Page 16 of Hotel Mallois

"What nonsense is that?" Katherine responds, staring at her intently. "You need to eat and so do I, we'll return together," she says and picks up her phone to end the conversation.

Jodie turns her head toward the window, accepting that her almost childish attempt to distance herself from Katherine just because she's angry hasn't worked out as she hoped. After some time that Jodie couldn't define, Mike parks so they can get out and agrees with Katherine that he'll pick them up when she calls.

They walk a few meters until turning the corner, and Jodie watches in perplexity as Katherine pushes open the door of a diner and enters.

"We're eating here?" she asks in amazement while Katherine walks between the counter and the tables with red and white padded benches on the left, next to huge windows overlooking a shopping center parking lot.

"Is that a problem?" Katherine asks, taken aback.

Jodie looks around and then fixes her gaze back on the woman in front of her. The restaurant is full of working-class people, people like Jodie, not like Katherine.

"No, of course not, but I didn't imagine you eating in a place like this," she responds while sitting down.

Katherine nods and also quickly surveys the place.

"I'm a normal person, Jodie, like you and like them. I won't deny that I like eating at expensive restaurants because that would make me a hypocrite, but I also like eating at these places, it helps me keep my feet on theground and, damn, I love this food," she admits just before the waitress arrives.

They both order and neither can fill the silence while they wait because the tension that built up in the car still hangs in the air between them. Jodie handles it better, she's used to keeping her thoughts to herself because, after all, she's very clear that Katherine Taylor is someone unattainable for her and she just needs time to get her out of her head, but Katherine doesn't like uncomfortable silences, especially when she suspects the reasons and believes they can be discussed.

"Alright, enough," she says suddenly, pushing her water glass to the side. "Why don't you just ask me what you want to ask and we end this uncomfortable situation?"

Jodie looks at her, at first surprised by Katherine's outburst, but then serious because, since her boss has brought up the topic, she's not going to avoid it or bury her head in the sand.

"Fine, as you wish," she says and clears her throat.

Katherine raises a hand before she continues speaking, annoyed.

"Please start using my first name, Jodie, I think we've developed enough trust by now for you to stop being so formal. It feels awkward given where we are."

Jodie feels Katherine's blue gaze pierce through her body when she speaks.

"Okay, I'll use your first name."

"Good, now fire away with that question," Katherine demands.

Jodie feels her heart can't beat any harder, but she's not going to lose the opportunity that's just been offered despite being terrified of the answer.

"What's between you and Annie?"

Katherine experiences a strange feeling of satisfaction inside. Her intuition hasn't failed her and she has to admit she likes that Jodie is jealous.

"Put simply, sex," Katherine answers direct as a bullet that pierces through Jodie, who doesn't even blink. "Annie Cohen is the person I deal with for all financial matters of my hotels; honestly, I don't trust anyone else in that aspect. She's competent and very intelligent and for me she's essential in that regard. As for the personal side, we have fun together, no more expectations on either her part or mine. Does that answer your question?"

Jodie swallows, despite feeling somewhat calmer, she still wants to incinerate Annie Cohen by breathing fire.

"Yes," she finally responds.

"I'm glad. Do you have any others?"

Katherine leans back to let the waitress place the plates on the table and Jodie doesn't respond until she's gone, meanwhile, they maintain a challenging look that only increases the attraction Katherine is beginning to feel for Jodie.

"I have many questions," Jodie responds when they're alone again, "but I don't think it's appropriate to ask them."

Katherine frowns, she doesn't need to ask to know that what's holding Jodie back is the social difference between them, but that's not going to stop her.

"As you wish, I do have a question," she says surprising Jodie. "What's your relationship status right now? Are you seeing anyone?"

"Those are two questions," Jodie points out.

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