up to park. He’s about twenty yards from me, so I can’t make out his face, but something about him looks familiar. It takes me a minute to realize I saw the same man yesterday in front of my building as I was coming home from work.

I open the door to the lobby of Efron Worldwide’s corporate office and try to make out his license plate. He’s too far away, though, so I can’t do it without looking obvious.

“Hi, Jamison.” Melanie sidles up beside me.

“Hey, Mel. How are you?” I glance over my shoulder just as the man strolls by.

He turns his head my way, but I can’t make him out as he still has his sunglasses on. He notices me eyeing him and moves away from the building to create more distance.

Melanie peeks over her shoulder. “What are you looking at?”

“Hopefully nothing.” I face forward and walk with her.

“If you say so. Anyway, to answer your question. I could be doing a lot better than I am.” She pushes the button to call for the elevator.

“Why is that?”

“Dori dragged me to spin class this morning.”

“I thought you loved working out with her.”

“I do, but not when she’s behaving like she is.” Mel rolls her eyes as the elevator doors slide open.

After a couple of people get off, I motion for her to step on before me. “What way is that?”

She enters the elevator and moves to the side. “Dori’s in a big fight with you know who.”

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