Page 129 of Playing With Secrets
DORI
Jami’spained gaze stares back at me.
“Jami, I’m not saying I don’t want Aiden to know about us. I just want him to get used to the idea before we dump all of it in his lap. He’s still recovering, and he’s been uptight lately.”
Good God, I didn’t think I’d be so nervous about telling Aiden.
Jami nods and his brow furrows. “I didn’t think about that. Do you think I should wait to tell him?”
“Why? So we can wait for him to find out by accident? No, we need to tell him.” I suck up my fear and step into my bravery.
Jami’s gaze travels around the room. “Okay, so I’ll tell him how I feel about you first. Then how long before we tell him about us?”
“That’ll depend on how he handles it. If Aiden picks up everything and flies out here to confront us, then we do it at that time. If he calls me and asks, I’ll do it then. I just don’t want to lay it all out on one phone call.”
My belly flips with the realization this is really happening. Jami’s going to lay it all on the line and fight for me. It gives me reason to pause.
I’m soaking up the moment when my phone rings. I dig into my pocket and pull it out.
Jami gestures to my phone. “Who’s calling you so late?”
“It’s Hunter.”
Jami gets up and jogs to the staircase that leads upstairs.
I toss my phone on the coffee table. “I’m not going to answer it, so you don’t have to leave the room.”
“It’s not that. I left my phone in my office upstairs. I haven’t checked it in a while. My team works late and I’m usually available. I’ll be right back.” Jami takes two stairs at a time as he disappears upstairs.
I get off the couch and peek at the upper level. It’s spacious from what I can see.
I wonder if it is anything like Hunter’s apartment.
Dammit!
Why did he have to call and bring himself into this moment?
“What’s that look for?” Jami comes into view as he crosses through an open loft area.
“Nothing.” I turn away and try to ignore the pang of guilt that just appeared in my chest.
“It’s not nothing when I can tell you’re struggling with something.” He hops down the stairs. “If you want this to work, the first thing you’re going to do is learn to lean on me when something is bothering you.”
He reaches me and bends over, planting a kiss on my lips. My smile erupts at the gesture.
“That was sweet.” I take his hand and lead him back to the couch. “You’re right. I need to be honest with you. Hunter’s call just took me out of the moment and I felt guilty for a second.”
“Why are you feeling guilty?” Jami waits for me to take a seat, then joins me, sitting close.
He slides his arm around my neck and pulls me into his chest. I take a second to figure out how to phrase my thoughts.
“I don’t want to hurt Hunter. He’s been good to me.” My face is against Jami’s heart, and it pounds harder.
His arm tightens around my shoulder like he’s protecting me. “He’s also scared the living shit out of you on occasion, so don’t glamorize it all.”
“I’m not saying he doesn’t have faults, but after everything I’ve done to him, can you blame him?”
Jami tenses underneath me and I realize what I’ve said.
