Chapter 5
ALEX
Alex stared in the full-length mirror, wrinkling his nose as he tugged the blazer a little tighter around him. He pressed his lips together, desperate to stop the hammering of his heart against his ribs.
Maybe taking Vanessa McGee to lunch wasn’t such a good idea. He puffed out his cheeks as he recalled firing off the email to her about StoneCorp’s interest in her programming skills.
He’d been shocked when she’d answered within a few hours.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and toggled it on, reading the email again.
Mr. Stone - What an honor and complete surprise to hear from you. I’ve always admired your work. In fact, this email is being sent from my StonePhone!
I would love the opportunity to discuss the opportunity you so graciously offered over lunch. You name the time and place, and I’ll be there.
Looking forward to hearing from you and a possible collaboration.
Sincerely,
Vanessa
He bit into his lower lip as nervousness gnawed at him. Ava hadn’t been happy with the response at all, and she made no secret of it.
With his lips pressed together, he slid the phone into his jeans pocket and adjusted the lapels again, tugging on the jacket.
A groan sounded behind him. “Please tell me you were not reading that email again,” Ava said.
Heat rose in his cheeks as his eyes widened. “Huh? No, just…checking the time.”
She crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow, and his lips tugged into an involuntary wince. “I mean, I may have looked at it, just to be sure it was really there.”
“Oh, it was really there,” she said with a disgusted tone. “She was just all too eager to meet you with, Mr. Stone.”
“Jealous?” he asked, a chuckle accompanying the statement over the ridiculous concept.
“Maybe,” she said as she wrinkled her nose at his jacket. “Why are you wearing that?”
“I thought it looked okay.” He twisted to face the mirror again, suddenly self-conscious about the outfit.
“No signature hoodie?”
“Well, that seemed…” His voice trailed off as he glanced at her. “Uhh…”
“Seemed what?” she asked, her voice sharper than he would have liked.
“Too casual?” His features pinched as he phrased it as a question.
Both eyebrows raised toward her hairline, and he wrinkled his nose, grimacing. “I’m just…trying to make this work. You know, get her talking because I’m all…imposing and stuff.”
“Imposing or impressive?” Ava asked.
Alex fluttered his eyelashes at the question, searching his mind for an answer. He twisted to face her. “Babe, I’m not…I’m just trying to get answers. I’m not looking to impress her that way.”
She pressed her lips together, drawing back one corner of her lips as she stepped closer to him, her head shaking. “You don’t get it, Ace.”
“Babe, I do. As someone who spent all those years totally jealous over every guy in your life, I get it.”
“No,” she said as she grabbed his lapels and pulled him closer. “You are impressive, Alex. You don’t need to try.”
Heat rose in his cheeks and a nervous chuckle escaped him. “Uh, no, Avs, that’s not even close to being true.”
“I know you don’t think it is, but it is, babe.”
“No. You know, when we first started investigating The Board, and we went to the Frontiers conference, someone ran into me and was like, ‘Bro, you’re blocking the stairs.’ He was totally rude because I’m not impressive.”
“Except you are. The moment he knew who you were, didn’t that all change.”
“Yeah, because now I have money. And people will treat me nicer because of that. It’s my bank account they care about, not me.”
She brushed a lock of his shaggy hair away from his face. “Well, I care about you. I love you. And, yes, I’m totally jealous that you’re going to lunch with another woman.”
He offered her a slight smile. “Aw, Avs. That’s…no one has ever been jealous before. I kind of like it.”
Her smile faded, and she tilted her head. “Don’t like it too much because I’m not going to be the spouse who is okay with you taking other women out. You’re mine.”
He held his hands up in defeat. “All yours, babe. Won’t happen again outside of fighting a criminal organization.”
“Good,” she said with a kiss. “Hoodie. This jacket is too pretentious. You look like you’re trying too hard. The hoodie says…I’m important so I don’t care how I dress.”
“Oh, good call, Avs.” He pulled the jacket off and tossed it aside in favor of his usual black hoodie. “This feels better, too.”
“Only one thing missing.”
He glanced in the mirror, his forehead creasing as he tried to figure out what it was. She stepped in front of him, brandishing the pearl brooch he’d given her. “Good thing you fixed this after the plane crash.”
He shrugged away from her. “I can’t wear that.”
“You have to. I want to see all of this and hear it too. Time for you to listen to my running commentary about your date.”
“She’s not my date,” he answered as he allowed her to pin it to his hoodie.
“Just tell her it was a gift from your wife.”
“Umm, sure,” Alex said with a frown. “Hopefully, that won’t make her clam up.”
Ava offered him a concerned glance. “How far are you planning to take the flirting?”
“Not far, but–”
“Are you planning on not wearing your ring?”
He glanced down at his hand, his thumb tracing the gold band. “I’m going to wear it.”
“So, she’ll know you’re married. If she takes it badly, just tell her you’re humoring me. That will suggest you are keeping the peace, not terribly attached.”
He puffed out his cheeks. “I hope I can do this. I’m not a good liar.”
“You can do it, Ace.” She took a step toward the side when he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her back.
“But I am terribly attached.”
