Page 93 of Love Is an Art
Yes. Dating Paisley publicly in the office was most definitely a mistake for me. If Tessa and I are going to continue to work together, it’s better not to date. But …
I nudge Tessa and tell her to show Roberto the increased returns from her prior investigation experiences to give him hope. She pulls that slide up on her pitch PowerPoint and explains again how increased morale led to an increase in revenue.
“That makes me feel better. We will see,” Roberto says. “I hope you’re right. Thank you again.”
Tessa shakes his hand and smiles brightly at him. That huge, warm smile. As much as this case was a reminder that business and friendship don’t mix, my resolve to not date Tessa again is slipping. I should give her a second chance. The way we work together, I’m not imagining this connection. I can trust her. I think.
Roberto sits back down heavily and shudders as if it’s too much. Betrayed by a close friend and colleague—and about his dream company.
My brain flashes back to my memory of that moment of betrayal when I’d realized Paisley had cheated on me.
Paisley came over to my apartment, her hair wet. It wasn’t raining outside. She was supposedly coming from her new job at the office.
“I was at the gym, and I took a shower,” she said.
But I’d been at our gym.
She had not been there.
But I still couldn’t believe it.
“Our gym on 79thStreet?” I asked.
And then she told me that she’d slept with someone else. She’d just showered at his place. I couldn’t breathe.
Chapter thirty
Tessa
AsIwalkupto the 72nd Street subway entrance in the island in the middle of Broadway, Zeke is there, holding a closed umbrella. At 6 a.m. on a gray Saturday, the streets are empty, except for one lone jogger and a man sleeping on cardboard under scaffolding. Zeke sips from an aluminum thermos. I didn’t dare have coffee to make sure I wouldn’t have to pee during this stakeout. We might be out all day.
I wave and cross the street. “Early enough for you?”
I’m still surprised he wanted to come. I wouldn’t be caught dead getting up this early unless Ireallyliked the guy. Or I was helping a client. I shake my head.We’re just friends.We make a good team. That’s what he’d said. And this is my chance to show him that I’m a fundamentally good person.
He’s not ready to date, but he’s here. Spending the day with me, trailing some scammer guy. So that says a lot.
Zeke is wearing a worn T-shirt and jeans. He looks so good. Frickin’ butterflies as I gaze at him. Is he trying to torture me?
He holds the green, wooden door open for me as we enter the subway station. Inside, black-and-white signs direct passengers to go left or right for uptown or downtown trains.
“This is him?” He holds up his phone to show the picture I forwarded yesterday.
“Yes. Taylor took that photo last Sunday when she tried tailing him.”
“You think he has another girlfriend and was using Taylor’s grandmother to get her apartment? That’s a hell of a long game.”
I glance sharply at him. I wasn’t expecting Zeke to come along to be the voice of reason.
“The rent is three hundred dollars a month. A rent-controlled two bedroom in West Harlem.”
“That’s incentive enough,” Zeke says. “Is this usual? I didn’t realize lawyers were trailing people around.”
I shrug. “It’s not. But I honestly don’t know what else to do. He’s managed to tick all the boxes to show he’s a common-law spouse. It’s too neatly wrapped up.”I really hope I’m right.
“You’re really suspicious.”
I continue, ignoring that commentary. “And lawyers will definitely search through any of your social media posts and hire private investigators. But I can’t afford to employ one, so it’s up to Taylor and me to do the legwork. It’s actually great that you’re coming along because we can switch trailing at 59thStreet—if he is going to this address in Queens. I’ll text you what subway car we’re in so you can wait at 59thStreet and pick him up and trail him from there. I'll drop back and meet you in Queens—if he does go there.”
