Page 21 of Bait and Switch
Her question caught me off guard because I didn't know what I was going to do. I hadn't thought much of it. The suffocating aftermath of the hostage situation overshadowed everything else. But before I could fabricate an answer, Glen called from across the bar, “Can I get a refill, Jazzy? It’s my last one.”
I held up a pointed finger to signal Jess that I’d be right back. “You got it, Glen.”
While I poured his rum and coke, I pondered her question: What was I going to do?
Telling Kai was the right thing, the honest thing. But the thought of blowing up our relationship before it even started made me nauseous. Not telling him, on the other hand, was a drama time bomb just waiting to explode. There was no good solution. I liked Kai. A lot. But as literally the only person I could talk to about what had happened, and the terror I felt in its wake, I alsoneededhim right now.
After taking care of a couple more customers, I returned to Jess. She looked less than amused at the guy who’d sat on the stool beside her. “Yes, it really is a cool job,” she said, sounding annoyed. “The thing I don’t like is being away from my fiancé so much.”
“I can help you with that,” he said with a stupid grin.
“Wow,” I said, staring him down. “That’s quite the line.” I was bold, but the dude wasn’t taking a hint.
“Damn, no need to be rude.” He stood up and started to walk away.
Jess stopped him. “What’s rude is suggesting that I cheat on my fiancé with you. For the record, he’s a sexy firefighter who takes care ofallmy needs. You could never fill in for him.”
The guy glared at us both. “Too bad you can’t appreciate flattery. Just so you know, men don’t like that. Good luck, ladies.”
“With lines like that, you’re the one needing luck, buddy,” Jess called after him as he walked away. “What a tool,” she said with a giggle. “Thank God he’s gone. Now you can tell me more about the surprise twin.”
“Surprise is an understatement,” I said, brushing a lock of hair off my face. "It's certainly complicated."
She nodded, with sympathetic eyes. “Awkward as fuck.”
Her understanding was a warm relief, even if I couldn’t tell her everything. “Yeah, I mean, if I’m the only one who knows, then I’m better off keeping it to myself," I said, convincing myself. "Even if Kai could get past it—which is a big if—having it out in the open will only make it awkward for everyone. Right now it’s only awkward for me.”
“That’s tricky,” Jess said before rolling her lower lip between her teeth. “I mean, it might come back to bite you much worse later if you end up in a relationship with the guy.”
“I know,” I said. “But as long as Reef doesn’t remember, maybe it can be my little secret. I barely remember it myself, to be honest.”
Jess raised her bottle. “Here’s to bad memories.” She started to take a swig of beer but stopped just as it reached her lips, and laughed. “That didn’t come out right.”
“I know what you meant,” I chuckled, turning to pour a beer.
I was more concerned about actual bad memory involving the drug dealers who tied us up last night. A desperate heaviness weighed in my chest. What had I gotten myself into? I was trapped in a web, tangled up in a smuggling ring.
Like he’d read my mind, Kai texted.How you doing, beautiful? Hopefully you’re having an uneventful night.
I couldn't help but smile as I typed:All good here, just drunks and fisherman.
One and the same.
His reply made me snort.My phone rang a second later, and gave me butterflies.
“Hey there," I said, grinning despite myself.
"Hey, sorry for calling. I know you must be busy. I just wanted to hear your voice."
My heart sped up, sending a rush through me. "Thank you. I'm glad you called. How was the rest of your day?"
"Good as it could be, I guess." His voice dropped, more in mood than tone. "I'm sorry, Jasmine. About all of this."
"It wasn't your fault," I said, trying to console. "I tried asking around, but it's pretty slim pickings in here tonight," I added, hoping it would help.
It didn't. "That's why I was calling. Don't do that, Jasmine. It's too risky. This is my problem, not yours. And I don’t want to put you in any more danger than I have already. Maybe we should keep our distance until this blows over.”
I replayed the conversation with our captors in my head. Kai never even said my name. They didn’t know anything about me. I might just drop off their radar if I disappeared from his life. It was probably the smart thing to do. Cut and run. My specialty.
