Chapter 22 #2
“Sorry, that sounded creepy. My grandma keeps trying to set me up on dates. A couple weeks ago, she started going on and on about, well, you. She showed me a picture. And now I sound creepy again. It was from your social media. My grandma isn’t a stalker.”
“She must know Louise Haven,” Natalie said. “She’s the one who always wears a velour tracksuit.”
“I think they’ve been conspiring against us.”
“I think you’re right.”
My back tightened at the flirtatiousness in Natalie’s voice. Fucking Julian. What a prick.
“I saw you at the Snowflake Ball,” he said. “I was going to introduce myself, but it looked like you were with someone.”
Natalie groaned. “That was a very brief, and I mean extremely temporary, mistake.”
I bit the inside of my lower lip to keep from commenting.
“Oh really?” Julian asked, and even through the earpiece, I could hear the hopefulness in his tone.
“Really. He’s just this guy from out of town. He’s not even here anymore. That was the one and only time we ever went out.”
“That’s, um… that’s good to hear.”
“You have him in the palm of your hand,” I said quietly.
She sighed. “Yeah, I don’t know. I keep thinking I should give up on dating. Or maybe just give in and let Louise Haven set me up with someone.”
“That’s not the worst idea,” he said. “Depending on who he is.”
“It would definitely depend on who he is,” she said, her tone laced with suggestion.
“Tell me this,” he said. “What are you looking for?”
“Bloody hell, he just handed it to you,” I said. “Remember what we know about him.”
We’d discussed the summary of Maple’s findings at length, as well as pored over his social media accounts together. We knew his interests—things like art, history, travel—and we also knew he liked attention. He was a man quite concerned with appearing sophisticated.
The light flirtation in her laugh was perfection.
“What am I looking for? That’s actually a good question.
I guess I’m looking for someone smart and interesting.
Successful, but not so he can wine and dine me.
Someone who likes to talk about things besides sports and cars.
Who’s willing to let me get to know him.
Share what fascinates and interests him. ”
“You’re fucking brilliant,” I said. “Subtle but leading him in the right direction.”
“Wow, that was a lot,” she said. “You probably didn’t mean for me to get that deep. Especially while we’re standing here in the gym.”
“No,” he said, his voice emphatic. “That’s exactly what I meant. And you should know what you want. I love that.”
“Thanks.”
“So maybe we don’t need to wait for the town matchmakers to do their thing,” he said.
“No?”
I looked through the binoculars again. He was leaning in, closing the distance between them. My lip curled in a sneer.
“I’d like to have dinner with you,” he said. “Actually, I’d like to cook for you. No wining and dining. Just two people getting to know each other.”
She hesitated. “We just met. You can’t blame me if I’m a little hesitant to come to your house.”
“I understand. But there’d be no pressure. Besides, Louise Haven thinks you should go out with me, so…”
“That’s true. She does.” She hesitated again. “Okay, Julian. I’ll have dinner with you. But so we’re clear, just dinner.”
“Absolutely. Just dinner. Are you free tomorrow?”
“I am, as a matter of fact.”
“Great.”
I waited while they exchanged numbers and made a date for six the following evening. I was torn between triumph and indignation. Natalie had performed beautifully, her suggestion so subtle he thought having dinner at his place was his idea.
“There’s a gate,” he said. “Just pull up, and I’ll buzz you in.”
“Okay.”
“I should let you get back to your workout,” he said.
“Yes, my workout,” she said. “I’m just here for a short one today.”
“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“It’s a date,” she said.
I looked again and watched her move to the cardio area and get on a treadmill.
“I want to get out of here, but I guess I have to work out now,” she whispered.
“Unfortunately, you’re about to get a phone call and have to leave.”
“Perfect.”
I picked up my phone and called.
“Hey,” she answered.
“Hello, darling. There’s a dire emergency here in the parking lot.”
“Oh no, what’s going on?”
“I had to listen to you flirt with another man. Now I’m incensed.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right there.”
“I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
“No, it’s fine.” She got off the treadmill and started toward the door. “I’m on my way.”
She emerged from the building. I ended the call as she hurried toward me, leaping over a hill of plowed snow. She got in and smiled, her eyes shining with excitement.
“I did it. I can’t believe I did it.”
“You were brilliant.” I pulled out of the parking spot and drove onto the street. “I knew you would be.”
She let out a breath. “I thought for sure he was going to ask me to coffee or something.”
“No, you planted the perfect seed. Besides, he wants to show off. If I had to bet, he’s thinking he’ll be the one to wine and dine you the right way.”
“That’s what I was thinking too.”
“You have good instincts.”
“Thanks. Let’s hope I can pull off the next step. Having dinner at his house is going to be a much bigger deal than flirting at the gym. And I don’t want to have to do this twice. If he’s not involved with the necklace, I don’t want to lead him on.”
“You won’t have to. I only need one shot. I’ll find out the truth.”
She smiled. “Okay. Is it bad that that was kind of fun?”
“Not bad at all. You’re good at this.” I glanced at her. “I’m glad I have you as my partner.”
Her smile was like the sun breaking through the clouds on an icy cold day. “Me too.”
The trap was set. Soon, it would be time to spring it.