“He is a winner. And you are expendable.” He let go of the door, letting it close all too slowly.
There wasn’t anything left to say. Gloria’s horrified face said it all.
21
Wes
The waiter brought the menus, and I ordered a glass of wine for Lennon. I didn’t drink the night before a game. I passed on the beer list. She had spoken less than ten words since we left the hotel.
I leaned across the table. “Did I tell you how fucking sexy you look in that new dress, Doc?”
She nodded. “A few times.”
Something was off. But I didn’t know what. I was in new territory. Truth was, I’d never cared if a woman was upset or preoccupied. The few hours I spent with them weren’t enough to get that involved. But Lennon and I were more than that, and I felt the tightening in my chest every time I looked at her face and saw the worry in her eyes. What the fuck was wrong?
I was craving a glass of bourbon. Something to dull the tension I could feel between us.
“You had fun shopping?” I asked.
“Yes. I went to a few of my old favorite shops.”
“And you got what you wanted?” Women loved to shop. I thought free reign with my credit card would have made her happy. She could have bought out three stores if she wanted and I wouldn’t have cared.
“Just the one dress.” She tipped the wine glass to her lips.
“There’s no limit on that card.”
She eyed me. “I don’t need your money to buy clothes, Wes. I’m a surgeon. I make a pretty good salary. Maybe not millions, but I can afford a slutty dress.”
I don’t know what had happened, but something had changed since I left her in the suite this morning.
“Slutty dress was a joke. You look beautiful.”
She lowered her eyes. Her fingers worked the corners of the linen napkin. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to think I need your money or I’m here for the money.”
“When did I ever say that?”
“You didn’t, but it’s important to me you know that.” She looked at me, but I saw her eyes trail over my shoulder and widen.
“I don’t care how much money you have, Doc. I want to give you things. Buy you things. Take care of you.” I leaned closer to whisper, but she clearly wasn’t listening. “You are mine, you know.”
“Shit.” She grabbed the menu from the table and held it in front of her face. “Shit, shit, shit,” she grumbled. “This can’t be happening.”
“Okay, what in the hell is going on?” I turned and looked behind me to see a couple walking through the restaurant, following the hostess to a table next to ours.
I tried to wrestle the menu from her hand, but her grip was strong. “Damn it, Lennon. What the fuck
is happening?”
“Lennon?” The couple stopped next to our table as the guy, who was holding the woman’s hand, startled us.
She lowered the menu slowly. “Ben? What a surprise.”
“Yeah, I’d say so.” The guy looked at me and then his date. “I guess the tabloids are true. You’re actually dating this guy.”
Lennon’s eyes narrowed. “Better than the one standing in front of me.”
“That’s not what you said when we were together.” His expression was cocky.