Page 71 of Playing With Secrets
Knowing Jamison and I were friends before he started working here, and if I have any luck, she’ll think we met Isabella a while ago.
Jamison places his palm on Isabella’s back and directs her toward the door. “Let’s walk to the restaurant together, and you can tell me how Sacks Commodities fits in with a casino company.”
She laughs in a flirty tone. “Easy. We want the global exposure.”
“Well, then tell me about yourself. How long have you worked with Sacks Commodities?” He glances at me and subtly tips his head, telling me he’s handling her.
Thank God!
I take the opportunity to spend more time with Dorothy stepping up to her side. Jonah tosses me a shake of his head. He must suspect something is not right. I’m sure I’m giving off strange vibes.
Jonah and Shane dominate our conversation as we stroll to lunch. I can’t get a word in edge wise. I give up and take thetime to formulate how I’m going to deal with anything thrown my way during our meeting.
We get to lunch, and I have a hard time getting anything down. Dorothy made sure she sat between Isabella and Jamison, so I’m redirecting conversations away from anything personal.
Dorothy’s onto me but doesn’t press for more information about the past. Instead, she continually turns to Jamison and says things to him no one but the two of them can hear.
I don’t know what’s worse. Isabella and Dorothy talking or Jamison and her. He’s being cordial and whispers to her, so I can’t hear all that they’re talking about.
By the time lunch is over, I’m diminished to an eighth of the man I usually am. And by the time the meeting starts, I’m ready for the day to be over. If only that could be my luck.
My goal for tonight is for Dorothy and me to clear the air about our relationship and do it without getting into a fight.
I tap my knuckles against her door. As I wait for her to answer, my hands start to sweat.
I don’t know what has gotten into me other than I haven’t had a good feeling about us for the last few days. Her door swings open and the most beautiful woman in the world stands on the other side.
“Hi, Hunter. Come in.” She steps aside.
“Hello, beauty. Thanks for having me over.” I step to her and give her a kiss on her cheek. “I brought your favorite wine.”
“Thank you. I have some whiskey left from my brother’s visit if you would prefer that instead.” She takes the wine andstrolls into her kitchen. “You can put your jacket on the coat rack.”
“Whiskey would be great.” I take off my coat and throw it on the rack.
I sit on a stool at her kitchen island. It’s only big enough for two people. She really needs to upgrade her place. She can afford a lot more. Better yet, she should move in with me.
“What was that look for, Hunter?” She has her hand on the wine bottle, working a corkscrew into the top.
“I was just thinking you could move into a bigger place. One that has a dining room or more places to sit. You could use a foyer for your coat rack or closet as well.”
“It’s only me, and I like it here. I don’t entertain much because I consider my home a place of sovereignty. It’s special and only people I find worthy can enter.” She smirks and twists the corkscrew into the wine cork.
“In that case, I’m thankful you find me worthy. Who would have guessed you were so snooty?”
“Like your fancy club we sometimes go to, I’m not snooty, just exclusive.” She finishes opening the wine.
“Touché.” As much as I like this banter, I’m dying to get to the point.
I want us back together so I can relax and be myself again. Since I watched the security tapes, I haven’t been the same. Sometimes, I wish I had never ordered those video files.
She grabs the whiskey. “You seem different tonight. Any reason why?”
“I’ve been thinking about how we used to be when we first got together.” My heartbeat picks up. “I’m wondering if we’ll ever get back to that.”
She faces me and twists the cap off the bottle. “How would you describe how it was back then?”
“It used to be when I came over here we would have sex and then relax with each other. You used to be into it. Now, I’m not sure if you want me in the slightest.” My face heats asI work to be as open with her as I can, just as my therapist recommends.
