Page 50 of Hidden Gem
“On a Saturday night? I shouldn’t think so. But I can go in first to check.”
Jason reached for the door, but Marnie stepped in front of him. She hadn’t come all the way to chicken out at the door. “No, let’s just do this, okay? Even if I regret this, I will never blame you, okay?”
At a glance, the room seemed empty. But as they circled around the formation of work stations, Marnie spotted two young guys at their desks, quietly typing away at their laptops. Both looked up, taking note of Jason and Marnie.
“Hi guys! Just showing a friend around the building.” Jason walked them closer, and the young men smiled at Marnie.
She fiddled with her necklace, self-conscious about her outfit.
Jason gestured at the pointy-nosed young lad with spiky hair, who shot up from his chair. “This is Kyle. He does research. And here’s Ravi. Also research.”
“Hi! I’m... Beatrice,” Marnie said, offering them a quick smile.
The handsome Indian also stood up, smiling brightly, and shook her hand for a good five-seconds, until Jason steered her away. The guys exchanged a look, both trying to conceal their knowing smiles. Of course they’d watched the video, along with the rest of the nation. She might as well have introduced herself as the ‘woman Jason fell asleep on’. Why hadn’t she thought of another pseudonym? Marnie grimaced, casting an apologetic look at Jason.
“We’ll just get some tea.” Jason nudged Marnie towards the staff kitchen. “Can I get you guys anything?”
Kyle trailed behind them like a dog who’d picked up a scent. “I’ll have a V. But I’ll get it.”
He helped himself to a can of energy drink while Jason boiled the jug.
Marnie steered towards the water cooler. “I’ll just get a glass of water.”
“Private tour, eh?” Kyle winked at her, flicking open the can. “So, how do you know Jason?”
Marnie glanced at Jason, raising her brow. Was this the right guy? Jason gave her the slightest of nods. She took a breath, smiling at Kyle. “It’s a funny story, actually! We were both at that art gala a few weeks back. Jason was looking for Kathleen Rush, and he asked me to check the ladies room. I went in and found her on the floor! She was acting a bit strange, forgot my name like a minute after I told her. Must have hit her head real good!” Marnie tapped at her own temple and laughed. Maybe it was a bit much, but she could only hope her tone deaf presentation made her sound completely clueless, someone who had no idea what the information was worth.
She waited for a moment, before turning to Jason, her eyes wide. “Uh oh, should I have not said anything? Sorry, it was just so exciting. Nothing like that ever happens to me.”
Jason responded with an animated smile, playing the game. “That’s okay. We can trust Kyle.”
Kyle nodded with barely controlled enthusiasm. “Absolutely! So, she hit her head? Like, knocked herself out?”
Marnie shrugged, feigning disinterest. “That’s what she said. Slipped and fell. Could happen to anyone, right?”
“Right.” Kyle’s eyes gleamed as he studied her. “Was the floor wet or something?”
Marnie frowned. “No, I don’t think so.”
“But that’s just between us, okay?” Jason repeated, his voice carrying so much weight the air bristled. “Would be terrible if the media found out. If it turns out she’s not well and has been hiding it, the PM will be livid. She’ll be forced to let her go. That would be terrible.”
“Terrible.” Kyle’s nodding reached bobble-head levels.
“The last thing I want is Beatrice getting mixed up in this. She’s done nothing wrong.”
Kyle stared at Jason, not blinking. “Of course. I’m sure if there was a story there, a good journalist would find other sources to confirm their suspicions.”
“Exactly.” Jason gave him a meaningful half-smile.
Kyle opened his mouth to ask something else, but Jason slapped him on the shoulder. “Good talk, Kyle. I’m sorry, we must run. We have a booking.”
They left the kitchen and Kyle returned to his desk, his energy drink shaking in his hand. Jason shot Marnie a quick smile and led her out of the office, back into the marble stairway.
“Was that okay?” Marnie asked as the door closed behind them.
Jason brushed a wayward curl off her face. “You’re full of surprises, Marnie Browne.” He placed a soft kiss on her mouth.
For a moment, she forgot everything. All that existed was Jason, his warm lips on hers in the dimly lit foyer, his spicy scent in her nose, the faint echo of the city somewhere in the distance.
