Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
JAMISON
Isabella slides into the limo. “You look amazing this evening, Jamison.”
Fidgeting with my cufflinks, I stand next to the door of the car. “As do you.”
She looks great in her black form-fitting ball gown. It’s too bad, I barely react. I’m sure it’s a small blow to her ego.
I join her in the backseat with firecrackers exploding in my chest. Isabella swore to me Dori would be here tonight. I’ve asked numerous times, and the answer is always a resounding yes.
Our drive to the ball is relatively short. Thankfully, we keep our conversation to a minimum because I’m too nervous to focus on anything but finding Dori.
We pull into the event center’s entrance. Limos line the street. I’m taken aback that this many people would attend an event three days before Christmas, but who am I to judge? This is the gambling industry and betting never stops.
We get into the check-in area about ten minutes later. Isabella excuses herself to use the bathroom. My guess is she’s searching for Hunter. It’s no skin off my back because I’m scanning the check-in tables as soon as she leaves, looking for any sign of Dori.
I make my way to a common area where the ballroom and bathrooms adjoin, and wait for Isabella to come out of the restrooms. I glance at my watch. It’s only ten o’clock, so the night’s still young.
The holiday music from the ballroom spills out into the waiting area. The rooms have been decorated in red and white with silver accents.
Classy.
The area is also dimly lit like only candles illuminate the place. It’s not in my favor because it’s hard to make out people in the distance.
I turn on my heels as Hunter comes out of the washroom. He’s alone, but I need to get his attention so Isabella can entertain him.
I’m desperate to find Dori and speak to her for a moment without Hunter interfering. I hurry to get to him before he’s sucked up into the larger dancing hall.
“Hunter. Can I have a word?” I tap his shoulder to get him to turn around.
He stiffens, then slowly faces me. “Jamison. Happy Holidays. I’m surprised to see you.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t planning on coming, but Isabella needed a date, so here I am.”
His Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he swallows. “Isabella’s here?”
“Yeah. I’m waiting for her to come out of the restroom. She should be out any second.”
He slides his hands in his pockets and grows a tad taller. “I didn’t know you and Isabella were…close.”
“We’re friends. We got to know each other that night you had me intercept her dinner with Dori so she wouldn’t find out about you two. Isabella wanted to come tonight. I had nothing better to do, so here I am. ”
He stares at me stone-faced. Almost like he wants to say something but knows it’s not in his best interest.
I let him sit in uncomfortable silence for a second. “Speaking of Dori, you wouldn’t by chance?—”
“There you are. And look who you delivered to me on a platinum platter.” Isabella slinks up to us and holds out her hand to Hunter. “You look smashing.”
He glances at her hand and shudders. It was slight, so I don’t think she caught on, but I did. Something about Isabella makes his skin crawl. It’s likely the fact she could bury him alive by telling Dori about their night together.
He ignores her gesture and gives her a dip of his chin. “Isabella. It’s good of you to take time from your schedule to support the event. Anytime one of our sponsors makes an appearance, we get five more to join the cause.”
She flashes a smug smile. “Of course. Anything for Efron Worldwide.”
He nods, and his gaze slides between us. “If you two will excuse me, I need to get back to Jonah and his date. I promised her a dance while he relieves himself.”
He disappears into the ballroom. I didn’t think he’d want to spend time with Isabella, but I didn’t expect him to be blatantly cold with her. Something tells me there’s more to the story.
“What was that about?” I turn to her.
She’s staring dumbfounded at the opening of the ballroom. “The hell if I know.”
“I thought you said you knew what you were doing.”
She glares my way. “I do. We must have caught him at a bad moment.”
“I have to ask. Have you spoken to him since that night I saw you going to his place?”
She shrugs. “Briefly. I went to his office to talk, but Ava showed up in the middle of our conversation and caused a scene. What’s with that woman? ”
“They have some agreement. She uses Hunter for her gain. My guess is you’re cramping her style.” I scan the area for signs of Dori.
“Nothing comes easy when you’re trying to land a billionaire,” Isabella says without batting an eye.
Is that what Dori wants deep down?
My brows crease. “Is that all you want? His money?”
She shakes her head. “I want him. The money is a nice secondary gain.”
“And if he didn’t have money? Then what?”
She studies me for a minute. “Jamison Stone, are you trying to tell me you’re interested in me?”
The laugh comes out of my mouth so fast it shocks even me. “Sorry. The idea of you and me isn’t what got me. It’s just that I only picture myself with Dori, so anyone else is a ridiculous notion.”
“You’re lucky I’m not easily offended. Now, let’s go get a drink and find the two people we want to spend the night with before I spit in your face.”
I lead her into the ballroom, her arm hooked to mine. Low, muffled voices and laughter blend in with the classical holiday music. I search the ballroom for Dori, but I don’t find her.
