Chapter 15 #3
“Mmm… Yes, you could say that. He inherited money from his father. He took me home and was a perfect gentleman. All very sweet. Let me show you. I managed to snap a single photograph when he wasn’t looking. Apparently, pictures are dangerous weapons.”
How many times in one day could she roll her eyes? She flicked her finger across the screen, sighing as she did. It was obvious she wasn’t thrilled about the guy.
“There’s no denying Miska is handsome, but the yacht was… Too much,” she breathed and showed me the photograph she’d taken on the dock. Her date stood off to the side with a phone in his hand, the name of the ship splashed creatively across the stern. Lady Isabelle. Beautiful.
I thought the yacht was incredible, but I had a feeling Tawny was comparing the man to her father.
“Very nice,” I told her.
“Yeah, he was trying to be sweet.” She tossed the phone into her purse as if disgusted.
Sweet wasn’t a word she used very often. And she seemed… odd. Just odd.
“O-kay. Is there a but in this discussion?”
She looked toward the skyline once again. Up until a day ago, she’d begged me not to get too close to the edge. Now she was openly gazing at the tall buildings. The date had rattled her.
“It was a few things he said, like approving of the choice. Something like that.”
“Did you ask him what he was talking about?” I munched on my salad even though a knot formed in my stomach. My bestie wasn’t herself today.
“I did, but he passed it off with a smile and saying we were a good match and nothing more.” She flipped the lettuce, moving the food around the plastic tin aimlessly.
“But you don’t believe him.” I continued munching but noticed her hand was shaking when she took a bite.
“There’s no reason not to believe him.”
“How did you meet again?”
Tawny offered one of her eat-shit-and-die looks while forking the salad to death.
“I think your salad is dead.” I laughed when she stared at me blankly. “You spear your food when you’re upset.”
“Ugh,” she mused, pushing the plastic away. “My father did one of his things. You know. Hey, a buddy of mine has a fantastic and talented son. We met for coffee. Remember?”
“That’s right. So, your dad is trying to fix you up again.” Her father was old-fashioned as hell. That much I knew about him, even if I’d yet to meet him. The man was always too busy and Tawny wanted nothing to do with the mean rich girl life. Her words.
“Yeah, which I should be used to.” Her words were stilted and said as if we’d talked about this before.
“But something was different this time.”
“Yeah, I guess. I liked him at first. We went out to coffee and he was funny and made me laugh. He listened and he was easy to talk to.”
Now she was repeating herself as if a script had been given to her.
“Then what changed?”
“I don’t know. Don’t get me wrong. He’s not like the man whose name you won’t let me say.” At least she was able to tease. She knew exactly what I wanted to do with the asshole she’d been so into. Abusive prick.
“But…”
She grabbed her drink, sucking on the straw.
“Just something I couldn’t put my finger on.
As if the future had all been planned out.
Our wedding. Where we’d live. How many kids we were going to have.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m crazy. But at least he’s rich.
You can always tell by the cut of suit they wear. You taught me that.”
Yes, I had. My thoughts drifted straight to Stash.
“Why don’t you call your dad and clear the air?”
With a single eyebrow lifted, she wagged her finger. “You know I’ll get a lecture on pick a topic of the week.”
“Maybe, but if he answered questions the way we hope, then maybe you won’t need to worry about wasting all that money or being forced to pick out your wedding dress.”
“You’re such a brat.”
“And you’re such a bitch. I’ll think about it. Let’s talk about something else.”
Hmm… The knot was only increasing in size, but I knew better than to push her. That only caused her to shut down.
“Let’s eat,” I threw out, trying to brighten the mood. “Not only am I starving, but I’m working on a very special report for Napoleon.”
Tawny chuckled. “Napoleon? You’re not talking about your boss since instead of being five foot, that sexy Russian is six foot five. One day you’re going to confess you had a little fling with him.”
A complete shudder tore through me and I resisted making all the gruesome sounds that could easily slip from my lips. “Then that day the sky will be orange. His size is in his attitude.”
“That I’ll buy. Does that mean you’re getting along?”
She caught me mid-bite, which allowed me to think while chewing. “A little better. I told him I was more than just an assistant. He said prove it. I will and when I do, I’m going to get a promotion.”
“You go, girl,” Tawny whistled, even pumping her fist as if in solidarity. “After that, you ask him out on a date.”
Her words instantly choking me, I reached for my iced tea while giving her the evil eye. “Not… a… chance. I can’t stand the man.”
“Then why is your face so red?”
I grabbed a cucumber, pitching it at her. “Stay in your own lane. Now, tell me more about this mystery man.”
The vibrating buzz caught our attention. As soon as she picked up her phone, she groaned. “I need to cut this short. We have a new client coming in today and my boss wants me to be there. Lowly copy girl herself. But who knows. Maybe both our careers are looking up.”
“Maybe. I’ll clean up.”
“Thank you. I have to work tonight. A special fight, but I’ll call you later and fill you in with the other juicy details.” She flipped her hair as she walked away, her signature move.
A special fight.
Why did I suddenly have a feeling something was about to go terribly wrong?