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Jessica’s laugh floated through the air. “I could do that.”
“… not really the type, are you, Garrett?”
I jerked my gaze back to my table at the sound of my name. Elizabeth was watching me closely, and I gave her a broad smile, though I was panicking a little inside. If I wasn’t careful, everyone would see right through me.
Reagan jumped in, saying, “Oh, I don’t know about that. Garrett seems like he could be the romantic type. At least, he was on our date the other night.” She batted her eyelashes at me, and for a moment, I just looked at her, bewildered.
Then she flattened her lips, looking surreptitiously at Jessica then back at me, raising her eyebrows so slightly no one else was likely to notice.
Catching on, I laughed. “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?”
After that, I made a point of listening more closely to the women at the table, trying hard not to eavesdrop on the conversation at the next table. It wasn’t easy, though, especially when Jessica said, “How about tonight?”
I shoved a forkful of eggs in my mouth, chewing viciously, wanting to punch that dude in the face and barely restraining myself.
Reagan pushing her foot down hard on mine kept me in place. I’d have to thank her later and find a way to keep my feelings under wraps before I ruined everything.
* * *
The hiketo the waterfall was okay. It was nice to get outside, and it gave me a chance to get to know Reagan more, but the whole time I kept thinking about Jessica being off in town with that soldier. I was pretty distracted, and if it weren’t for Reagan carrying the conversation, it might have been the most boring date ever—because of me and my disinterest.
Stephanie was nice, but my heart just wasn’t in this anymore. Not that it ever really had been. I’d all but decided to take Reagan up on her deal, so now it just felt like a formality. Something that was keeping me away from my work and from the woman I really wanted to spend my time with.
I walked the women back to their rooms, dropping Stephanie off first. Outside Reagan’s door, Reagan turned to me. “You’re going to have to do a better job of hiding your feelings for Jessica. I’ve been onto you for a while, but others are going to start noticing if you aren’t careful.”
I sighed, scraping a hand over my jaw. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll do better.”
“My offer still stands, but you need to know this—if you choose me, I’m not okay with you flaunting a mistress around. I won’t be disrespected publicly, even if we have an arrangement.”
I held my hands up. “Yes, of course. You’re right. And I really am sorry. I just haven’t been myself lately. The stress of being unable to work and having to decide who to send home and who to keep… it's just wearing me down.”
Reagan nodded, giving me a small smile. “I understand. So have you given my proposition more thought?”
“I have.”
She arched a brow. “And?”
“I’ll let you know something soon, but I can promise you this—you’ll have your council position.”
She nodded. “Good to know. You won’t regret it.”
I said goodnight and left her there then headed straight up to the third-floor to Jessica’s suite. I knocked impatiently, and when she didn’t answer, I let myself in.
The room was dark, but too still. She wasn’t here.
I heaved a frustrated breath. Still out with that soldier, then. Flipping on some lights, I stalked into the kitchenette and checked out her cabinets. Lucky for me, there was an unopened fifth of whiskey. Maybe that would take the edge off my nerves.
Grabbing a glass, I took it and the bottle to the couch and poured myself a double. If she didn’t get back soon, at least I had the alcohol to keep me company. I knocked it back and poured myself another.
Then I settled in to wait.
20
JESSICA
Istepped into my suite, frowning when I noticed all the lights were on. Hadn’t I turned everything off before I took Ryker into town? Then the scent of pine and leather hit me.
Garrett was here.
