Page 98 of Playing For Keeps
“Because you got quiet. I thought you might be… I don’t know. It was just another insecurity of mine surfacing.”
I pat his chest. “You have nothing to be insecure about.”
“I’m not insecure about most things, but when it comes to you, I want to get it right.” He huffs out a laugh. “I’ve been known to fuck things up with you on more than one occasion.”
“Let’s just keep talking about things as they come up, and we’ll be good.”
“There’s still the issue of Aiden. He might not ever be okay with our relationship.”
My stomach fills with anxious dread. “I know.”
“You want him in your life, and being with me might prevent that. If he doesn’t come around and accept us, where does that leave us?”
“He won’t stop me from being with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I take a deep breath. “I’m upset that he’s making this about how we betrayed him, when the truth is this strain between us is because of him. He let my dad run his life and did all of his wrongdoings for money. That’s the part I can’t get over.”
Jami and I sit with that for a moment.
He jumps out of bed, his eyes beaming with excitement. “Dori, I have an idea. If it works, it will fix everything.”
CHAPTER 23
JAMISON
I bouncemy knee up and down under my desk in my office at home. “When do you think it will be ready?”
“We should have the ring done by tomorrow morning. Should we expect you to stop by and pick it up?” my jeweler asks.
“Yes. Is noon a good time?”
“It should be fine.”
“Great. I’ll see you then.”
We say goodbye, and I glance at the clock. I only have half an hour before I need to take Dori to the airport, and there’s still a lot to do.
I scroll through my phone and bring Hunter’s number up. Gazing out the window toward the beach, I hit the call button as I run my palm over the stubble on my face.
He answers on the second ring. “Jamison. What can I do for you?”
“Hey, Hunter. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No. I’m just wrapping up a few things before I go work out, so your timing is perfect.”
The muscles over my ribs tighten. “Do you have a few minutes to discuss a couple of things?”
“I do.” He pauses for a beat. “What’s this about, Jamison?”
“Dori.”
“Ah, I see. She must have told you we spoke yesterday.”
“She did.”
“Before you go any further, I’ll save you some time. I’m not taking the money back. If it weren’t for me and my mother, Dorothy never would’ve been terminated or abducted.”