We get to the cocktail line, which must be twenty people deep. The line moves forward as a man steps away from the bartender. It’s Patrick Efron. We make eye contact, and he strolls toward me and Isabella.
“Jamison. It’s nice to see you.” He dips his chin at Isabella. “And who might your beautiful companion be?”
“Patrick, this is Isabella Carter. She works for Sacks Commodities.” I give her a nod. “Isabella, this is Patrick Efron. Hunter and Jonah’s father.”
Isabella’s eyes light up. “Patrick, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I see where your sons get their good looks.”
He chuckles. “You’d be surprised how often I hear that. ”
“I bet.” Isabella gets closer to him. “Where’s your date? I’d love to meet her.”
“I’m here alone.” Patrick glances at me. “We can’t all have dates or these things would be dreadfully boring.”
“Oh, my. Do I sense a man who likes to stir things up? If so, I’d be happy to help.” She bats her lashes.
It’s becoming glaringly obvious Isabella would take Patrick if Hunter won’t accept her advances. Would she take Jonah? It’s highly likely.
She might say it’s not about the money, but I know her type. Working for Mateo taught me that much. She wants the billions anyway she can get them, and if she knew I have that status, I’d be in her sights too.
Patrick sends her a polite smile. “Isabella, I would take you up on your offer, but you already have a date.”
“Jamison and I are only here as friends. He’s interested in Dori, so you see, I’m available.” She touches Patrick’s forearm.
His brows narrow as his gaze finds me. “What’s this about you and Dori?”
There’s an angry inflection in his tone. Why is he suddenly interested in what I do or who I see? Can she not date contractors?
“Dori and I aren’t dating, if that’s what you thought. We had a disagreement the other day, and I was looking for her to make amends.” I shoot Isabella a tread lightly glance.
Patrick inches closer. “I can see why anyone would be interested in Dori. She’s a beautiful and intelligent woman. But if you aren’t thinking about dating her, then why would Isabella believe you were?”
Isabella interjects. “Patrick, you misunderstood me. I was merely saying Jamison and I aren’t together. Dori popped into my mind because Jamison was seeking her out to apologize. It was nothing more than that. On that note, have you seen her tonight?”
Patrick eyes us suspiciously. “I have, but it’s probably best if you wait to discuss your disagreement. This is a company function. I’d hate for any of the employees to be put in an uncomfortable position. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to spend some time with my sons.”
Maybe Dori is contractually bound not to date contractors because he clearly wants me to stay far away from her.
He leaves, and Isabella glances my way. “Did you do something to piss him off?”
“Not that I’m aware of, but let’s not tell anyone else we speak to tonight that I’m looking for Dori. I don’t know if it comes off well.”
“I’d say.” Isabella shakes her head.
“Why did you shake your head?” The line moves and we take another step closer to the bar.
“The energy in the room is off tonight. I expected laughter and light conversations, making it easy to flirt. But it’s tense and standoffish. It’s tripping me up.”
I nod and consider what she said. She’s not wrong. Hunter’s lack of reception didn’t surprise me, but Patrick Efron’s did.
As we slowly make our way to the front of the line, my neck and shoulders tighten, and my stomach fills with anxious butterflies. I become increasingly on edge.
The more I think about it, Patrick’s response about Dori wasn’t because she can’t date contractors. She would’ve told me if that was in her contract. I’m sure of it.
Maybe Hunter came clean with his dad about how he feels about Dori. Why else would Patrick care if I talked to her? But why would Hunter put Dori’s job at risk like that?
My mind reels with all the reasons when a familiar laugh grabs my attention. I spin to see a very made-up Melanie speaking to one of her team members. She may not talk to me, but I have to try.
“Isabella, I need a word with Melanie. Do you mind getting yourself a drink? ”
“I guess not. Nothing else is going as planned, so you might as well do what you need.” She waves me off.
“Thanks.” I hurry to Melanie.
She doesn’t see me coming until the last second, and her eyes nearly fall out of her sockets. Her coworker excuses himself and I take advantage.
“Hi, Mel. You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” She takes a step back. “What do you want, Jami?”
“Can I have a minute of your time?”
“You’re already taking one. Say what you need to say so I can get back to my date.”
Yeah, she’s still furious with me. That means I better get straight to the point.
“Look, I know you and Dori think what I did around my son and ex is unforgivable, but there’s a reason I kept the information from Dori.”
Melanie rolls her eyes and folds her arms across her chest. “You’re wasting my time. If you don’t figure out something better to give me, I’m walking away.”
I give a few quick nods, showing her I’m taking her seriously. “Is there any way I can talk to Dori about this before you? She needs to hear it from me.”
