Page 28 of Storm's Embrace

Telling someone to not look behind them was a surefire way to ensure they would do exactly that. So, of course, she did. “Why?” she asked turning in her chair and glancing around at the surrounding tables of the crowded upscale restaurant. “What…”

Deidre Bennett and three other equally-stylishly dressed women were just sitting down on the other side of the restaurant. What were the chances?

“I’d like to tear her hair out by the roots.”

Miriam let out a short laugh and did a quick turn to her mother sitting in the chair beside her. “Mom!”

“Well, I would,” her mother said, staring hard over her shoulder at the other woman before turning back to her. “She’s a, a, a…” Her mom let out an exasperated sigh before picking up her own tea and taking a long drink before setting the glass back down. “Well, I refuse to say the “B” word, but you know what I mean.”

“Wow,” Leah said, snickering. “You potty mouth, you. I’m telling Zoë.”

“Don’t you dare,” her mom said, chuckling. “I don’t want to be soaped.” Miriam and Leah both laughed, but her mother soon sobered. “We can leave if you want to.”

Miriam was tempted to do just that, but she wasn’t going to run away from the woman Eli had chosen. If she was going to continue working for him, she was going to have to get used to being around her more anyhow. “No, I’m good.” She looked between her mom’s and sister’s disbelieving expressions. “I really am.” She pushed her chair back from the table. “I’m also really in need of a trip to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

Unfortunately, she had to walk right past Deidre who had to have noticed her but didn’t make eye contact. If she was honest with herself, she was a bit relieved. She had a feeling staring into the cold depths of Deidre Bennett’s gaze would have turned her stomach.

Miriam made it to the large bathroom and entered one of the stalls to take care of her needs, and was flushing the commode when the swinging main door to the room opened and closed with a squealing creak. She adjusted her clothes and stepped out, almost stumbling as she came to a quick stop.

“Ms. Bennett,” she said, going over to the sink to wash her hands while doing her best to ignore the gigantic diamond ring the other woman was twisting round her finger. Had she purposely followed her in here?

“Imagine my surprise to see you at my favorite restaurant,” Ms. Bennett said loud enough to be heard over the running water. “I’ve never seen you here before.”

Miriam glanced in the mirror, catching the other woman’s mild expression before turning off the water and placing her wet hands under the hand dryer. When it finally shut off, she braced herself to face the other woman who hadn’t moved.

“You wouldn’t have, but my mom’s been wanting to come here for a while,” she said offering the other woman a smile she didn’t feel like giving. “So we thought we’d try it.”

“So you’re here with your mom and…” Deidre quirked a brow at her.

“My sister,” Miriam provided before taking a step toward the door—a step Deidre mirrored, blocking her path.

Miriam frowned at the other woman and made a sidestep. “Pardon me.”

Deidre moved in front of her again. “I’m actually glad you’re here. It’s a good opportunity for us to have somegirl talk.”

“Girl talk?” What could Deidre possibly have to say to her? “Okay,” she hesitantly said.

“I’m sure you know Eli is finally making an honest woman out of me.” Deidre let out a slight chuckle and flashed her ring at her. “It was certainly time. Don’t you agree?”

“I wouldn’t know, but congratulations.” Miriam glanced past Deidre to the door and her escape. “Now I really need to go.”

Deidre’s expression hardened as the taller woman stepped close enough Miriam had to take several of her own steps back until her butt rested against the sink counter. “Yes. You do. And the sooner the better.”

Miriam’s eyes widened as she looked up at her. “Excuse me?”

“I can’t have you working in Eli’s office any longer.” A menacing grin spread over her face. “I won’t have you making those stupid cow eyes at my future husband I’ve noticed every time I see the two of you together. And Icertainlywon’t have a littlenothinglike you throwing herself at him behind my back.”

“Throwing myself…” Miriam’s anger had risen as her shoulders tensed with each hateful word from the other woman, but she wasn’t about to let her get away with insulting her. “I think you’d better back up and shut up before I say something we’ll both regret.”

A look of almost admiration filled Deidre’s gaze before she narrowed her eyes on Miriam. “So, not such a mouse after all, are you?” She smirked. “That’s good to know. And don’t worry yourself. I’ll regret nothing. You, on the other hand?” She shook her head. “I think your best course of action is to quit before I have to tell Eli to fire you.”

“I’ve known Eli a lot longer than you have, and he would never fire me.” If she knew nothing else, she knew that. “So, there’s nothing you can say that could make him do that.”

“Oh?” Deidre stepped away from Miriam, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “You’llknowdifferently when I tell him you’re in love with him.”

Miriam’s heart stuttered with the other woman’s threat. And if Deidre had seen Miriam was in love with Eli, how much longer before the man in question saw it as well?

“I—“

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