“I know,” I agreed. “Hard to think of something. I know they asked for donations to their favorite shelter in lieu of gifts, which I plan to do, but I want to get them something.”

“Me too. Wanna get together tomorrow and do a little shopping? Maybe we can find something and do lunch. I haven’t seen you for a few weeks. We need to catch up.”

A tremor of guilt went through me. I hadn’t seen my sister because I’d been too busy with Jaxson. And now I had to refuse her yet again.

“Sorry, kiddo. I’m working. We have a really intense case and a deadline.”

“All weekend?” she asked, sounding disappointed.

“Yeah.” I swallowed down the guilt. “How about we meet on Tuesday night for dinner? We can do some shopping after?”

“Okay, that works. Addi called earlier to remind me of the dress fittings on Monday. I’m sure she’ll be calling you too.”

“You’re probably right. We can firm everything up Monday night.”

“You want to drive with me? I can pick you up after work.”

“Perfect.”

“Okay, see you at six?”

“Sounds great.”

She hung up, and I arrived at the hotel. I thanked the doorman as he opened the heavy glass door with a flourish. I stepped inside the welcome warmth of the lobby, looking around curiously. Opulent. Decadent. Those were two words that came to mind. Soft music played. A bar was situated in the far corner, the muted sounds of voices drifting across the lobby. Large, deep chairs and sofas were scattered around. The scent of flowers and pine filled the area. I pulled off my gloves, rubbing my hands together. It had turned colder outside, and my walk hadn’t been as pleasant as I hoped, aside from the call from my sister. Jaxson would be annoyed that I hadn’t taken a cab, so I decided I would wait a few moments before calling him to let him know I was here and warm up. But as I approached a seating area, I saw him. He sat on the other side of the lobby, a drink on the table beside him. He was still in his suit, his tie in place, a newspaper on his lap. As I watched, he lifted the drink to his lips, and his gaze met mine. The arrogant, slightly bored expression left his face as our eyes locked, and a smile played on his lips, the cleft in his chin deepening. I headed his way, slowly tucking my gloves into my pocket, our gazes never leaving each other. It felt as if I hadn’t seen him in weeks, not a couple of hours. The longing, the need to touch him, to feel his mouth on mine was paramount. His hooded gaze told me he was feeling the same way I was, his look of desire blazing my way, making my breath catch.

Then a woman stepped in front of me. “Jaxson? Is that you?”

I stopped, instinctually veering away and taking a seat to the side. I casually unbuttoned my coat, watching surreptitiously as Jaxson spoke with the older woman. He had risen from his chair and shaken her hand, then did the same when the man I assumed was her husband joined her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Meeting a client,” he stated smoothly. “He’s staying here but running behind. I thought I’d have a drink and catch up on emails while I wait.”

“Oh, do join us for a drink.”

“He’ll be here any moment.”

“I won’t take no for an answer. He can meet you at the bar.”

“Perhaps another time.”

She crooked her arm around his. “You always put us off. One drink. We’re heading out to meet friends, so it will be quick, but I must insist.”

“Fine.”

As they moved past me, he spoke again, while typing on his phone. “It will have to be a fast one. I hate keeping people waiting.”

I glanced up from my phone I had pulled from my pocket. A text flashed with a set of numbers.

Jaxson: 3040

For a moment, I frowned, then a waiter appeared by my elbow. “Drink, madame?”

“Yes, please. A dirty martini. Extra dirty.”

I waited until it arrived and signed the bill with the room number Jaxson had sent. I sipped the cocktail in appreciation and scrolled through my phone. The anticipation I had been feeling was flat now, reality biting me in the ass. I was something to be hidden. Even though I knew it was necessary for both our sakes, it still rankled.

My phone buzzed, and I saw Addi’s name. I answered, grateful for the distraction.

“Hey, you.”

“Hi, yourself. Am I catching you at a bad time?”

I took another sip of my drink, tugging an olive off the stick and chewing it. “No, waiting on a friend. Just having a martini.”

“A dirty one?”

“Yep.”

“Bad day?”

I chuckled. “What makes you say that?”

“Because you only drink dirty martinis when you’re pissed off. Tough day at the office?”

Tags: Melanie Moreland Vested Interest - ABC Corp Romance
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