Page 21 of Seventeen Years Ago

“He’s on the schedule to meet with you again on Thursday,” I said.

She crossed her arms. “I meant socially. Unless you don’t feel comfortable talking about him with me.”

There was no right answer to that question. “It’s not that. I...but it was only lunch.”

“And you don’t want to see him again?”

“I do. I...am. We are having dinner tonight,” I admitted.

“At New Hope?” I shook my head and she asked, “In town?”

“I invited him to my house for dinner,” I said.

Instantly she shook her head. “Oh no you’re not! You told me your grandmother is visiting her sister. You cannot bring a stranger to your house. You two can have dinner with me and Finn.”

“What? I can’t do that. I’ll...I’ll cancel.”

“You’ll do no such thing. We’d love to have the two of you over for dinner. Finn always cooks more food than the two of us can possibly eat. If you’d rather, we can invite Caydan and Allyson to join us as well,” she offered.

Goodness. I didn’t want anyone to know.

“I’m sure they have plans.”Like I did.It was thoughtful of Reesa to invite us, but I won’t be able to ask Steven the type of questions I needed to ask in front of them. It would sound too much like I was interested in him personally when all I was trying to do was gauge his character. I hadn’t really seen how he was in front of Reesa, but I doubt it was the same conversation he had with me.

“You’re right. They are here celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary. I’m sure they want some alone time. I’ll call Finn and let him know that it will be the four of us.”

Before I could argue, she left and headed back into her office, closing the door.

I slumped over, resting my arms and head on my desk.I should’ve called her and said I was sick today.

Not only were my plans all messed up, but I wasn’t sure Steven was going to agree to go to Reesa’s for dinner. He was here on business, and if he was seeing her tomorrow, he probably didn’t want to spend tonight talking business. I knew I didn’t want to listen to it either.

Or did I? If they discussed whatever project they were working on in front of me, then it wasn’t like Steven had told me. I easily could’ve opened the file that Reesa had me bring to Steven yesterday as well, but ethically, I couldn’t do that. This might just get me a piece of what I was looking for, but I still was going to need to talk to Steven alone for the rest.

The intercom buzzed and I picked up the phone. “Aiza, I just spoke to Finn. He said dinner will be ready at six. Why don’t you take off early and I’ll have a driver pick you up after they pick up Steven?”

“Oh, I haven’t even had a chance to call him yet,” I said, still half hoping he’ll back out.

“Just let him know the driver will pick him up at five o’clock.”

“Okay. I’ll call him now.” I placed the phone back on the receiver and sighed. Now I wasn’t even going to get alone time in the car with Steven.

Is this the universe’s way of telling me I shouldn’t be alone with him? Because I’m starting to think asking him to dinner was a really bad idea.

I dialed his number, and he answered on the first ring. “Hello, Aiza.”

“Hi, Steven. I’m calling about tonight.”

“Canceling?” he asked.

“No. Yes. Well, not canceling, but just a slight change of plans,” I said.

“I’m flexible. Did you need to make it later?”

“It’s not going to be at my house,” I stated.

“That’s fine. I don’t know the island, so I’m sure wherever you pick will be great,” he replied.

“It’s at President O’Connor’s house,” I sighed. “I may have mentioned having dinner with you tonight and she insisted we join them at their home. She said that a driver will be at New Hope to pick you up at five.”

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