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My pulse pounded in my chest. “More? What did you find Dec?”
“Say thank you and you’re the best, and I’ll tell you.”
I puffed. “Thank you, you’re the best.”
“Not like that. The way you used to say it to me. Like you mean it.”
“I’m sick.” I lied. “Thank you for telling me, it means a lot to me. You’re the best.”
“That’s my good girl. I miss you so much. I keep thinking about how you look now. I’d love to take you out. My friends are all asking about you.”
I clenched my jaw. “I’m busy with work. So….”
“If you want the video, you’ll go to lunch with me tomorrow.”
I covered my mouth. “You have found the last video…?” I had searched for years for the video of me and my parents from the last year of our lives together, but never could find it. “Where did you find it?”
“Heather… I mean, I was cleaning out my place and found it. It’s good. Even has the first dinner I came down to.”
I pushed my hair back. “Thank you, Declan. But I won’t be able to do lunch.”
“But you want the video, don’t you? You can’t spare an hour after I found this for you? It’s only a friendly lunch. Salomé’s show courtesy and respect to everyone.”
I stopped myself from the retort I wanted to say back to him using my father’s words to get his way. “Fine next Thursday. I have a lot of work to do and I won’t be able to take more than an hour for lunch.” I paused and pulled up my calendar. “How about between 12:00 and 1:00? I have a meeting at 1:15 with Gregor.”Well, I do now.
He blew out and I knew he was smoking again. “Hmm. Okay. Good. I’ll pick you up next Thursday. But I thought they were important to you.”
My face fell. I didn’t know how to answer that. So I said, “I thought you quit smoking?”
He chuckled. “See? You still care about me.” Before I could respond, he hung up. I groaned in frustration. Why wouldn’t he leave me alone? I thought bitterly. I heard more from him since I saw him at the hotel than when he broke up with me. Not to mention, he’s engaged. Taking a deep breath, I sent a text message to Jonas.
Thank you for the CDs and the surprise addition of luggage. I don’t know how this all works, but I would prefer no gifts. I hope you’re over your jet lag. See you.
Before I could put it away, another call came in. “Declan?” I growled.
“No. Jonas,” Jonas voice was curt. “You speaking with him?”
I bit my lip. “He called.”
Jonas sighed. “I don’t want you speaking with him.”
I narrowed my brow. “He called to tell me he found photos and videos of my family.”
“Okay. So he’s sending them to you?” he asked.
His words hung in the air. I didn’t want to upset him by telling him I agreed to go to lunch with Declan, but I also didn’t want to lie. Why did I need to explain myself?Unbelievable.
“I’m sure he’ll send them to me,” I said quietly.
“Hmmm. Fair enough,” he said. “Now, I got your message. What do you mean by ‘how this works’?”
I closed my eyes. “It’s late here and I have to run with Natasha tomorrow. Early.”
“To hell with your run with Natasha. I want your answer.”
I pursed my mouth. “I bet you wouldn’t say that if it was something you had planned.”
“You know what I meant. Stop playing games, or you’ll face punishment the next time I’m in town.”