“No shit, Sherlock. You should’ve done that months ago.” Mel peeks over her shoulder, then turns back to me. “Hurry up, Jami. My date’s on his way over here.”
I scan around her but don’t see anyone except Jonah coming toward us. He’s standing before us in seconds.
“Jamison. My dad said you were here.” He places his glass on the table we’re standing by. “Where’s your date, Isabella? I’d love to say Happy Holidays.”
“What? You brought her here?” Melanie’s eyes bulge. She twists to Jonah. “I told you she’s bad news. If you can’t see that she’s working some scheme now, I don’t know what it will take to convince you. ”
“Calm down, baby girl. I never said I didn’t believe you. All I said was, let’s wait to see what she’s up to.” He slides his arm around Mel’s waist and pulls her close.
He kisses her cheek and then faces me. Their interaction is out of context and has me frozen in confusion. I blink to take it in.
Melanie and Jonah?
Since when?
I shuffle back a couple of steps. “Wait. Are you two each other’s dates?”
Jonah juts out his chin. “Don’t be so surprised, Jamison. You had your chance. Oh, wait. That’s right, you couldn’t date her because of the other interests you have.”
“Jami, if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to share a dance with Jonah. You and I aren’t getting anywhere, anyway. Have a good rest of your night.”
She takes Jonah’s hand and begins to stroll away, but she turns back to me. “Isabella? Really? I thought you had better taste than that.”
They stride away, holding hands, and blend in with the rest of the crowd in seconds. I don’t have time to recover from the shock. The bizarre interactions continue to hit—one after another, like bombs going off on a battleground.
Douglas Aldridge joins me at my side. “Jamison. Happy Holidays.”
“Good evening, Douglas,” I say in a daze.
“Any plans for the small break we have before the app launches?” He shakes his glass and the ice clinks against the side.
“Um…yeah. I’m having dinner with a friend. You?” I try to focus on him but can’t help scanning around him.
If Mel’s here, Dori’s here, and I’m going to find her. It’s just a matter of when.
Douglas follows my gaze for a minute. “I’m celebrating with Ava and the rest of my family. If I remember correctly, you’ve met my daughter?”
“I have. We had dinner not too long ago.”
“She did mention that. Now that she and Hunter have broken up, there’s room for her to meet someone new. Maybe someone like you.”
I stop searching for Dori, and my stomach tightens.
Ava and Hunter broke up?
What the fuck is happening tonight?
It’s like I’m in an alternate universe.
I give Douglas my full attention, using the interaction in my favor. “Douglas, is there a clause in the executives’ contracts that states they can’t date a contractor of Efron Worldwide?”
Douglas takes a drink of his cocktail. “No. Why do you ask?”
“Just curious, is all.”
“Hmm. I see.” He glances at Patrick, who happens to be strolling by. “You may be wasting your time, Jamison.”
My brows narrow. “What do you mean?”
“If you’re asking because you are interested in Dori Fisher, you may be too late.”
“Why would you say that?”
“No reason.”
I’m putting the puzzle pieces together when Gerald Dupree joins us. Now I’m in a small circle with Patrick Efron’s two best friends and Patrick hovering on the sidelines.
“Good evening, you two.” Gerald glances at Douglas and then faces me. “The event is well attended this year. Many faces of people I didn’t expect to see.”
“I’d have to agree.” Douglas pats Gerald’s shoulder. “My daughter just showed up. Jamison, if you have some space on your dance card, I’m sure Ava would be delighted to take a spin with you. ”
“I’ll be sure to find her later.” I force a smile and peek over my shoulder.
Ava’s swaying our way with stars in her eyes. Her dad goes to welcome her. They stop for a second, then both look my way as Douglas says something in her ear.
Gerald clears his throat. “Jamison, can I help you out a little?”
I turn back and face him. “Help me out, how?”
“I’m not sure you’re aware of this, but the Efrons, Aldridges, and the Duprees are long, steadfast friends. We have each other’s backs, no matter the cause.” His eyes lock with my gaze. “In this case, it’s the Efrons’ turn to get what they want.”
What the fuck?
As I spin into oblivion, Isabella comes to my side. “Sorry I was gone for so long. I saw Melanie and Dori and wanted to say hi.”
Adrenaline shoots through me just hearing her name. “You saw Dori? Where?”
Isabella smiles at Gerald, then addresses me. “She was going into the restroom when I left them, but that was a few minutes ago. You might have missed her because I heard Melanie say their car was waiting outside as they walked away.”
“Shit!”
I take off in a hurry. If I miss my chance to speak to Dori tonight, I won’t get another one until she comes back to work.
My heart rate speeds as I rush to the coat check and scan the area. She’s not there, so I run out the front doors, and there she is. Everything else fades away.
I yell to get her attention. “Dori! Wait!”