Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“You know what I drink?”

Really, Thea. That’s what you wanted to say? But it was such a shock. She’d felt sure he’d never noticed anything about her that didn’t pertain to work.

He tapped a finger against the table as he leaned back. They were in a round booth. It was a big table for the two of them, and this was his usual place to sit?

“What’s going on, Thea? And before you say nothing again you should know that lying to me is just going to annoy me.”

“And what happens when you’re annoyed?”

He smiled. It wasn’t a reassuring smile. “Are you sure you want to find out?”

She stiffened. “You’ll fire me?”

He sighed. “No, of course not. Why would I fire you for that?”

“You fired me twice last week,” she pointed out. “You’ve fired at least ten assistants in the last two years.”

“Their work performance was sub-par. Yours hasn’t been.”

Big praise indeed. “Is that what’s going on my work performance review? Her work isn’t sub-par.”

Ah, crap, Thea. Why did you go and say that? He’s your boss.

But to her shock, his lips twitched. Before he could say anything though, the server returned with their drinks. “Ready to order?”

Crap. She hadn’t even looked yet. She glanced over the menu for the cheapest, healthiest option. “I’ll have a Cobb salad, thanks.” Even though shrimp and grits were very, very tempting.

“I’ll have my usual,” Jardin told Rae.

She left and Thea shifted around uneasily on the seat.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” he asked.

No. Nope. Uh-uh. She wasn’t even sure she should be there with him. Maybe she was putting him in danger. Over the past few days, it had felt like she’d had eyes on her, but she wasn’t sure if she was just being paranoid. Would Silvers send someone to watch her?

Would Jardin be at risk if he had? Damned if she knew. She’d forced herself to cut things off with Carrick. Tonight, after work she was going to drop some money in his mailbox, hopefully she could do it without him seeing her. She felt bad for ignoring his texts and voicemails. Although, they’d stopped now. She guessed he’d gotten the message.

Her stomach dropped. She hoped he wasn’t too pissed off with her. It seemed to be something going around if the way her boss was clenching his jaw was any indication.

“I take it your silence means you’re not.”

“It’s better if you don’t know.”

“You’re in trouble,” he stated.

She shook her head. “My life . . . it’s complicated.”

“Whose life isn’t?”

Yeah, well, there was complicated and then there was having some raging psycho fixated on you.

“Over

the past two years, my ability to be patient and understanding has almost eroded. So has my tolerance for bullshit.”

Had he just said bullshit?

“You don’t need to tell me about your private life, Thea. However, I would appreciate you not bringing it to work with you.”