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“Thank you,” Felicity said. She accepted the beverage that Savannah had poured into a frosty mug.
“Maybe it would be a good idea for me to sign the papers now,” Austin said, seemingly oblivious to his sister’s smile. He took the file and used the pen Felicity had clipped to the front of the folder, wanting to be prepared in case he had wanted to meet her down in the lobby to sign. “Do you have the email address where they need to go?”
“Yes, it’s on a sticky note on the inside of the cover.”
Austin checked and tapped it with his finger. “Be right back.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to do that for you?” Felicity asked. She knew there was a scanner in his home office. It was the same model they used in the FI office. “I’d be happy to.”
Austin waved away her offer. “I’ve got this. Relax and enjoy your beer.”
After Austin was out of the room, Savannah asked, “How long have you been with Fortune Investments now, Felicity?”
“It’s been almost five years.”
“Has it really been that long? I remember when you started. Seems like yesterday.”
“Seems that way to me, too.”
“Does that brother of mine treat you all right?”
“Austin’s a great boss,” Felicity said. “How many bosses take their assistants to dinner at a place like R’evolution? Are you familiar with that restaurant?”
Savannah’s eyes widened as she nodded. “Of course. It’s a great place. Very romantic.”
Yes, it was. Very.
But she didn’t admit that to Savannah. “Well, I don’t know about that.”
“When were you there?”
“Last night.”
Savannah’s eyes lit up and Felicity got the feeling that she’d just revealed something she shouldn’t have. Suddenly, she felt like she was swimming in water way beyond her depth.
“When were you where?” Austin asked, returning to the living room.
Felicity turned and saw him standing behind her holding the folder of documents he’d scanned and emailed. Her cheeks warmed. She hadn’t heard him enter the room. How much of the conversation had he overheard and what did he think of her talking to Savannah about their dinner last night?
That Savannah was a wily one. She seemed to have a talent for getting people to talk about things they shouldn’t. Felicity didn’t believe Savannah was doing this out of malice, but the air in the room had definitely changed.
“I was just asking Felicity if she’d like to join us for family dinner tonight.”
Felicity’s heart leaped into her throat. Then, when she saw the look of utter horror on Austin’s face, it plunged into her stomach.
“You did what?” he said.
“You heard me. Dad’s out of town. Things will be a little more casual tonight. Why not bring her to dinner? Mom would love to have her join us.”
He turned to Felicity and before she even heard what he had to say, one thought flew into her head: Oh, dear God, just kill me now.
“Felicity, please allow me to apologize on behalf of my sister. I know you have much more important things to do than to endure a Fortune family dinner.” He pinned Savannah with a pointed look. “Believe me, if I had the choice, I wouldn’t go tonight.”
Felicity was usually pretty good at reading a situation and knowing what to do. But this felt weird, as if she was looking at it as she swam under water with her eyes open. The best thing she could do right now would be to leave. She didn’t understand what was happening between Austin and his sister, but he was clearly not happy about Savannah issuing an invitation to dinner. And why had she done that? She hadn’t even brought it up until Austin entered the room. Clearly, the invitation was meant to rankle him.
And it had.
This was Felicity’s cue to bow out gracefully before things got more awkward. She needed to excuse herself and leave.
“Thank you for thinking of me, Savannah, but I have plans this evening.” She glanced at her watch. “In fact, I should leave now so I can get back to the office and button up a few things before I call it a day. Chaz, it was so nice to meet you. I’ll probably see both of you at the ball.”
