Page 25 of Cruel Fate

“What is he asking you to do?” I can’t wrap my mind around the idea Zarah is helping Ash do anything of importance. Sheisn’t educated, and the only other thing I know of her is she likes to party.

She blushes. “Well, mostly I served coffee and drinks all day, but Ash let me sit in on some meetings and I was able to listen and take notes.”

I bet that didn’t do her much good. I shouldn’t be a snob—we’re talking about a level of business I’ll never achieve. Sitting in and taking notes for Zane is one thing, but understanding what the notes mean is quite another.

The waitress serves our martinis, and Zarah sips half of hers, leaving a stain of lip gloss along the rim. “How did your day go?”

I debate telling her about the meeting with the FBI, but I decide against it. That’s for Zane to tell his sister in private. While I sip my bright green martini (it really is good) I tell her about learning the software on my computer and that when I left for the day, Zane was still in meetings.

According to Zarah, Ash allowed her to sit in on those meetings, and I bite back a ping of jealousy. Why didn’t Zane want me with him?

Because unless he needs me to record the minutes, that’s not a secretary’s job. I have a real position in Maddox Industries, and Zarah could be getting paid to look pretty or Ash may not be compensating her at all. I have no idea what their relationship is like. I’m scared of him, and the less I know, the better.

The minute we’re finished eating our meals, I say, “I need to head home,” and push my empty plate away.

Zarah’s face falls, but she brightens. “Now that Zane’s back to work, we should plan a party. He needs to let the city know he’s taking over.”

I would think showing up at the office every day would do that, but if Zarah thinks Zane needs a party, then I guess he needs a party.

“Have fun with that.” I slip out of the booth and look around for the waitress to pay our check.

Zarah slides off her side of the bench and walks away. My heart falls. I thought she would flag our waitress down, or at least find out the total and leave some cash on the table.

She weaves her way around the crowded floor, and scrambling, I pull a fifty out of my purse. That fifty represents a lot of money to me, and my hand trembles as I anchor it under my empty martini glass.

I never did get around to skimming my sign-on package. I was too caught up in learning my job and consoling Zane after the meeting to think about it. Stupid now. I don’t know how much I’m being paid, or how often. It’d be nice to know if I’m hourly or salary.

I need to stop losing myself in Zane’s eyes and start thinking about my own welfare. I need a reality check or I’m going to be living on unemployment checks.

I push the bar’s door open and join Zarah in the cool night’s air.

“What were you doing?” she asks.

“I paid our bill.” I can’t keep the irritation out of my voice.

Zarah laughs, amused, and my cheeks heat in embarrassed anger.

“We own that place. It’s why the waitress didn’t bring our check. She knows who I am, silly.”

I frown, humiliated. How was I supposed to know that?

Her laugher fades, and she says, “I’m sorry. I should have told you. She’ll appreciate the tip.”

I bristle. I wasted fifty dollars. Trying not to sound bitchy, I say, “I better get home. It’s late.”

“Will you help me plan the party? Can I text you tomorrow?”

If this party is going to reestablish Zane in thebusiness world, then I should have my hand in it. No doubt severalimportant business associates will be invited, and Zane will introduce me as his new assistant. Being a part of the planning will benefit me, too, so I nod. “Sure. Tell me what I need to do to help.”

“I’ll clear it with Zane first. He won’t like it, but he’ll know it’s a good idea.”

“Okay. Goodnight, Zarah.”

She pulls me into a hug and pushes something into the pocket of my coat. “I’ll talk to you later,” she says and smears a kiss over my cheek. She hurries down the sidewalk the way we came.

I watch her stride down the sidewalk, and I feel a mix of envy and pity. The girl has the whole world in her hands, and she doesn’t know what to do with it.

The crowd consumes her, and I lose sight of her figure.

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