Page 15 of Betrayal

“Not tonight.Because this is a working dinner, and we’re keeping our wits about us.”Which was why he hadn’t inched closer to nuzzle her throat and parse out her scent.Different tonight but still Anna.

What’s the matter with you, Thompson?

“Let’s wait until after the salads.Just absorb the ambience for the moment.”

“What ambience?”

“I’m a designer.You’ve got to give me some time to study the layout and eavesdrop on the conversations.”

“We’re tucked into this corner so no one will eavesdrop on our conversation,” he said pointedly.

“Part of the clever design.We can be private in a public space.”

“The space here is pretty box-like.The credit goes to the interior designer rather than the architect.”He glanced around.

“There’s my magic word again.”She gave the waiter, who delivered the salad, a friendly smile.“Thank you.”

The silence between them while they ate was comfortable.Another surprise.And maybe key to explaining why Cas had raved about her success at her job.Calm, composed, not the firecracker he’d encountered when she’d learned his name.Her calm suggested she had no qualms about their upcoming negotiation, that she wasn’t personally invested in this victory.Tonight, she was giving a fine imitation of a poker player.

“Casildo said you’ve worked for Changing Minds for years.”

“That’s how you found your way to the cocktail party?”She hadn’t asked around.Inviting her to Bondi beach’s iconic Icebergs hadn’t impressed her enough to bother stroking his ego.“I like Casildo.”

“The feeling’s mutual.How come after all this time you want a childcare centre?Are you planning to use it?”Smooth, Thompson, ferreting out details on her relationship status when I have no intention of having a relationship with her.

“We’ve lost two outstanding employees in the last two years because juggling divorce, childcare and a full-time job is hard work.Add domestic violence and the task becomes almost impossible.”She wanted to shock him.“We’re looking at losing a third.A centre nearby could make the difference.”

“I didn’t see you as a crusader.”He studied her over his frosted beer glass.

“I’m not.”She hunched a shoulder.“I act where I can.No big deal.”

The childcare centre was a big enough deal for her to agree to dinner with him when she’d rather watch paint dry.

“Not buying that.This is personal.”When she glanced away, he knew he’d stumbled on a secret Anna Turner didn’t share easily.He waited for a prevarication.

“I’ve been in their position.A disloyal lover, a lover who breaks faith.”She pinned him with her gaze—fierce, but unbowed.“Practical help is better than sympathy.”

“Who?”Hunter barely breathed the word, not wanting to spook her into retreat.Her honesty sliced through his defences, terrifying and fascinating him in equal parts.

“I’ll give you a cascading series of events from being the child of a philanderer to discovering teenage boys don’t ask before posting naked pics or claiming they scored when they didn’t.My sister was doxxed by an arrogant idiot who couldn’t understand the word no.Men, who claim to be grown-ups, look at me as if I’m a collection of body parts and they’re adding up the score.”She stunned him with her anger.

“Explains your reluctance to share a quiet drink with a stranger.”His conscience was clear, regardless of defamatory reports hidden under various social media rocks.Why bother with facts?“I apologise for my gender.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me it’s my fault because of the sluttish dresses I almost wear?”

“I’m not big on blaming the victim.”He leaned back in his chair.“I am in the you-can-say-no-at-any-point-in-the-proceedings camp.You’re buttoned up to the throat tonight, confirming that the red dress—which was gorgeous—was a test.”

“More a keep-off-the-grass statement.”She picked up her glass, then set it down.“Okay, it’s also a test.”

“How’d I do?”His gut gave a nervous jump.

“Well enough for me to agree to a meal with you to close this deal.”

“Did you research my business?”Better to know what he was dealing with.

“Antonio did due diligence on your business.I checked every line in your council application and their approval.”

“What about before we met?”

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