Page 3 of Playing With Secrets
“Hunter, you’re right on time.” She pulls the door wide open. “Please come in.”
“We don’t have time, Ava. Let’s get downstairs and get your media fix over with. I’ve got a lot to do tonight.”
“Very well. Just let me get my purse.” She turns away, so I hold the door open.
She takes her sweet time getting her belongings. It’s her way of trying to get me to step inside her suite.
She doesn’t get it. A relationship with her won’t happenever again. She may be beautiful on the outside, but she is ugly to the bone inside.
We’ve had moments when we’ve gotten along, but that changed when I told her all aspects of our relationship were over. That only caused her to dig her heels in.
She still has too much hanging over my head. She uses it to her advantage and runs me around like a puppet.
Her blue eyes shine as she strolls out of her room. “You look incredibly handsome tonight.”
“Thank you. As usual, you’re stunning. There’s no doubt the media will eat you up.” I place my hand on the small of her back and let the façade begin.
We join the event holding hands and laughing as if we’re the strongest couple here. My hand burns because Ava’s isn’t the one I want to be holding.
It reminds me that Dorothy and I can’t do this in public. If we could, I have a feeling Jamison would be a moot point.
Douglas Aldridge approaches me and his daughter. “Hunter, how are you doing this evening?”
He holds out his hand, so I shake it. “Very well, thank you. Any night Ava and I are able to share time makes for a wonderful mood.”
“Hi, darling. You look beautiful.” He leans to her and kisses her cheek, admiring her red formfitting dress.
“Thanks, Daddy.”
They share a few pleasantries while I search for an opening to leave them alone. Colton Monroe comes into view and a surge of jealousy races through me. The last time I saw him he was hitting on Dorothy. Ava steals my attention with a gasp.
“Oh, there’s Melinda Jost. Excuse me while I go say hi. She and I have been playing phone tag.” Ava flits away without waiting for a response.
“You and Ava seem to be frequenting these events moreoften. I’m curious what your intentions are with my daughter.” Douglas shifts so we’re face-to-face.
“We enjoy spending time together. She’s a beautiful woman.”
“That she is. Are you two getting serious?”
This is a tricky question. Her dad is one of my father’s best friends and the strict ethics advisor on our board. If I make one mistake, it could end poorly for me. Something Ava keeps reminding me about.
“Ava and I are taking our time. Since she moved, the distance between us makes it difficult to take our relationship to the next level.”
He studies me and nods. “Understood, but if you want to grow your relationship, consider asking her to move back. You two have dated on and off for years.”
“I’m not so sure Ava would take that kind of suggestion well.”
“Who knows? It might be worth it to try. Maybe it’s time to make your relationship last. She’s hinted that she wouldn’t mind something more permanent with you. If that’s what you want, you have my blessing.”
“That’s nice to hear, Douglas. If we get to that point, I’ll let you know.” The thought has my skin crawling. “Are there any board rules I should know about if I choose to get serious with her?”
It sounds as if I’m making a joke, but there’s a reason for my question. I fake a laugh and let the games begin.
He chuckles and pats my shoulder. “Oh, Hunter, at least you’re staying true to yourself and calculating all your risks.”
“That I am. I thought I should ask, considering the clause of dating within Efron Worldwide is in place for the executives.” I shrug. “It’s best to make sure.”
“True, but as far as that goes, there are no rules about dating relatives of the board members.”
