Page 21 of Theirs to Take

“Hurry, they are about halfway through their dinners already,” Evie said.

“Thanks for the head’s up, Evie,” she said.

“I’ll stick around to have your back,” she promised. Nova nodded, knowing that her best friend wouldn’t be able to see her, and ended the call. She pulled on her shoes and jacket, not bothering to even take off her robe. She slipped on her big, furry snow boots that she found in her stuff, not caring that it was too warm to be sporting them in public. Nova found her purse and pulled open the front door to find Alex’s security guard sitting in his SUV in the driveway. Shit—she had forgotten all about the babysitter that Alex had put in place to watch her. How would she give him the slip? She wouldn’t, but she’d have to lie her ass off to get him to cooperate and not tell Alex.

She crossed the driveway, his eyes on her the whole time. Sure, she looked like a crazy, homeless person, but she didn’t care. Nova knocked on his window and made a motion with her hand for him to roll down the window. “Hey,” she breathed. “I’m starving. I texted Alex and he said that you might be willing to run me to pick up my food order. I was going to have a peanut butter and jelly, but he doesn’t have any bread in the house. I put an order in at Branden’s Steakhouse, and it’s ready.”

The guy looked her over and for just a minute, she didn’t think he believed a word that she was saying to him.

“You need for me to run you to pick up your food? Why not just have it delivered?” he asked.

She slapped her palm to her forehead, “I didn’t think about that. Listen, it’s too late for delivery. I don’t mind going over on my own. I don’t want to put you out.”

The poor guy looked torn, and she still wasn’t sure that she was going to get away with it.

“No, I’ll take you over to pick up your dinner,” he said. “Mr. McTavish was pretty specific about not leaving you alone tonightuntil he got back from his meeting.” Yeah—meeting her ass. He was meeting with a pretty woman behind her back, and she wasn’t about to sit in his house and just let it happen.

“Thanks,” she said. She rounded the SUV and hopped into the front seat, quickly fastening her seatbelt. “Ready.” He shook his head at her and started the car.

“I just hope you don’t get me into any trouble here,” he said, backing out of her driveway. She should have felt guilty, but all she could think about was catching Alex with that bitch. Then, she’d go back to his house, pack her shit and find another safe place to lay low. She’d have to keep her job until she could find a new one, but there was no way that she’d be sleeping with her boss any longer. And if he tried to fire her, she’d go to HR. Yeah—that would serve him right too.

“I’m just running in to pick up my food,” she lied. “I’ll be super quick and like I said, Alex has already approved this little trip.” She was lying so much; her pants should be on fire. She was a horrible person, but she’d think about all of that later. Right now, she just wanted the guard to drive faster.

They finally pulled into the parking lot at the steak house, and she practically jumped out of the SUV before it even stopped moving. “Be right back,” she lied. If this went the way she thought it would, she’d end up catching a ride back with Evie.

Nova ran into the restaurant, ignoring the hostess who told her that she had to wait to be seated. She pushed past her and two waiters to find Alex sitting at the same table that he was with her at, just days before.

“What the hell is going on here?” she shouted.

“Nova,” Alex said. He stood and looked her over. “What’s wrong? Why are you here? Are you wearing your bathrobe?”

“Yes, I am, and I’m here because my best friend sent me a picture of you cheating on me with her,” she said, nodding to the woman who sat at the table watching their exchange. Evie joinedthem, standing beside her. It was good to know that she had Nova’s back.

“Cheating on you?” he asked. “Victoria is my client,” he said. She looked Victoria over and barked out her laugh. The woman was gorgeous and dressed to kill. If her cocktail dress was any lower, Nova would be able to see the woman’s belly button.

“I can’t believe that you’d do this to me,” she whispered. “I know that we haven’t been together very long, Alex, but I was falling in love with you. I thought that you felt the same way, but I guess that just makes me a giant fool, right?” she asked. “How could I be so stupid?” she whispered to herself.

“You’re falling in love with me?” he asked. Alex reached for her hand, and she swatted him away.

“I was,” she corrected. “But I won’t love another man who cheats on me. I was already married to a man like that, and I won’t live through that again, Alex.”

“I’d never ask you to do that, honey,” he insisted. “And for the record, I’m falling in love with you too,” he said.

“Wait—how can you say something like that to me and still be out on a date with her?” she asked.

The woman stood and grabbed her purse. “I’m not his date,” she assured. “I really am here as his new client. Alex is handling my company’s business merger.”

Nova looked back up to Alex as if needing him to confirm Victoria’s story. “She’s telling the truth,” he promised. “I’ll be handling her company’s merger if she’s still willing to work with me.”

“Of course,” she agreed. “If I had a man like you, Alex, I’d storm into a restaurant in my bathrobe to steak my claim too. I don’t blame you at all, Nova,” she said.

“Thanks,” Nova squeaked.

“I’m going to head out. How about we meet at your office from now on, Alex,” Victoria offered. “That way, Nova can bethere and who knows, maybe we’ll even become friends.” She leaned into Nova and whispered, “I have the same robe. You have very good taste in clothes and men.” Nova nodded and watched as the woman walked away.

“I’m so sorry,” Evie said. “I saw the two of you together and jumped to the wrong conclusion. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

“You were just protecting your friend,” Alex said. “It’s one of the reasons why I like you, Evie. Nova needs someone like you looking out for her.”

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