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“I didn’t know we were having company,” he mentioned when he let go. He turned to face me. “What a lucky surprise.”
“Tom and I just sort of bumped into each other,” Melanie confessed shyly. I start to think maybe first impressions aren’t that reliable. “Anyway,” she added more candidly, “I’d best be going.” I watched as she smoothed her hair. Sam Watson watched too, captivated.
“Stay,” I offered. I could see that’s what she wanted. Clarification. And then, “I’m sure Mr. Watson won’t mind.”
His brow rose. “Fine by me.”
“I ordered you a scotch,” I said, turning my attention to him. “I hope that’s okay?” I saw the bottle in his office this morning, so I already know it is more than okay. I leave that part out.
“Perfect.” His focus was on Melanie.
“You seem familiar…”
No, she doesn’t.
“Everyone says that,” she told him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s my face, I think.”
“So, you’re not from here?”
Melanie shook her head. “Boise.”
“Wow.” Sam laughed boisterously. “Can’t say I was expecting that.”
She smiled with her eyes.
“What brings you to Houston?” Sam asked.
“A job.”
“You?”
She laughed playfully. Nervously. “What is that supposed to mean?”
It means he’s a pretentious prick, that’s what it means.
Before he could answer, I stepped in. Marking my territory. Lying where I knew it would serve me. I didn’t want to spend a second longer than necessary in this town, in this bar. I wanted to close the deal, and I’d just learned exactly the kind of bait I needed to do it. “Melanie is interviewing with New Hope.”
She gave me a sideways glance. “It’s just Mel.”
“Forgive me,” I said, lifting my water from the table. “Just Mel is considering a job with the church.”
Watson’s face offered a satisfied look. “For the project Mark has been telling me about?”
I’m not sure which one he’s speaking of so I simply say, “We’re not sure yet.”
“Well, amen for that,” he said, I assume before he realized he hadn’t had enough to drink to be that brazen in front of someone he was looking to impress. “Man,” he added as he straightened his back. He must have wanted to get a better look at her tits because his eyes were not where they should have been when he spoke next. “They’ll be very lucky to have you.”
“I haven’t made any firm decisions.” Thankfully, she didn’t notice Watson being rude because her eyes were watching me.
Sam finished his scotch in one gulp. “Leave it to Tom to kill two birds with one stone.”
He motioned the bartender for another. “I’ve heard about this guy…”
Melanie smiled. “Yes, I get the feeling Tom is very good at double dealing.”
I downed the last of my water. “Not as good as I’d like to be.”
Chapter Three
