Page 64 of Playing For Keeps
“No, I just got here.” I take her in my arms and breathe in her floral and vanilla scent, knowing it’s the last time.
I relish the moment, wishing for a million more. We hug until she backs away and pulls out a chair.
I swallow my pain and sit across from her. “You look well rested and absolutely beautiful.”
Her cheeks flush, and it’s enough to break me in half. I’m going to miss the hell out of her.
“Hunter…” She hides her face as she shifts to get comfortable.
“I’m not trying to put you in an awkward position. It's just a habit, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying it how it is.”
She lifts her gaze to me. “Thank you, but it’s not something I’m comfortable with.”
“I understand.” I lift the menu. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes. Melanie had a buffet set up in our room.” Dorothy smiles, and it lights up her eyes. “She’s worse than any grandparent.”
I furrow my brows as I place the menu down. “How so?”
“She’s doting on me like I’m a child.”
“I’m sure she was just showing you how much you mean to her.”
Dorothy's expression grows serious. “I know. She was a mess last night. The situation hit her at once, and she broke down as soon as we got to our suite.”
“That doesn’t sound like her. I expected her to be joking or giving you hell.”
“She was at first, but I’m not here to discuss Melanie.”
The server comes over, and we order coffee. She retreats to get our drinks.
Dorothy scoots to the edge of her seat as soon as we’re alone again. “Jami told me everything.”
My stomach knots as I rest back in my chair. “I figured he would.”
“Do you have anything to add?”
I grip the arms of my chair and analyze her. “What would you like me to explain?”
“I don’t care that you used me as bait to get to your mom.” She shakes her head as anger flickers in her eyes. “That’s not true. I’m really hurt, but I’m not going to focus on anything that makes no difference now. I made it out, and she’s behind bars where she belongs.”
“If you’re not here to berate me, then why are we here?”
“Let’s talk about my job.”
“What about it?” My heart blips in double time.
I didn’t expect Jamison to tell her about that, seeing that I told him I wasn’t going to tell her she’s been reinstated.
She places her palms on the table and moves closer to me. “Why didn’t you tell me I could come back to work? I know you told Jami you were keeping it from me so I wouldn’t interfere with your plans to catch your mom, but then you told him you decided not to tell me at all. Why? I don’t understand.”
My shoulders go slack. “I’m sorry, beauty. It just won’t work.”
“That’s not your decision to make. The board reinstated me. You don’t have any say in the matter.”
“But I do.”
She jerks back. “Are you saying you don’t think I deserve it?”
