Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(49)
He looked at me with disbelief. “If that’s the story you’re sticking with.”
“It is.” I glared at him. “You think you know everything all the time.”
“Say whatever you want, but I know something is up. You’ll tell me…eventually.”
I sighed loud and long. “Has Cavanaugh handed out our assignment yet?”
“Yep, we may as well have jury duty right now.” He threw a folder down on the table. “Top exec’s wife is in town while he’s here on business. He doesn’t like her to wander the streets alone while she shops. We’ve been hired to keep her company.”
“You’re kidding.”
He shook his head. “Nope. Good news is she likes to sleep in so we’ve got awhile before we need to go pick her up.”
“Ugh.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, I wanted to look something up on my computer anyway.”
“All right. Yeah, I think this is our penance for the thing this weekend.” He paused for a beat. “By the way, everything cool with you? I had a nightmare last night about you.”
“Uh huh, just a regular quiet night at home. I went grocery shopping. That’s about as exciting as things got.” I scratched an itch behind my ear.
He clenched his jaw. “Interesting.”
“What’s interesting?”
“Nothing. Good for you. Got down to crackers and ramen, huh?”
“How’d you know?”
“’Cause I know you.” He smiled.
I grinned then my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a text from an unknown number. It had to be Stephen.
How’s work going?
As I was about to type a response back, Vance tried to snatch my phone. I twisted my body and blocked his attempt. “Excuse me. Can I help you?” I asked.
“Look at you smiling like a teenage girl who just got asked to prom. I knew you got back with him.” He shook his head.
“No, I’m not. God, back off, nosey. This doesn’t concern you.”
“Then who’s texting you? I’m here so…”
“If you can imagine, I know other people besides you and occasionally they contact me.” I held my phone down low, shielding my screen with my body.
Work is good. Everything ok? I responded.
Yes, just bored and thinking of you. That doesn’t violate our agreement, does it?
A wide smile spread across my face.
“Who is it?” Vance asked.
I laughed. “None of your business. Don’t you have something to do?” I shot him a sugary grin as I stood. I purposely knocked him in the arm as I walked passed. “I’m going to go to the bathroom.”
“Keeping secrets from me, Di? Not cool.”
I kept walking and ignored his comment. I typed my text back to Stephen.
No, it doesn’t. I can’t stop you from thinking.
Good. What are you doing today? I’m so bored already being cooped up in here with daytime TV. I might go crazy.
Sounds terrible but not much better than what we’ll be doing. We’re shadowing a rich execs wife while she goes shopping today. Very exciting stuff.
Sounds terribly exciting. I’ve heard the shopping downtown is pretty good.
It’s all right, but the mall north of the city is better. I’m sure we’ll go there. It’s where all the beautiful people go.
Then you’ll fit right in. Have fun and hurry home, dear.
I chuckled. Stay safe and be a good prisoner.
Yes, ma’am. Tuning into The View now…
Smiling, I slipped my phone into my pocket and walked back out to my desk. Vance was off talking to a couple of the other guys, so I sat down at my computer. I typed Stephen’s name into my search window. Surprisingly, there were quite a few Stephen Tate’s that popped up. I scanned the screen and looked for any in the New York area. The fourth hit on my screen sounded like a match. I clicked the link and it took me to a professional page. A picture of Stephen was at the top of my screen. His hair was shorter, but it was him. The page listed his education and work experience. Based off everything I read, he was smart and successful and I understood why Avery had turned to him.
I did a quick scan on social media, and he looked like an average guy who liked to hang out with friends, but then Vance approached my desk before I could dig deeper. I clicked over to my email. “Time to go?” I asked.
“Yeah, we should get on the road.” He groaned.
I stood and nudged his shoulder. “I know how much you like shopping. If you're good, I'll buy you a soft pretzel."
"Very funny. You think you can buy me off with food?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.
"They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. You forget, I know you too." I grinned coyly. "Where's the pick up?"
"The Cincinnatian."
I puckered my lips together and drew in a breath. "Oh, a swanky one today. This should be fun."
Vance and I drove a few blocks over to the Cincinnatian hotel in the heart of city. It was the epitome of modern luxury. Not only did it have fine dining inside the hotel but it always had a small fleet of Rolls Royces waiting out front to drive patrons wherever they wanted to go.
We pulled our Range Rover up to the valet stand, and Vance slipped the valet ten bucks to keep the car close. Inside, we walked up to the front desk and told them who we were waiting for. They buzzed our client’s room then Vance and I waited in the lobby until she came down.