Secret Indiscretions (Carson Cove Scandals 2)

“You did look like you were a little angry at the world.” She leaned back in her chair and sighed. “I didn’t even want to approach you—but Taylor insisted…”

“Then you see the problem.” I took a sip of my beer. “If I have someone with me, I’ll be able to say hello and walk away. The interaction will be a brief instead of a bunch of questions about how I’m doing—while she quietly judges whether or not she should let the kids spend time with me.”

“Do you really think she would do that?” Melanie blinked in surprise.

“Honestly?” I took another sip of my beer. “I don’t even fucking know anymore. I thought we were going to have an amicable divorce—instead, she forced me to sell my company so she could cash-out of our marriage. If it hadn’t been for Bryant…”

“Taylor mentioned that.” Melanie nodded. “She didn’t know all of the details, but she said Bryant bought the company and let you say on as CEO.”

“Yeah, and while I have no interest in getting back together with my ex-wife, I’m still pissed off about that.” I shook my head and narrowed my eyes. “I’d prefer not to have an opportunity to say something about it at the wedding—and if she starts pushing, I might not be able to keep my head on my shoulders.”

“So that’s it? I just go with you to the wedding and pretend to be your date?” Melanie’s face twisted into a look of contemplation.

We’ll call it pretending… That’s what it should be, anyway…

“It’s as simple as that.” I put some fake enthusiasm in my voice.

“Okay.” She nodded. “I don’t guess there’s any harm in it.”

“You’ll still have a job if you say no…” I leaned back and shrugged. “This is just a favor for your new boss.”

“I already said yes.” She smiled and reached for her wine.

“Thank you.” I closed my eyes, and a sigh of relief rushed across my lips. “This means more than you could ever realize.”

And now—I’m officially in trouble—because that smile is going to melt my fucking soul if I’m not careful.

* * *

The next day

Melanie and I worked out a few details for the wedding, and I told her to stop by the office one day during the week after class to review her employment contract. We could add the salary once it was negotiated. She was working at Moretti’s and wanted to give them a proper notice before she quit, but then she would start working for me part-time until graduation. I felt better about the other part of our arrangement once we discussed it—it didn’t feel quite as wrong as I thought it would be when I went over it in my head. We were both going to the wedding—it wasn’t going to hurt anything for us to pretend that we were there together for a few hours.

“Good morning, Jon!” Gina looked up and slightly bounced in her chair when she saw me approaching her desk.

Where the fuck does, she get that much energy on a Monday morning?

“Morning, Gina.” I gave her a nod. “Can you see if I’ve got room on my calendar for a meeting with Joanna this afternoon?”

“Sure thing!” She nodded enthusiastically.

I walked into my office, sipped my coffee, and turned on my light. I didn’t have as much energy as Gina, but I was feeling a little more refreshed than normal. It helped that I didn’t drink much the previous night—maybe that was the first step towards cutting back some. I certainly needed to. I walked to my desk and was just about to set my coffee down when I noticed something in the middle of it that wasn’t there when I left the office on Saturday. It was a pink carnation—and an envelope with the same hue. My name was written on the outside of the envelope in fancy calligraphy. I immediately walked to the door and pulled it open.

“Gina, has anyone been in my office?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

Obviously, someone has—but how?

“Uh, not that I’m aware of.” She shook her head back and forth. “I was the first one here this morning…”

“Thanks…” I closed my door and stared at my desk.

The Carnation Club is still around? …And I’ve been chosen?

Chapter Five

Melanie

“You’re quitting?” Lauren, one of the waitresses that worked with me, stared in disbelief as I shared the news.