Page 65 of Playing For Keeps
“Not at all. I think you’re great at what you do, but why would you want to come back when you know where it will lead?”
“What does that mean?”
I lean forward and stare hard into her eyes. “It means if you come back to Efron Worldwide, this cycle never ends. I love you. The second you and Jamison have a ripple in your relationship, you’ll come right back to me, and I won’t stop you.”
“That’s not true. Don’t you see, Hunter? I love him. I’vealways loved him, and nothing can change that.” Her gaze darts around my face. “That’s not what this discussion is about. I just want to understand why.”
I take a second to consider everything. Is it my place to take away her dream job? How would it work if she came back? A sliver of hope spears into my weak heart.
What if I don’t have to let her go?
“You’re right. It’s not my place to decide for you. If you want your job back, you can have it.” It’s out of my mouth before I can stop myself. Then I remember something. “I’m surprised you’d want to return.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I can’t imagine Jamison will be too happy if you stay at Efron Worldwide while he’s in Miami, considering your condition.”
Her face bunches up. “What condition?”
Unexpected pain ricochets through my chest. “I was there when Jamison found out about your pregnancy.”
She bites down on her lip then shakes her head. “That was a misunderstanding. I’m not pregnant.”
More hope snakes up my spine. “You’re not.”
“No.” She glances off to the side, releasing a sad sigh. She seemingly centers herself. Then she faces me. “What are you going to do about your son now that Isabella’s in jail?”
Why would Dorothy ask me about that? Maybe she wants to help me raise him like we originally planned. Is she thinking about coming back to Efron Worldwide and me?
It’s highly unlikely, but I need to know for sure. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“What do you mean?”
I tilt my head to the side and study her closely. “Are you reconsidering the choices you’ve made?”
CHAPTER 16
JAMISON
My stomach isa ball of nails, stabbing me with every churn. Dori confronting Hunter about her job is the last thing I want to deal with today, but that’s what I get for keeping it from her in the first place.
I pad out of our room to find Melanie lounging on the couch in the living room, binge-watching some streaming show.
“Hey, Mel. Are you feeling better today?”
She peeks over at me. “Yeah. I don’t know what got into me last night. Sorry you had to deal with that momentary weakness.”
“It’s okay. You’ve been a great friend to both Dori and me. You’ve held us together without asking for any emotional support. It was your turn for us to take care of you.” I nudge her feet so I can sit down.
She scoots to the corner of the couch. “I think I was exhausted. It’s the only thing I can come up with.”
“You don’t need a reason to want your friend's help.”
“Whatever.” She hits a button on the remote to pause her show then faces me. “Now that I have you alone, tell me everything.”
“What’s there to tell?”
“Duh. Dori’s pregnant. That’s got to have you floating in heaven.”
