Page 116 of Love Is an Art
“But I wasn’t dating Zeke when I did that case.” I shrug. “I think we’ve exchanged enough pleasantries for now. Don’t you?” I turn to leave, and Stuffed Shirt grabs my arm.
“I’m serious.”
I pull my arm away. “It’s not true.”
There’s no way he’d do that. Right?
I walk away toward the restroom. Not only Paisley, but Stuffed Shirt too? So much for a fun, relaxing weekend.
As I turn around the corner, Paisley and Zeke are standing off in a gazebo by the woods. She steps closer. They look good together. Zeke is especially attractive in that dark-blue jacket, his white shirt open at the collar. She puts her hand on his chest. He stands still. He doesn’t push her hand away.
My chest hurts.
And there’s a solid back wall of a building here. No door to a bathroom.
Well played, Stuffed Shirt. Well played.
What is Tom’s game here?He wants me to lose my focus at work.Tom is committed to getting this bonus. And he’s more of a foe than I realized.
But I’m done with this drama. I’m not going to just stand by. I walk over to Paisley and Zeke. Zeke has stepped back.
But something clever to say escapes me.
“They’re serving the appetizer. Salad. Dressed,” I say.
“I do hate soggy lettuce,” Zeke says and steps past Paisley. As we walk away, he says, “Thanks for rescuing me.”
“It wasn’t on purpose. Tom sent me here, but I think his plan was for me to see you two together and lose heart.”
Zeke turns to face me. “I’m sorry about all this. I didn’t want to catch that flower. But to let it drop in front of me … I told Paisley how happy I am with you.”
That’s not what it looked like.He didn’t push her hand away. But jealousy is never a good look.
Should I say I’m jealous? Wyatt did say I should be more open about my feelings. But I think he meant my positive feelings. Not my “I’m worried I can’t trust you,” and “I’m jealous and insecure” feelings. It’s not Zeke’s fault that I feel this way.Thanks, Wyatt.I need to figure this out on my own.
“I understand,” I say. “I actually have to go to the ladies’ room, but I’ll see you back at the table.”
“She apologized. She never apologized before. She also said to warn you … that Tom is really out to get this bonus and undermine you. But she didn’t say how.”
“He threatened to disclose my relationship with you to the partnership so that they think I didn’t disclose a conflict.”
Zeke’s face hardens. “That—”
“But you’re not the client. I checked the ethics rules again when we started dating this time. I’m not representing you. Capital Management is the client. It’s not an issue, and it’s only going to reflect poorly on him if he brings it up. Don’t worry.”
As I take my seat at the table, Paisley and Tom walk over.
“We noticed that there are two empty chairs here, and it’s been so long since I’ve caught up with all of you—the Capital work gang.” Paisley waves at Brooke and Ben. “This is Tom. He works at White & Gilman with Tessa, coincidentally.”
Both Ben and Zeke straighten on either side of me like guard dogs. It’s touching.
Tom pulls out Paisley’s chair and takes the seat next to her. Paisley introduces Ben, Brooke, and Sebastian.
There is silence.
Paisley does have guts. But why did she join us? I can understand if she wants Zeke back, but I don’t see Zeke going back to her. ExceptI was planning to propose to her.Was something more said when they met? Something that made her think she has a chance with him?
“Maybe you can flag the waiter and get a salad.” I’m not going to appear concerned. “Since they served our table already.”