She grinned at him, sliding her arms around his neck. “Aww.”
“Suddenly, I don’t want to do this,” he said.
“It’s fine, babe. I’m not actually mad at you. I just don’t relish you ogling some other woman for the sake of the cause.”
“You were ogling that guy in Monaco for the cause,” he retorted playfully.
She shrugged, shooting him a coy smile. “I can’t help it that you were okay with it.”
“I was not okay with it. Definitely not.”
“So, you know how I feel.”
He pressed his forehead against hers. “I kind of like knowing that you love me that much.”
She stole a kiss from him. “I do. Remember that, okay?”
“I love you, too, Ava,” he answered. “And I can’t wait until this is over. Like, suddenly, I hate this plan.”
“Babe, you don’t have to do this, we can–”
“I do have to do it. We need this information. And this is the best way.”
She rubbed his arms, offering him a reassuring smile. “I’ll coach you through it. I’ll be right there with you, Alex.”
He pulled her into a tight hug. “Good because I want this to be over so much, Avs. I want us to have our life together. Just me, you, long walks on the beach, gaming…”
“Doc,” Ava added.
Alex pulled back, his features scrunching as he stared at her. “What?”
“Doc. I told Doc he’s welcome to stay here as long as he wants after we finish this. No questions asked.”
“Oh, right…yeah, okay. Me, you, Doc, long walks on the beach, gaming.”
She kissed his cheek with a giggle. “Soon, babe. Now, put this earpiece in and get going so we can finish this.”
He nodded as he grabbed it from her palm and stuck it in his ear.
She did the same.
“Testing,” he said.
“Babe, I’m right next to you, I can’t tell,” she answered. “Let me get downstairs.”
“Wait, wait,” he said, grabbing her hand, “Ava…”
His lower lip trembled a little, his features pinching.
“Babe, it’s okay. I’m not mad. You can do this. If we get the information good. If we don’t…”
“You have to risk your life again, and I can’t handle that,” he said, his voice trembling.
“We’ll get through this,” she answered. “Just do the best you can do, babe. Don’t push her too hard. We’ll figure it out together.”
He threaded his fingers through hers, squeezing her hand. “Together.”
She kissed the tip of his nose before she stepped away from him. “Let’s test that earpiece and camera, then you’re on your way.”
He nodded, resuming the gnawing on his lower lip as she disappeared from the room.
“Ace?” Ava said in his ear.
“I’m here,” he answered. “Can you see me?”
“Yep,” she said. “I can see you in the mirror. Looking good, babe. Time to head out.”
He blew out a sharp breath as he nodded.
“Yeah, Mav, looking sharp,” Kyle added.
“Doc,” he said, with a chuckle as he stepped away from the mirror, “you flying as a wingman too?”
“You bet,” the man answered.
Alex headed from the bedroom, descending the stairs, and grabbing his keys on the way out the door to his car.
Within minutes, he pulled up to the restaurant. His palms, slick with sweat, slipped on the wheel as he gripped it.
He licked his lips, handing his keys off to the valet before he strode to the hostess stand and asked if Vanessa was here.
The woman led him to her table. She rose as he approached, sliding her too-short skirt down a smidge before she thrust her hand out. “Mr. Stone, so wonderful to meet you in person.”
“Same,” Alex said, trying to hide his shaky voice.
They settled into their seats, and Alex grabbed the menu, clearing his throat.
“Easy, babe,” Ava said in his ear. “Relax. Take a deep breath.”
“I hope you don’t mind,” Vanessa said with a curl of her red lips. “I ordered wine for us.”
The wiggle of her eyebrows made him shift in his seat.
“Cool,” he murmured.
“Wow, she’s not coming on too strong,” Kyle said.
“Right? Seriously, this has to be as bad as when Shadow climbed out of the pool in those tiny shorts,” Ava answered.
Alex cleared his throat loudly as they spoke. “So, uh, what–”
“Hi, welcome to The Bistro. Would you like to hear our specials?” The waiter’s eyes lingered on Vanessa’s very exposed bosom.
“No, thanks. I’ll just have a lobster salad,” Alex answered, thrusting the menu back toward the man.
“I’ll have the same,” Vanessa said. “Thanks.”
The waiter bobbed his head, collecting the menus and heading off.
Alex gulped down some water before he wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand. “So, Vanessa–”
“Before you say anything, Alex…can I call you Alex?” She glanced at him, an alluring smile on her features.
“Uhhh–”
“What the hell?” Ava said. “Tell her fine.”
“Sure,” Alex answered, certain he was red as a lobster.
“Perfect.” She offered a chuckle that sounded almost like a purr. “Alex, I am so flattered by this offer from you–”
“Well, I haven’t made an offer yet,” he answered.
Her grin broadened as she cocked her head. “Not yet, no, but I think you will. Because I have so much I can offer you.”
His heart skipped a beat as the woman leaned seductively closer.
His mind raced. Every instinct told him to retreat, to end this charade before it went any further.
But Ava’s voice lingered in his ear, steady and reassuring.
He had to push through this—for them. For their future.
But what had he gotten himself into? And how could he get out of it?