Page 66 of Playing the Game
“Scotch is perfect.” I pick up my glass and hold it out to her. “Cheers to some time alone with you.”
She smiles, lifts her wineglass, and toasts with me. “To our time together.”
Crazed butterflies swarm in my chest. I take a sip of my drink and place it down. “How’s Jamison’s recovery coming along?”
Her cheeks turn a beautiful shade of crimson. “He’s doing good. Cranky as can be, but overall, he’s recovering well.”
“That’s good news.”
“It is, but I don’t think you invited me to dinner to discuss him, so what’s this about?”
My pulse quickens as I stare deep into her eyes. “I miss you and wanted to see you. That’s why I invited you here.”
She shifts back in her chair. “I miss you too.”
We hold each other’s gaze. The room disappears until only she’s in my sight. I suck in a breath because if I lose her for good, I’m not sure I’ll recover.
My mouth gets dry, so I take a swig of my scotch. “I talked with my dad. He’s going to help me get your contract reinstated.”
“Wow. He’s willing to do that after everything he’s heard about me?”
“He is. I’m his son and he wants to see me happy.”
She glances off to the side as a server passes by. “I’m not sure you need to go through all that trouble.”
“Why do you say that?”
She lifts her wine and sips on it.
“Dorothy, please talk to me.”
Her apologetic eyes meet mine. “Because Jami wants me to move to Miami with him, and I’m considering going.”
My heart almost stops beating. “Are you saying you’re moving in with him?”
“No. Not exactly.” She adjusts herself and leans forward against the table. “I’m going to be staying with him while he rehabs. He needs help packing and moving around.”
“And what about Miami?”
“I wouldn’t be moving in with him there. At least, we haven’t talked about that yet.”
The server joins us to take our dinner orders. While Dorothy has her go over the specials, I struggle to grasp how this is taking place. My heart is a broken mess, yet she seems relatively unaffected.
Once the server leaves, I try to give our relationship one last chance. “Please don’t go to Miami.”
“Why? What’s here for me, Hunter?”
“I’m here for you.” I reach across the table, asking for her hand.
She slides her palm into mine and squeezes. “Hunter, I’m sorry, but we can’t go back. Our relationship is over.”
“Are you saying you don’t love me anymore?” My throat tightens and I swallow my despair.
She bites down on her lip and shakes her head.
Confusion envelops me. “No, you don’t love me anymore?”
“My feelings for you haven’t gone away, but it’s different now. Just being here with you makes me feel guilty and like I’m betraying Jami.”
