“Lead the way,” he said.
MOMENTS LATER THEY approached the table, and a former cheerleader named Dannicka waved them over. Simon didn’t remember her very well, except that she’d been the cheerleader who’d invited him into the popular social circles at school after he bulked up and got into sports. With Dannicka’s approval, the rest of the school had followed.
“So, how’s the tech business been for both of you?” Dannicka asked after they greeted each other.
“It’s fine,” Simon said.
“Oh, come on. Don’t pretend with me.” Dannicka took a sip of her punch. “I watch the news and keep up to date on gossip. You know you’ve hit it big when the mainstream news and the gossip rags are talking about you. You two are like celebrities.”
“Gossip is just gossip,” Heather said breezily. “We try not to let it affect our work.”
Dannicka raised an eyebrow. “Well, ever since that video of your ex went viral the rumor mill has been going crazy. You claim you’re not sleeping with your boss anymore, but your ex says that’s a lie. It’s like a classic he-said, she-said.” She smiled at Simon. “So, you’re single, then, Simon? And Hannah, I’m sorry. I almost don’t remember you from high school. Did you graduate with our class?”
Heather’s cheeks turned bright pink and Simon narrowed his eyes at Dannicka. He knew the whole purpose of coming to the reunion was to smooth things over, but he didn’t like Dannicka’s tone. “It’s Heather. Her name is Heather,” he said sharply. “Heather’s actually younger than you, Dannicka.” But apparently a lot more grown up.
“Heather. Whoops, sorry.” She smiled, but it didn’t seem genuine. “I mean, I don’t blame you for sleeping with the boss. If you aren’t blessed with talent, a girl has to get ahead however she can,” Dannicka rushed on. “I know she’s younger, Simon. Silly. You two were inseparable back in high school. I understand the urge to go back to an old flame. However, if you’re not together, that makes sense, too. I always thought you two were mismatched even back then.” Dannicka reached her manicured hand over to him and ran her fingers up and down his chest.
Worry flickered across Heather’s face, as if Dannicka’s words were already cutting through her confidence. “How so?” Heather asked in a small voice.
Dannicka shrugged, but her green eyes were now trained on Simon’s. She licked her lips none too subtly. “I dunno. You were such a goody-goody, Heather. So... studious. Meanwhile, Simon ended up being the school’s golden boy. So handsome. So smart. Athletic scholarship material. The total package.”
Simon narrowed his eyes. “Heather and I have known each other since we were children. There was nothing mismatched about us.”
Dannicka pursed her glossy pink lips. “Then why did you two break up after you graduated, Simon?”
Heather lowered her eyes. She mumbled something under her breath that he couldn’t hear, and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
Simon wanted to tell Dannicka to back off, but they couldn’t afford to draw any more attention to themselves. But it was obvious Dannicka was getting to Heather. Things might have changed in the years they had been apart, but he knew his assistant. Heather had always been the type of sweet person bullies liked to go after. “High school was a long time ago, Dannicka. At least for some of us.”
“I never told you this, Simon, but I always had a big crush on you back then.” Dannicka let out a breathy laugh.
“I didn’t know that,” he said curtly. He also didn’t remember Dannicka being this rude either.
“But now that little old Heather is out of the picture, I’d really like to get to know you better.” Dannicka batted her eyelashes at him and linked her arm through his. “Make sure I give you my number before you leave tonight, okay?”
Annoyance made his jaw clench. There was no way Dannicka had noticed him during the entirety of high school. She had only given him the time of day after he had bulked up. It was Heather who’d always noticed him. Always been there for him. Hell, he wouldn’t have Dover if it hadn’t been for her encouragement.