Page 98 of The Bet
He turned to Xavier. “Have you guys ordered?”
“Yes. We’re being looked after.”
“Good. This is a surprise, you turning up like this.”
She wasn’t sure about what he meant and pushed away her feelings of paranoia, putting it down to some strange code language between the guys. A server appeared, and set down their food and drink from a tray.
“We’re celebrating. I got the funding I needed,” Xavier explained.
“Cool.” Luke nodded in acknowledgement.
“Izzy helped secure the deal, so we’re celebrating.”
Luke glanced at her. “It’s about time, too,” he said to Xavier, and for a moment it looked as if he was about to say something, when a passing customer tapped him on the shoulder. “Enjoy your evening,” he said, then, “Excuse me,” and strode away.
“What was all that about?” she asked.
“All what about?”
“Izzy helped secure the funding,” she echoed. She couldn’t put her finger on it right now, but something didn’t feel right. She picked up onsomething,but couldn’t define what that something was.
Or maybe, as Cara had mentioned to her recently, she needed to let go of her mistrust of wealthy men. “If he was a down-on-his-luck guitarist, or a poor student, you’d probably give him a chance.”
What did Cara know?
“But your part helped,” he insisted.
She picked up an asparagus in tempura and dipped it into the small pot of relish, before biting it. “Are you not having any?”
He shook his head. “You go ahead.”
“Green veg not your thing?”
“Still not my thing.”
“This is a cool place,” she said. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And congratulations.” She lifted her virgin cocktail. “Here’s to getting your investment.”
He lifted his beer bottle and knocked the top of it with her glass. “And to your extra hours, hopefully.”
“Hopefully?” He’d made it sound as if it was a done deal.
“I need to get the business up and running, first. It can take a while, but I’ll have some hours for you, it might not be 20 straight away. And, don’t get your hopes up because nothing’s going to happen this month. We’re looking at some time in the new year, maybe.”
He’d made it sound as if she could have those hours straight away. She should have known better than to believe Xavier’s bullshit.
The college would be closing next week, and then she’d be going home for Christmas. She had promises of work—the extra hours with Xavier, and maybe with Savannah, but it was all up in the air. She didn’t like uncertainty.
“Just let me know, as soon as it’s a sure thing.”
“I don’t want it to get in the way of your studies.”
“As if I’d letyourwork get in the way ofmystudies,” she retorted.
“I’m only trying to help you, Laronde.” His expression suddenly turned somber. “Anything could change. Nothing is set in stone. This is a new guy I’m going into business with, and I don’t know much about him, except that he has the resources I need. I was only trying to find a way to help you,ifthis contract pans out.”
