Page 31 of One True Mate

“What? With who?” He sounded panicked and all I wanted to do was assure him.

“Sally, the barista at the cafe. The one with the really good coffee you love. I talked to her this morning when I picked yours up on my way in.”

“Sally? You're having drinks with Sally Merchant?” Relief was evident in his voice.

“Yes. I don't expect we'll be that long. I can cook or meet you somewhere afterwards if it's important.”

He shook his head, “No, I don't want you to have to rush home and cook and I don't want eyes and ears on us for this conversation. How about you just come by my place after you're done? I'll figure something out for dinner.”

“Um, okay, sure.”

His place? I couldn't help but feel a little nervous about being so alone with him. Then again, maybe he still lived at home like Elise and Lily. I had never really asked.

I noticed while I was freaking out, he had already retreated into his office. I picked up the phone and dialed his extension.

“Kyle Westin,” he answered, probably not even having looked at the phone to know it was only me.

“Sorry, it's just me. Um, Kyle,” it felt weird saying his first name here in the office, “where exactly do you live?”

He let out an unrestrained laugh and I noted, not for the first time, that my wolf ears could not hear him through the walls, only the receiver.

“I'll send you the address, Kels. You may be surprised to find that you do know where I live.”

I could hear the smile in his voice as he hung up and I was certain now he did live at home, but a few minutes later when a new email popped into my account, I didn't recognize the address which thoroughly confused me.

I was still plugging it into my phone when a smell hit me causing a small growl to escape.

Vanessa Relic waltzed into my office like she owned the place heading straight for Kyle's office.

“Excuse me,” I said, feeling irritated, “do you have an appointment?”

She laughed her tinkling, little girl laugh that grated on my every last nerve at the dinner table the previous night. It had taken everything in my power not to pick up the knife next to my plate and hurl it at her head. But I smiled being the professional I was.

“Vanessa, right? Mr. Westin has a very busy schedule this morning and I don't see you on the list of appointments. Sorry.”

If looks could kill I knew I'd be dead.

“Well call him. He'll see me anytime, anywhere.”

She was goading me, trying to push my buttons. I could tell, but there was something in me that was not going to back down to this girl, and truth be told I didn't want to. But I picked up the phone and pushed for Kyle's extension.

He answered with a chuckle. “Check it out and realize you know the place already? Or at least your…”

“Mr. Westin, a Miss Vanessa Relic is here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment. I've warned her your schedule is tight this morning. Should she come back later or do you have a second?”

I heard him blow out a frustrated breath. “Yeah, okay, send her in.”

What?!?!?I wanted to scream at him through the phone, and I must have let my carefully guarded face drop because she was smiling in triumph.

“Yes, sir,” I steeled my voice while cursing under my breath. “You may go in,” I told her sweetly.

She shot me an 'I-told-you-so' look that nearly had me coming across the desk to attack her. I took a few deep breaths as she closed the door behind her. No sense in trying to listen in. I knew I'd never hear through those walls. My blood was boiling and I had never wanted to kill, or at least very much harm, someone as badly as I wanted to with Vanessa Relic.

What kind of stupid name was that anyway? Relic? Was it even a real name?

I knew I was being petty, but I couldn't help it any more than I could control the insane jealousy pulsing through my veins.

I was worked up into almost a full blown anger by the time she finally opened the door and let herself out. Smirking in victory, she walked over to my desk.

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