When I Say Yes (Necklace Trilogy 3)

Did she actually let things get beyond flirtation? I got the impression she didn’t, but now, I don’t know. Was this an actual affair, I wonder? Or maybe she led him on a bit because he made her feel wanted? I just can’t tell from the entries.

My gaze catches on a phone number scribbled in the lower corner of the page and I can’t help myself, I dial it. At the same time, Jack’s phone sitting just under the radio rings. Instinctively, I glance over it and go cold. It’s my number. Jack was the man Allison was seeing. I’m cold and hot all over, my head spinning. My hand is trembling. I have no idea why, but I know I cannot let Jack know. I grab his phone to erase the call but of course, it’s locked. I’m out of time. I don’t know what to do. The door starts to open and I shove his phone under his seat, in the hopes he’ll believe he dropped it. At least I bought myself time. We’re three minutes from the meeting spot. Three minutes until I’m with him and other people. I’ll figure out how to explain the call later.

And I’m not going to ride home with Jack.

CHAPTER FIFTY

Jack joins me again in a whiff of spicy, almost pungent cologne I haven’t noticed until now. He smiles in my direction and cranks the engine. I can’t muster a returned smile. In fact, I’m certain he can hear my heart racing, but if he does, he doesn’t react. He also doesn’t notice his missing phone. Once we arrive at the bar, I don’t wait for him to open my door. I get out and meet him at the trunk. “When we’re done here, let’s hang back a moment and talk through your future with Hawk Legal.”

“Actually, Dash has a big meeting tonight with a studio. I’m meeting him right after this to find out how that went.”

“Right. You’re seeing him. I remember that now.”

He’s playing coy. I know he’s seen the press. “I’m living with him.”

“Never settle for a diamond when you can have the stars and the sky.” I have no idea what he’s trying to say. Dash is a diamond and Jack is the stars and the sky? Whatever the point, he motions me toward the door. “Let’s go knock ‘em dead, tiger.”

Anything to get me inside, with other people, and not just him.

I follow his lead and enter the bar, only to have the record producer waiting on us, with an entourage of three more. We’re quickly ushered to a table and thankfully, I end up sitting far from Jack. I’m drawn into conversation and it’s all I can do to focus. Nelson is tall, dresses like a cowboy, and talks with a southern charm I can relate to easily. He’s one of my people, as us southerners say, and we connect. The family heirloom is just that to a music guy, I guess. His dad worked for the Beatles when they toured and he has a treasure trove of Beatles collectibles. Mark will be pleased, as will Queen Compton when she’s back to work.

When everyone orders another round, Jack begins searching for his phone. When he excuses himself to go to his car, I know I need to leave. I’ve already thought this through. I order an Uber, which is only three minutes away. I glance at Nelson. “I have another meeting. I need to leave. Jack knows about it. I’m going to run.” I glance at my phone. “I have a car on its way.”

“Well, it’s been mighty nice to meet you, pretty lady. I hope we can make this work.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I promise and stand up, saying a quick goodbye to everyone.

I hurry to the bathroom and exit the side door. My car is about to pull to the front door. I call the driver. “I’m at the back door.”

“You got it,” the woman says.

Jack exits the restaurant. He’s found me. “Allie? What’s going on?”

Come on, Uber. “I tried to call you,” I say, just hoping he doesn’t look at the time stamp. “Dash is done with his meeting. There’s something big going on. I have to find out what.”

“So you’re leaving a client meeting early?”

“They’re sold, Jack.”

The car pulls up and I flag the driver. When she pulls right next to me, I open the door. “I’ll come see you in the morning.”

“How’d you get my number, Allie?”

“I grabbed it from Allison’s work logs,” I say, desperately trying to lie myself out of this, when lies rarely save anyone. “I hope that doesn’t bother you? I guess I should have asked if I could use it. I really have to go.”

“All right. Yes. Come see me, Allie.”

I nod and climb into the car, shutting the door, and breathing out. My hands are clammy. I was scared, I realize. I was scared of Jack.