Page 111 of Not A Whisper

There’s no reason for concern, yet apprehension pricks the back of my neck. My stomach tightens as I lower my phone down into my lap.

“Everything alright?” Jason asks, sitting down beside me and handing me the mug.

I don’t take it right away. Leaning forward, I eye the contents of it.

“It’s just some tea with honey,” he assures me, his dimples deepening. “I figured your throat would be sore after your crazy stunt last night.”

I ignore his jab and take the mug. Bringing it to my lips, I sip the contents. The heat is both soothing and uncomfortable as it slides down my throat. It’s the honey that saves it from being too unbearable.

“Thanks.”

Jason nudges his head to my phone. “What did your boss want?”

“To talk when I get to work.”

Jason’s smile falters. “Is there a reason she’d call to tell you that?”

No, unless it was bad news. But I don’t say that. Why put that out into the universe? Jason must’ve come to the same conclusion because his smile drops right offhis face.

Before he can try to placate me, I stand. “I’m going to get ready. Thanks for the tea.”

Jason rises with me but catches my elbow when I start to move around him. I pause, bracing myself for some sort of threat, punishment, or whatever else Jason has come up with. After last night, who knows what he’s going to do today.

His mouth purses as he takes in my wariness. “Ah, come on now, don’t look at me like that. You know you deserved last night.”

“We can agree to disagree,” I reply stiffly.

“Still love me though?” he asks, his smile returning.

Love him? I blink in surprise. “Who said I loved you?”

His smile turns knowing. Those hazel eyes sparkle with delight. “You might not have said the words, but you practically admitted it on the plane.”

While he’s not necessarily wrong, Jason doesn’t deserve to hear my feelings after last night.

“You’re splitting hairs.” I pull my arm from his hold and move toward the door.

His laughter follows me out of the room. As does his response, “I’ll take what I can get, dollie!”

“There’ssomething I’d like to run by you,” Grant hedges as we head toward the college.

We’ve driven in companionable silence for most of the way, both of us lost in our own thoughts. Anticipation for the meeting with my boss has my stomach in knots. Ms. Barbara hasnevercalled me and certainly has never told me to avoid Jonathan on my way in. What could she possibly want?

Pushing aside that question, I try to pull myself into the present. Twisting in my seat, my gaze lands on Grant’s profile.

“Alright, shoot.”

Grant rolls his shoulders, as if whatever he’s about to say is difficult.

“There’s a charity auction, a fundraiser type thing, coming up this weekend. A lot of important people will be there, including many of our investors. My father will be there as well. It’s a huge event, one of the biggest in Groveton for people with deep pockets. I was thinking, if you’re game, we could go together as a united front. There, I’d make the announcement that we’re married and together, we’ll be actively working to create our own footprint in the community rather than under my father’s umbrella.” Grant pauses, shooting me an unreadable look.

New nerves flutter in my stomach.

As if impulsively telling Garry about our marriage wasn’t stupid and terrifying enough, now Grant wants to make a public announcement about it? It seems strange, but I guess that’s what happens when people elope so… I suppose it’s not totally abnormal. Then again, if this is the same social circle that heard about Grant’s engagement to Carmilla things might be super awkward. All that attention, speculation… I bite the inside of my cheek.

“How do you think your father will react to the public splitting?”

It’s not an answer, but I’m going to need more information before I commit to enduring a night full of snobs and dangerously powerful people.

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