Page 63 of Phishing for Love
Well, well. I hadn’t expected such boldness from Bob.
Judging from the spots of color on Dana’s cheeks, neither had she. She looks positively flustered and I make a mental note to confirm to Sofia that blood—and not ice water—flows in Dana’s veins.
Recovering, Dana turns to leave and mutters, “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I accept.”
“Better put on a jacket then,” Bob calls after her with a chuckle. “That woman,” he says in an admiring tone, eyeing her retreating back. “Isn’t she something?”
I scrutinize Dana’s formidable figure barreling through the lobby like a Sherman tank. “She’s something all right,” I confirm in a faint voice.
I can’t wait to analyze this new development with Sofia and Kenzie.
First, however, it’s time to tackle Aaron.
I fling open the door to Aaron’s office and step inside. The door swings back faster than I anticipate, and I have to jump forward to avoid being hit.
Aaron glances up from his laptop, showing no surprise at my presence in his office. He takes off his glasses, leans back in his chair, and rests his hands on his stomach, as though he’s settling in for a long conversation. I, however, am more than happy to keep it short.
I prop my hands on my hips. “Why did you accept my mom’s invitation?”
“Because I want to go,” he answers immediately.
I search for clues in his face, but his inscrutable mask is in place. Yet I swear I can detect an almost shy eagerness leaking out of his voice. But that can’t be right because Aaron doesn’t do shy and he doesn’t do eager.
“You know,” he says musingly, “I think I’m going to love your mom.”
I suspect he’s trying to get a rise out of me, and he’s succeeding. “You do not get to love my mom.” I point a finger at him. “She’s mine.”
“What happened to ‘sharing is caring?’” he asks, quoting my words back to me.
“It doesn’t apply to my mom. Besides, you don’t seem the kind of man who shares.”
He nods slowly. “You’re right, I’m not.”
For an arrested moment, his eyes hold mine. In their depths, it feels as though there’s a message there for me, a message that sends a shiver through my whole body.
When my phone beeps with a text, I break eye contact. “Excuse me,” I say to Aaron as I pull my phone out to check it’s not my mom needing my help.
Mevia:Open the door.
Tess:Why?
Mevia:I can’t hear what’s happening between you and Aaron.
Tess:Go away.
I put my phone away and then Aaron’s phone buzzes. He picks it up off his desk and glances at the screen.
“Mevia?” I guess when he frowns.
He nods. “Is she always this...?” He waves a hand in the air, unable to find the words. Mevia appears to have that effect on people.
“Yes. Always.” Then I remember why I came in here. “You need to cancel Sunday.”
His frown deepens. “That would upset your mom and I don’t want to upset her.”
“But you’re upsettingmeright now,” I counter. “Doesn’t that count?”
He gives a slight shrug. “You’re often upset.”
