Page 129 of Playing A Risk
“And it’s Hunter’s? Come on, Mel. He’s smarter than that. He’s a billionaire. No way would he have unprotected sex with a one-night stand.”
She flicks my collar with the tip of her fingernail. “He would if he was half asleep and thought it was Dori.”
“Fucking hell. He was wasted when I saw them together.”I shuffle to the window in disbelief. “What a twisted chance of luck.”
“You saw them that night?” Mel shoves my shoulder. “Don’t tell Dori that for a while. She wouldn’t know what to do with that information. It very well could be the final straw in her delicate exterior.”
“She already knows and was mad at me for keeping it from her. She said Hunter came clean about that night and told her I saw them together.” I move back to my desk to give myself time to wrap my head around the news.
Mel taps on her lips as she thinks for a moment. “She was pretty upset with you during those two weeks, so she might have forgotten to mention that.”
“How is he sure it’s his? Isabella can’t be that far along.”
“Isabella insists it is. Of course, he’s asking for a paternity test, but he won’t make her have one until it’s safe enough for the baby.”
“Never mind Hunter’s problems. Tell me about Dori. How’s she handling this?”
“Drowning herself in work, not eating or sleeping, and working out to the point of obsession. Like I said, Jami. I’ve never seen her so broken.
“She’s barely speaking to me about it, claiming our time is to be all about me. Something about her being selfish. Blah, blah, blah. I think she’s afraid to open her mouth for fear she’ll break down if she acknowledges how she feels.”
I want to run to Dori and help her through this, but I don’t know what good it will do. She hasn’t contacted me, so who’s saying she wants my help?
“What should I do, Mel? I need some guidance because I have an uncanny ability to fuck up with her. Somehow, I always get it wrong and end up hurting her. I don’t want to do it again.”
“This time, you won’t. Go to her and show her you care. Show her you can hold space for her while she leans on youfor support. I’m not saying anything will change between you two, but when she was falling apart over you, Hunter won her over by listening to her talk about you.”
My lungs deflate. “That sounds like I’m trying to manipulate her. I’m not going to do that.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. Go to her and be a good friend. You tell her you’ll always be there for her if she ever needs you. Well, that time is now.”
Mel takes me by the shoulders and spins me to the door. “She went home about an hour ago, saying she had a massive headache. Hunter’s been out of town all week, so she’s not with him.”
I take another second to think about it—Mel’s right. If Dori needs someone, I should go to her.
“Wish me luck.” I hug Mel. “Let’s keep in touch. Okay.”
She pushes out of my arms. “Yeah, yeah. I know you can’t live without me, so I’ll make sure I reach out once we’re both in Miami.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Go now or all bets are off.”
Newfound hope takes hold. I grab my belongings and rush out the door. I have no idea what I’m going to say to Dori, but I have a feeling I will the second I see her.
My heart jackhammers as I knock on Dori’s loft door, praying she’ll answer it. Metal scrapes against the other side of the wood, telling me she’s removing the security chain. The door swings inward. Dori comes into view wrapped in a robe and with her hair in a messy bun.
“Jami, I didn’t expect to see you before you left.” She opens the door wider. “Come in.”
“Hey, Dori.” I step into her loft. She has the curtains drawn and only a light on her nightstand is turned on. “It’s a little dark in here for two o’clock in the afternoon. Is everything okay?”
She closes the door and gestures for my coat. “I had a headache and thought the darkness would help.”
I remove my jacket, and she hangs it on a coat rack near the entryway.
She drags her feet as she goes into the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?”
I hate seeing her in so much pain.
