Page 103 of Playing With Secrets
We take a minute to get our order together and wait for the server. Isabella twists her hair into a bun and secures it with a hair tie.
“My hair always gets in the way.” She rams a chopstick through her bun. “When in Rome.”
I like her attitude, so I find myself laughing. “It’s great to be out with another woman. Melanie, the one who’s working on your social media campaign, is my best friend. I should’ve invited her out with us.”
“Oh, I asked her, but she had plans with Jamison.”
This news jabs at me like someone’s sticking a chopstick through my heart. “Did she say where they were going? Maybe they haven’t left yet, and I can get them to meet us.”
“You said you need girl time. If you invite them, Jamisonwill come along. We’ll be forced to discuss work issues.” She glances up at the server who just came up to our table.
We place our order and I decide to make this dinner count. She knows things about Hunter and it’s time I figure out how far back they go.
She knocks me off my game by diving in first. “I have to tell you something. When I first met you, I thought you and Hunter were an item, but since you can’t date him, I know better.”
“What made you think we were dating?”
“The way you two interact. There’s chemistry there.”
“But nothing is going on.”
“That means it’s time you help me out. Tell me everything you know about him.” She plays with the straw in her water glass while peering over at me with stars in her eyes.
Oh, she wants him bad.
I try to catch my bearings and stall. “Um…okay. But first, how do you know I can’t date him?”
“I had a meeting with him and asked him. He explained your contract clause to me clearly. He didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about you two. It would cause a ton of undue issues for you.”
“True. But he didn’t say anything to me about it, so it caught me off guard.”
“Why would he tell you? It would only upset you that someone assumed something so dangerous because it could cost you your job.”
I rest against the back of my chair. “I guess you’re right.”
She’s quicker than I like. If I’m going to get the information I want, she can’t be directing the conversation. But once again, she dives in before I can take control.
“This goes back to Hunter, but do you know if Ava is seeing Jamison? I mean, I know he’s going out with Melanie, but does he also date Ava?” Isabella pours some sake into a little cup and lifts it to me. “Here’s to ladies’ night.”
Why does she think Jami and Melanie are dating?
This woman is making me work too hard.
I toast her glass with mine. “Here’s to ladies’ night.”
Too bad she’s causing my brain to explode. Between her question about Hunter and her comments about Melanie and Jamison dating, I think I’m about to blow.
I take a moment to steer this discussion the way I want. “Ava isn’t dating Jamison. He may have taken her out on a date, but he’s not into her.”
“Hmm. That means she might only have eyes for Hunter.” Isabella looks off to the side and considers that for a second.
Now’s my chance to get this thing going in my direction. “It sounds to me like you have a thing for Hunter. I heard Ava and you in the hall the other day. She said you and Hunter have a past relationship. Care to share?”
“We do, but it’s nothing serious. Not unless you’re willing to put in a good word for me.”
“I’m not sure Hunter would take my suggestion if I encouraged him to date you.”
“Why? You two seem to be close.”
