Page 124 of Love Is an Art
It’s not.The first person I see when I arrive at the check-in for the FLAFL dinner in the corridor outside the Aqua Hotel ballroom is Paisley. And Tessa has just texted that she’s running late.
So far, Red Can looks like a solid investment.
And now I have to pretend that I have no issue working with Paisley.
“Hi,” I say. My smile is probably more of a grimace, but I’m trying.
“Zeke.”
Paisley looks genuinely delighted to see me.
“You know, I think this could be a great opportunity to recover our relationship,” she says.
I still.
“I mean our friendship. You never looked at me the way you look at Tessa, so I accept there’s no going back. But we were also good friends as well as lovers, weren’t we?”
“Yes,” I say cautiously. This is like a fricking minefield.
She hooks her arm through mine and pulls me off to the side next to one of the posterboards listing the names of the benefactors. “I’ve decided to help you. I’ve learned so much about the beverage industry since coming on board. It’s fascinating.”
As she shares her insights, I am impressed. This is the Paisley I fell in love with. This smart go-getter. I’d forgotten. I thought I was an idiot for not suspecting she was cheating. I’d questioned why I’d fallen for her, wondering if it wasallfake and false. But it wasn’t. That gives me some comfort. I wasn’t a complete fool.
But she’s missing Tessa’s moral compass.
She reminds me of that one deal we did where we had to scramble to fix the mess Winthrop had created. That was such a crazy time. We both laugh.
This is good. Maybe wecanwork together. Maybe I’m finally over Paisley’s betrayal.
“I just want to say one thing. I know I’m the bad guy here, but I think I knew deep down that something was missing. Probably once you said you didn’t want to move in together,” Paisley says. “Anyway, I’m sorry I hurt you and I’m glad you’re happy now. I’ll see you at the pitch.” She pats me on the arm and pivots away.
I stare at her retreating back.
Maybe I never proposed because something was missing.
Something I’ve now found with Tessa.
Chapter forty
Tessa
ThatwasdefinitelyZekeand Paisley laughing together.
None of that tortured vibe. So that’s good. Less tension. And good for Zeke if he’s over her betrayal.
But is he over her?They seemed so comfortable together. And totally absorbed with each other.
I was about to walk over, but then they laughed and Paisley put her hand on his arm.
He’s been very up front that he’s not over her cheating. There must be a good reason for their meeting. I’m being unnecessarily insecure. Again. He told me he liked me.
I don’t want to be that girl constantly claiming her man.
I pin my name tag to my blazer as I check in at the FLAFL Dinner reception table.
My parents text that they, my sister, Kiara, and her husband are running late because the babysitter hasn’t shown up yet, but they are leaving now. Kiara’s husband will wait for the sitter. White & Gilman invited them to join us at the firm table.
I step away, and there’s Ken.
