Page 101 of The Protégé

I glared ather, wishing my eyes could send out a beam of light to burn off her hand. I didn’t want her touching him. Though he was my boyfriend now, the surge of jealousy still surprised me.

Chantel flicked a glance at me and back at him. Sabrina met my eyes and looked elsewhere. I knew she had helped Chantel spread the drug rumors about me.

“Hello.” Orion slung an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “You’re here for the obstacle course?”

I wrapped my arm around his waist as well. “Nice seeing you and Sabrina here. I didn’t think you’d like rolling around in the mud.”

Arching an eyebrow, Chantel stared at Orion’s arm on my shoulder. Then she slid her disapproving gaze to me. “You get around fast.”

I blinked at the rudeness. I guess I shouldn’t have given her the benefit of the doubt. Indignation soared in me as I extracted myself from Orion’s arm.

“If you think my dating someone new after a year is fast, then how do you describe yourself when you date a new guyeverymonth?” I paused as Chantel’s mouth dropped open, looking embarrassed. She stepped on my toes when all I wanted was a calm vacation. I continued my tirade. “We all know you screwed those guys from the lighting crew.”

She flared her nostrils, sending darts into my chest with her eyes.

I sent my own darts back at her. “And let’s not forget Mr. Gallini’s son, who had just turned nineteen.” I shook my head. “Seriously, he’s still a kid.” A kid who was big and tall like his father, who owned the gym she attended. Maybe she slept with the father too, but I hadn’t heard anyone whisper that.

Sabrina whipped her head at Chantel, whose face was beet red with anger.

Orion stood with his arms crossed over his chest, looking intrigued.

“Someone’s spreading rumors about me,” Chantel spat.

“It must be because you did that to them. What goes around comes around.”

Sabrina glanced at the floor, probably trying to escape the embarrassing situation but afraid of Chantel’s wrath afterward.

“Stay out of my business,” Chantel seethed.

“Then you stay out of mine.” I whirled around, walked to Orion, gripped his hand in mine, and stalked off.

Anger pulsed through my veins. This was my mini vacation with Orion. Our first actual date and Chantel had to ruin it.

Orion swung my hand back and forth. “That was admirable.”

I flicked an annoyed look at him, even though he had nothing to do with it. Actually, he did. Chantel wantedhim. Had he given her any indication that he was interested? Doubts swarmed in my mind like annoying ants.

I stopped in my steps and narrowed my eyes at him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Chantel said it was nice seeing youagain. What didn’t you tell me about seeing her on your last business trip?”

He considered me for a moment, studying my face with amusement. Then a smile appeared on his face as he leaned in and whispered, “Are you jealous?”

I rolled my eyes, not admitting to anything. This entire situation was already ridiculous and my behavior baffled me. Still, I couldn’t help it.

“Answer my question,” I scoffed.

His smile widened. “I saw her at an event, but nothing happened.” He touched my face tenderly. “I was too busy thinking about dandelion tea and a sexy eye roll from someone else.”

I twisted my lips, feeling better. But also feeling annoyed at myself for letting Chantel push my buttons. I knew without a doubt she’d been badmouthing me to all my colleagues. Her family had influence at Channel 7 News, so I wasn’t surprised if they chose her over me.

Those with privilege had an upper hand at everything.

Feeling drained, I sighed. “Okay.”

“Come here, Sunshine.” He pulled me flush to him for a warm embrace. “I love that you’re jealous, but never doubt how I feel about you. Okay?” He kissed my forehead. “That was the most interesting spat I’d ever witnessed. She stepped on your toes, but you twisted her arms.”

---