Page 114 of Playing With Secrets
“Yeah, I’ve heard that about him.” My conversation with Mateo comes back to me.
He made it clear Jamison’s into one-on-one contact. Three women at a time isn’t his thing. The poor guy is missing out. Although, when you have Dorothy, you don’t need anyone else.
Her brow furrows. “What did you hear about him?”
“Mateo told me Jamison’s more on the shy side. It’s nothing. I don’t want to talk about him. Let’s talk about how we get back on track.”
“Why would you and Mateo be talking about Jamison?”
“It was nothing but a side comment while we were talking about business.”
She nods, but her eyes hold a suspicious cloud in them. I take a sip of my drink to allow her time to bring up anything that’s causing her concern.
She presses back against the arm of the couch. “Where are things with Ava? I don’t see how your agreement with her is needed. She can get her own media exposure, and you don’t need the information she supplies.”
My adrenaline spikes because this conversation is irrelevant if my mother gets what she wants.
With a soft clink, I set my glass down on the coffee table. “I’m trying, but I can’t get out of that agreement for a while.”
“Why? And how long is a while?”
“Ava needs more time to get noticed. She’s getting closer, so five months tops.”
“Why is it your job to help her? Can’t Jonah do it?”
“Dorothy, Jonah doesn’t travel or attend the events I do. You have to understand.”
She huffs and shakes her head. “Whatever. This conversation isn’t going anywhere. I can’t be with you, anyway.”
“Don’t give up on us, beauty. I don’t want to lose you.”
Our gazes connect, and she has a shield over her eyes. Mystomach hardens and hurt forms in my throat, making it difficult to swallow.
Her grip on the pillow tightens, the soft cotton a stark contrast to the tension in her hands. “Hunter, I have feelings for you, but I care deeply for Jami.”
“How is it possible you still have feelings for him when you two are barely speaking?”
“We’re doing better after our talk last night.” She glances away, but I catch the guilt in her eyes before she does.
Anger rises in me. “Is there something I should know about last night?”
“No.” She keeps her gaze downcast, her cheeks flush as she avoids my eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She looks directly at me. “We talked, and he said he needed time to work on forgiving me. He said we needed to take our time to rebuild our friendship. Then we talked about Melanie and her dating life while we cooked dinner.”
“What does he need to forgive you for? You’ve done nothing wrong to him.”
Dorothy stands and retreats into the kitchen. “After Denver, I blew him off for you. It’s not something he’s going to get over quickly. We crossed a line. I knew it would create this issue, yet I did it anyway.”
“Don’t remind me.” Acid flows through my veins like a battery charging my hostility.
“Sorry. You asked.” She opens the fridge and dips into it, hiding her face from me. “Since we’re on the subject of past lovers. Why don’t you tell me about your time with Isabella?”
“Why would you bring her up?”
“She told us tonight that you two had been together. She was about to go into the details, but Jami switched the subject. So, why don’t you tell me about it?” Dorothy closes the fridge and walks back to me with an iced tea.
