Page 85 of Maneater
I want to be annoyed that she stolemine, especially during a moment of intimacy, but I’m starting to understand it.
And more so, I’m kind of grateful that by stealing the card, Josie was able to help the guest as soon as possible.
“What, so I just move on, pretending I don’t know this?”
“They have a job to do, Rowan. You need to let them do that job, and I’m sure she would rather be the one to tell you about her job when she’s ready.” There’s a pause before a smile spreads on Annette’s face. “Though I’m sure you can sweet-talk your way into getting her to spill her secrets to you.”
My brows furrow, trying to make sense of what she’s saying.
“She uses her looks and her charm to get whatever information she wants out of people. In your case, I would hazard to guess that turnabout is fair play.” There’s a sneaky smile on her lips as she shrugs. “I happen to know that her boss has recently approved her telling you about what she does.”
Turnabout is fair play.
Huh.
I hadn’t thought about that.
Because the truth is, as I sit with this information, I understand why Josie couldn’t tell me what was going on, especially when I realize it’s part of her jobnotto share that. That being said, I don’t want secrets between us anymore. If anything, I want to help her on her mission to figure things out. I bet with my increased access and her and Rory’s training, we could quickly close this case.
And maybe then you could take an actual break, a real vacation with Josie.
Annette smiles at me then, clearly seeing some kind of resolve on my face, before she nods.
“All right, well, it seems like you have some work to do today. Let me know if you need anything from me. Otherwise, I’ll see you at the board meeting next week.” And then the screen goes black.
I sit back with a small smile and a shake of my head, sighing and also deeply relieved as I begin to formulate my plan.
THIRTY-FOUR
JOSIE
Dessert?
Reading the text for the fourth time doesn’t ease the pounding of my heart. I’ve spent the entire day continuing our job, interacting with guests and employees alike, trying to find new angles to investigate while pretending as if my stomach hasn’t been in knots all day.
I thought about making an effort to find Rowan somewhere in the resort, looking at the cameras to find out where he is, and bumping into him, but I couldn’t stomach the idea of him either avoiding me or ignoring me. My mind has run through a million different ways he could respond to my finally telling him the truth, and because my mind is my own worst enemy, few of them were positive.
Last night, I told Rory all about my conversation with Gabriel, and she agreed that when I felt like the time was right, I should let Rowan in on what we’re doing here, but I’ve been too much of a scaredy cat to do so. Except now, he’s texting me for a little chat.
He’s asking aboutdessert.
Remembering our conversation before everything imploded, I can’t help but feel a thrill at thethought of it, since that could mean so many different things.
Food?
Sex?
Despite common sense, I find myself wondering if maybe I could put off the much-needed confession just for a bit, just in case he decides he wants nothing to do with me after. At least then I’d have one night of complete pleasure before I broke my own heart.
“Why do you have that face?” Rory asks, looking at me over her computer as she pulls details on all the employees. After an unfruitful day where we made no headway, she’s back in her happy place. She’s still unable to hack into the employee database, which contains payroll information, hours worked, and clock-in and out times, but she’s making it her mission to crack that tonight.
“I just got a text from Rowan. He wants to grab dessert, I think.” My stomach is a flutter of nerves and panic and, admittedly, excitement, something I’m strangely getting used to when it comes to Rowan.
“Are you going to say yes?”
I flop on the couch with a heavy sigh before moving to my elbows and answering.
“I don’t know. What do you think? Should I?”
